BIRD Aerosystems has secured a contract to supply its Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS), featuring the SPREOS (Self-Protection Radar Electro-Optic System) DIRCM, to an additional African Air Force. The contract includes the delivery of a comprehensive self-protection suite for Mi-17/8 and Mi-35 helicopters, ensuring enhanced survivability against missile threats.
This agreement represents a significant milestone in the African Air Force’s ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet with combat-proven missile defense solutions that enhance pilot survivability and strengthen national airspace security. As part of the contract, BIRD Aerosystems will also provide comprehensive training for pilots and maintenance crews, ensuring operational proficiency and long-term system sustainability.
Ronen Factor, Co-Chief Executive Officer of BIRD Aerosystems, stated: “We are witnessing an increasing global demand for advanced airborne self-protection systems as air forces seek to enhance their defense capabilities. This latest agreement further expands BIRD’s portfolio of international contracts, reinforcing the trust in our combat-proven self-protection solutions. By integrating our cutting-edge technology into additional Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopter fleets, we take pride in contributing to crew protection and mission success in high-threat environments.”
BIRD’s solutions are operationally deployed by different customers in Africa, including forces of the UN operating in Mali, Somalia, and other conflict zones.
In August 2019, the Israeli company received a contract from the United Nations to provide its airborne missile protection system (AMPS) to the Mi-17 helicopters operating in Africa.
Again, in November 2021, the company announced that it had delivered its AMPS-MD with the SPREOS DIRCM to another customer, and successfully installed it on his Mi-17 helicopters.
Also, in July 2022, Following several previous successful installations of BIRD’s solutions on UN Air Operations aircraft, the company announced that it has completed another installation of its AMPS-MV Airborne Missile Protection System, which includes the MACS sensor, on UN Air Operations Mi-17 helicopters. Ready for immediate operational use, The AMPS-MV systems will protect the UN Air Operations VIPs when flying in Africa.
Furthermore, this January, BIRD Aerosystems announced the receipt of a significant order from an African Ministry of Defense (MOD) to supply its Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS). This cutting-edge solution will be deployed to protect the fleet of Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopters from advanced missile threats, including MANPADS. Delivery is expected during 2025.
Bird Aerosystems presented its Airborne Surveillance, Information and Observation (ASIO) solutions and at the Africa Airforce Forum in Senegal in 2023.
BIRD’s AMPS missile protection system provides the most enhanced protection for military and civilian aircraft against the growing threat of ground-to-air missiles (MANPADS). AMPS automatically detects, verifies, and foils SAM attacks through the effective use of countermeasure decoys (Flares and Chaff) and by Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) that jam the missile’s IR seeker and protect the aircraft.
