| Acquisition and upgrading program of IAR-99 ŞOIM aircraft |
| Acquisition and upgrading program
of advanced trainer IAR-99 ŞOIM includes the acquisition of 24 IAR-99
SOIM aircraft, equipped with modern avionics and weapon systems
aiming at the accomplishment of the following goals: - improve training of the pilots subjeted to conversion to MiG-21 Lancer; - perform high-precision close air support missions; - training of the young cadets in the second stage of pilot training, who are to be admitted for flying other advanced aircraft, including those of F-16, F-18 or JAS-39 Grippen level. Introduction into inventory of IAR-99 Soim aircraft provides the conditions for meeting the requirements concerning interoperability with NATO forces. |
IAR-99 ŞOIM aircraft has an integrated avionics system with an computer-assisted architecture (a MMRC computer similar to MIG-21 Lancer's), modern communications including frequency-stepping radios software-controlled, an integrated weapon system, gun, lase-guided bombs, air-to-air missiles R-60 MK, r-13 M, Python-3 connected to a DASH system.
It is also provided with an up-to-date inertial navigation system, GPS-INS and low-visibility landing control systems (VOR, ILS, DME). Flying and navigation data are displayed on HUD (Head-up Display), on the helmet DASH and MFDC color displays.
One of the best elements of the aircraft avionics is virtual training system which allows, based on Data Link system, in-flight simulations of firing and air combat capabilities using two or more aircraft.
The program started based on:
- Minister of Defense's approval of the Report no.SA2/497/1996 concerning IAR-99 aircraft modernization;
- Romania's High Defense Council's approval of the Report no. SA2/201/1999 concerning IAR-99 aircraft modernization;
- Agreement no.02/109/2004 concluded by Elbit Systems Ltd. and C.N. Romtehnica SA on purchasing the IInd Pool of IAR-99 SOIM aircraft.
CURRENT STATUS
Contracts
Based on Agreement no. 02/056/2000 from 14.12.2000 between R.A. ROMTEHNICA and ELBIT SYSTEMS Ltd. the first four serial aircraft are finalized.
Based on Agreement no.02/109/2004 from 20.10.2004 between R.A. ROMTEHNICA and ELBIT SYSTEMS Ltd. program completion is provided by purchasing 8 IAR-99 SOIM aircraft (3 newly made and 5 upgraded) as well as a logistic package and a flight simulator for this type of aircraft.
Delivery
First pool: Serial production started on 05.09.2001 and finished in 2003 when aircraft no.719, 720, 721 and 722 were delivered.
Second pool: Serial production (8 aircraft: 723, 711, 712, 724, 717,
709m 725 and 713) started in December 2004 and it is to be finalized
in August 2008. The first aircraft will be delivered in May 2006, and
the others within a 4 month interval up to August 2008.
