Possible Radar for further MiG21upgrades

Hello all,

I have read reports of an option for an upgrade of further 50 mig 21s of the IAF. Perhaps this is a good idea considering that the MRCA decision might take some time. 🙁 I was wondering, in case such a thing does happen and more Mig 21s are upgraded, would it be a better idea to go with the EL 2032M radar instead of the Kopyo M?

I have heard of conflicting reports regarding their performance, and am totally confused:

The IAI shows the EL 2032M w. a range of 80 NM (almost 100 miles i guess) + SAR mode etc! http://www.iai.co.il/site/en/iai.asp?pi=26340&doc_id=26591
while a milparade article compares the KopyoM more favorably vs the el 2032 (range wise and otherwise) http://milparade.udm.ru/25/070.htm. I have always read of the Kopyo having a range of around 50kms approx. for a/c size targets.

Whats the deal here? :confused: If they EL2032m is a better radar, why didn’t the IAF go for it in the first place? (Is it because the kopyo is compatible with a greater variety of missiles/munitions? Is the elta a lot more expensive? or is the kopyo simply much better performance wise – as the milparade article suggests?) Whatsmore, I do believe the romanians had a plan to upgrade 50 of thier MiG21s with the EL 2032M (why if the kopyo is so much better?)

What saith the wise men of the forum?

Regards,
USS.