Special to WorldTribune.com

AMMAN — Jordan and the United States have been examining a Syrian
Air Force MiG-21 flown by a defector from the regime of President Bashar
Assad.

Jordanian sources said the MiG-21 was examined by technical crews from
the United States and Hashemite kingdom.

The sources said the two sides sought to determine the capability of the MiG-21 to avoid radar detection and surface-to-air missiles.

“It’s been a long time since the West has been able to inspect
a Syrian combat aircraft,” a source said.

The MiG-21 was flown to Jordan by a Syrian defector on June 21. The
sources said the MiG was supplied by Russia more than 40 years ago and underwent several upgrades.

The sources said the Royal Jordanian Air Force assigned a technical team to examine the radar, munitions and counter-measures system on the MiG-21. They said the Syrian combat aircraft, held at the air base in Mafraq, was also equipped with extended-range fuel tanks.

Jordan has pledged to return the MiG to Syria. The sources said the
return could take place soon depending on logistical arrangements.

  Bashar Assad, Mafraq air base, MiG-21 flown by Syrian defector checked out by U.S., Royal Jordanian Air Force, Russian-made MiG-21, U.S.