According to the Argentine site Aviación Completa , Russia has offered Sovet-era 12 MiG-35 fighters with an estimated cost of $55 million per aircraft and Mi-171 helicopters to Argentina.
The offer would have been made within the framework of the VII Inter-governmental Commission for Technical Cooperation – Argentina and Russian Federation, held from February 17 to 19, 2021, by the head of the Russian delegation and the deputy director of the Federal Cooperation Service Military. (SFCTM), Anatoly Punchuk, with the Russian Ambassador to Argentina, Dmitry Feoktistov. The offer also included other ground and anti-aircraft defense systems.
During this face-to-face contact, the Russian delegation formalized the proposal and presented information on the performance and capabilities of the fourth Generation fighter, which is an improved version of the 1980s MiG-29 Fulcrum.
Regarding the MiG-35, the Russian Federation proposes a government-to-government cooperation and promised to provide logistics throughout the life cycle of the system, unlimited access to weapons, while the Argentine FAdeA aircraft factory would take care of the maintenance of the total system.
Ruslan Tsalikov, deputy defense minister of Russian Federation amongst the delegates visited Argentina said in statement that if a government-to-government cooperation agreement is reached about the sale of MiG-35 and Argentina bears the cost of development of MiG-35 aircraft then Russia would allow the export of MiG-35 at an estimated cost of $55 million apiece.
Still according to Full Aviation, Argentine side proposed an intention to buy 12 Su-35 fighter with a similar price tag and financial guarantee from Russian Federation.
About MiG-35
According to the manufacturer, the MiG-35 has a maximum takeoff weight of 24,500 kg, with a maximum weapon load of 6,500 kg.
The MiG-35 is equipped with RD-33MK engines, which guarantee great maneuverability, a high thrust-to-weight ratio and capability in aerial combat.
It can carry a wide range of weapons, bombs, rockets, and a variety of missile types.
The aircraft is equipped with the latest generation of multifunction displays and a mechanically steered Pulse Doppler Radar, capable of tracking up to 15 aerial targets simultaneously. It also has an optoelectronic recognition system and an infrared sensor for the search, monitoring and visualization of the air, land and sea space.
The avionics system and open software architecture allow the use of the full range of standard and advanced aeronautical armament and weaponry and weapons integration.
© 2021, GDC. © GDC and www.globaldefensecorp.com. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to www.globaldefensecorp.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.