France has quietly loaned Snecma and Thales some $51 million to fund their share of a first batch of fifteen MiG-AT combat trainers. This is a new jet trainer designed and built in Russia, but to reach the best export market, the Russians are using French engines and avionics. The problem is that the Russian government does not have its $80 million share of the cost and the program is at a stand still.--Stephen V Cole