Elbit Wins $70M Order to Upgrade Bulgaria’s Helicopters (updated)

MI-24 Hind(click to view full) In December 2005, this article reported that Israeli firm Elbit Systems Ltd. has signed a EUR 57.3 million ($70 million) contract for a helicopter upgrade program with the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense. The program included upgrades for 12 MI-24 Hind combat helicopters and 6 MI-17 Hip transport helicopters to comply with NATO standards. The program was expected to be performed over a three-year period, and would be executed with the participation of Bulgarian aerospace and defense industries. See complete news release [PDF format] Elbit Systems was chosen as the contractor for the repair of the helicopters in competition with British BAE Systems and French Sagem. A March 5, 2007 Elbit release, however, notes that the project has been canceled by mutual agreement, and a settlement reached… Background: Both Sides of the Fence Israeli experience refurbishing captured Soviet arms has helped its firms do a good business over the years upgrading Soviet equipment to compliance with Western/NATO standards, and its avionics industry is very advanced. Elbit Systems has performed numerous major helicopter upgrades of both western and eastern rotary platforms. Since joining the NATO alliance in March 2004, Bulgaria has struggled to find the funds required […]