The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has ordered 12 jet fighters.
Army spokesman Maj. Shaban Bantariza confirmed yesterday that the army is to buy jet fighters.
He, however, declined to name the number of jets or the country from which they are to be imported.
“We are not only getting jet fighters but other equipment as well,” Bantariza said. “I cannot tell you from
where or how many as that would be revealing our secrets to our adversaries.”
He said that some of the jets would be interceptors and others offensive.
Top military sources told The Monitor that the army sent experts to Canada and Libya to inspect the jets.
“In Canada there is a dealer in MiG-21 and MiG-26* who has shown interest in supplying the fighters,” a
source said. “We are also looking at the opportunity of getting refurbished ones from Libya.”
The source said that President Yoweri Museveni said he wants a squadron to boost the four jets the
UPDF has.
The army has sent 16 officers to be trained as pilots and technicians in Libya.
The last time UPDF acquired jet fighters was a few years ago.
They acquired two jets, which were taken to Israel for refurbishment**.
In 1998 the army got four Mi-24 attack helicopters from Belarus whose airworthiness was questionable.
Only two were delivered after UPDF pilots rejected to fly the first two.
* I assume the reference should be MiG-23, not MiG-26 as stated.
** Polish AF MiG-21s that went to IAI for re-work. There were certainly more than two, however…
Steve / Touchdown-News
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December 5, 2002 at 4:55 pm