Russians demand right to upgrade Polish helicopters to NATO standards

Representatives of Moscow-based MIL Helicopters Factory, have arrived in Poland to propose that they upgrade Mi-24 helicopters owned by the Polish army to NATO standards. However, the government wants the helicopters to be modernized by local firms with help from Western aviation concerns. The Russian's would only supply spare parts, but they are against the idea. They warned that if their proposals are rejected legal steps will be taken. "As owners of the Mi-24 brand we refuse to allow any company to changes our products without our permission. We will defend our rights in the court," said Jurij Adrianov, president of MIL. The Russian's hold the trump cards, not only do they own the patents and industrial rights, but also the spare parts and technical plans. "We are counting on cooperation from the Russian side. The actual work will take place in Lodz, as Russia is not a NATO member and cannot have access to all the documents and information," said a representative of the Military Aviation Factory in Lodz. "We are ready to consider any proposal, but for over a year no one has wanted to talk with us," said Adrianov. (Rzeczpospolita, pp. B1, B4) A.D.