By Ryszard Jaxa-Malachowski
AWN Central European Correspondent

In late October, the Romanian capital of Bucharest witnessed the country's first military fair - Expomil '99. The successful event drew 89 participants, of which 61 were domestic manufacturers and the remaining 28 coming from abroad - mainly from Europe.

Expomil took place as privatization of the Romanian aviation industry has started to gear up. The first project indicating this turn of events was announced well before the fair began, with Aerostar, while the privatization of IAR Brasow was revealed only a week before. The third company, Cariovia, will be the last one offered for sale perhaps some time next year.

Another important development regarding the forthcoming privatization is the planned rebalancing of research and development financing. For the next two years all projects are to be covered by the State, however after that, some 40% of funds are to come from the commercial market.

Also more efforts will be put toward achieving the duality of developed products and technologies, enabling them to find way to serve both military and civilian markets.

Romania itself is running 18 major upgrade programs, of which more than half are directly or indirectly related to the aviation and missile industries. These are ensuring short- and/or medium-term stability for all engaged parties, however they eventually need to look further into the future.

The exhibition featured three well known major aviation projects: MiG-21 led by Aerostar, IAR-330 Puma from Iar Brasow, and IAR-99 Soim of Avioane Craiova. All three are making progress but at very different speeds.

Aerostar has officially delivered 74 upgraded Lancers, but although these have entered service they remain unpaid due to financial difficulties faced by the Romanian MOD. A large number of aircraft in front-line service allowed Aerostar to present a formation of five fighters flying over the crowd during the aerial presentation. There have been some signs of possible foreign aircraft upgrades, but the company declined to comment on it. What was new was the MiG-21 with its whole available weaponry and external equipment, including FLIR and reconnaissance pods as well a wide range of smart weapons (the AIG-84 Maverick and fully conventional ones).

Brasov was proud as only days before Expomil it managed to fly its second prototype of the Socat modernized Puma helicopter. The military certification process seems to be well underway and production is to be initiated in the middle of next year with an initial batch of 24 helicopters. The second prototype was flown during the air display at the show. The ensured governmental orders might speed up competition for Brasov's stock, now seeking a new strategic investor.

The third product - the trainer and light attack Soim - is also pretty close to production. Some 40 units are expected to be manufactured at Craiova. The company is pursuing the export market, finding its plane to be the cheapest on the market.

Certainly what was brand new came from Aerostar. Last year the Brasow-based company was named an integrator for the MiG-29 upgrade program. Major goals marked in the plan are: increasing the aircraft's operational capabilities, general upgrading to updated technology, and decreasing operational and life cycle costs. The company has selected two foreign partners, Elbit and DASA, to accomplish the entire program. The model shown at Expomil features two large 6x8 color HDD, new HOTAS, wide-angle HUD, much larger than this on MiG-21, and a number of other improvements. Like on the MiG-21, the upgraded aircraft is to have a new onboard computer and navigation platform. The overhaul and upgrade work has already started at Aerostar in Bacau and is expected to fly next spring.

Expomil was a debut platform for Electrooptica Ploiesti, of Arsenallul Armarei combined, to unveil number of programs including the modernization of the widely used Malutka anti-tank missiles, Strela 2-M, CA-54, RAV-RS and a range of ground-to-ground and air-to-ground missiles and rockets.

The Malutka has been upgraded in partnership with Euromissile. The Romanian company has increased the power of the missile's busters to carry larger and heavier weapons. Over the last few months some four were fired with mock-ups installed instead of real warheads, with all weight and dynamic compatibility ensured. Major results were satisfactory and the real weapon is to be tested for first time before the end of this year. Now the company is hoping to enter modernization process for the Romanian Army. The system will also be offered for export, and modernization can be accomplished within the local operator infrastructure. The new weapon seems to be very capable and due to the large popularity of Malutkas, the export market potential is wide, especially as there is no need to modernize the launchers.

The Malutka M2T was also presented on the new Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which is armed with automatic 25 mm KDA gun, delivered by Oerlicon and associated with two missiles. The common day/night periscope-sighting element of Israeli origin is used. Another interesting exhibit was a mock-up of RAV-RS high maneuverability infrared guided short-range air-to-air missile. Externally the design is very much similar to the Russian R-60 missile, which is in service with the local air force, however its internal design might be significantly different. The 45 kg heavy design is probably equipped with a seeker of Israeli origin. The range varies from 9 to 15 km depending on the position of the target. It can be locked on the target with the use of modern helmet, which can do that on its own after launching and locating the heat source. According to the manufacturer the system is compatible with R-60M and R-60MK missiles (AA-8) and can be used on all Eastern aircraft. It can also be easily integrated on helicopters like the locally updated Socat. Launching might be accomplished even under high G maneuvers, up to 8g.

Air defense was offered two different systems of older origin but with significant upgrades. The CA-95M is based on self-protecting AA-6 and fits on a wide range of vehicles. It was exhibited on an armed personnel carrier with four launching containers. It is dedicated to hit and destroy low flying targets in direct visibility but its sighting system contains infrared items enabling night operations as well. The missiles can also be integrated to the conventional guns controlled together by SHORAR automatic surveillance and acquisition radar and "Gun Star Night" fire control system.

The other upgrade is the CA-94, which has developed from the Russian Strela-2M. Trying to increase missile's kill ratio, designers introduced proximity fuses in it as well increased its destructive capabilities by installing a new warhead with improved explosives and high fragmentation elements. Also, the electronic systems underwent some modifications, including the introduction of hybrid technology giving it more stable and reliable operations. The CA-94s are backed up by training system called IAC-A94, which allows chip and effective training for gunners.

Three UAVs were exhibited of various size and capabilities. The largest one came from AAI Corporation with its Shadow-600 already introduced to front line service with the Romanian Air Force. The specialized unit remains inside the Air Force structure and develops operations with unmanned aircraft. Neither the Air Force nor the manufacturer wanted to unveil the number of aircraft operated, however it seems the unit is fully active since early this year, with a number of test and training months before. Romania was first to operate this product.

The other two UAVs - much smaller - came from local companies. Aviation Institute brought its IAR-T Aerial Vehicle, which was initiated in 1997. The aircraft is powered by a small engine with a takeoff weight of 20 kg, max speed of 180 km/h and endurance of one hour. It can operate in the range of 10 km, mainly due to the necessity of visual control, however a more complex control system is said to be under development. A small video camera can produce an image and send it to ground stations within real time, while a positioning system allows precision navigation. The main goals of the program are to create non-expensive platforms for aerial surveillance for both civil and military operators, in-flight researchers, microgravity tests, etc.

At the same time Arsenalul Armatei is offering the simple flying target ATT-1 capable of carrying thermal or other types of indicators. The company is working on a larger craft called ATT-2, which is to have extended operational capabilities including border control operations and other surveillance tasks.

Romania has been developing its own UAVs for a long time, but the results were apparently unacceptable for the army, as evidenced by the foreign designs introduced. However, strong progress has been made, according to MOD representatives.

The most noticeable presence within the Romanian aviation and military industry have been Israeli companies. They are present exclusively or as major partners in almost all significant military programs carried out in the Balkan country. Besides the MiG-29 program they also have leading positions in missile upgrade programs and have been successful with installing their own equipment on different military vehicles in the form of sighting systems, etc.

There were a number of Western companies looking for the opportunity to collaborate with the local aviation industry. Among those were British Aerospace, DASA and Fokker. The latter is offering to the Romanian MOD the mobile hospital, and as compensation collaboration might be established on deliveries to Fokker and its partners. Civilian aviation manufacturer Romaero is hoping to collaborate on the BAe Hawk which might compete against local Soim as well the Gripen in the long term. The upgrade program made to MiG-21s, and now undertaken on Mig-29s, delays future procurement needs to the year 2010. This gives a strong advantage to the European light fighter over its strongest American competitor, the Lockheed F-16. Strong hopes are also put on C4Is, which are getting top priority in future programs.

The F-16 was present at the show, but in the air only. Parallel to the exhibition there was a visit paid by Duchy F-16s. Under joint training, pilots from both countries were making familiarization flights on the other types.