Mikoyan-Gurevich MIG - 29
At the end of the 1970s, the former Soviet Union was faced with a new generation of NATO-fighters conceived for air superiority. Including the F-15, F-16 and F-18. In response to this changed reality, they order the design agency and aircraft manufacturer Mikoyan-Gurevich to develop an aircraft that could deal with the NATO threat. The result of this order, the MIG-29, entered Soviet service in 1983, followed by other airforces of the Warsaw Pact and elsewhere a few years later. Contrary to the F-16, the Mig-29 has 2 engines instead of one and hydraulic controls rather than fly-by-wire.
Spotting @ EBBR - Brussels Airport 2021
While originally oriented towards combat against any enemy aircraft, many MiG-29s have been furnished as multirole fighters capable of performing a number of different operations, and are commonly outfitted to use a range of air-to-surface armaments and precision munitions.
The MiG-29 has been manufactured in several major variants, including the multirole Mikoyan MiG-29M and the navalised Mikoyan MiG-29K; the most advanced member of the family to date is the Mikoyan MiG-35.
Later models frequently feature improved engines, glass cockpits with HOTAS-compatible flight controls, modern radar and IRST sensors, and considerably increased fuel capacity; some aircraft have also been equipped for aerial refuelling.
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the militaries of a number of former Soviet republics have continued to operate the MiG-29, the largest of which is the Russian Air Force. The Russian Air Force wanted to upgrade its existing fleet to the modernised MiG-29SMT configuration, but financial difficulties have limited deliveries. The MiG-29 has also been a popular export aircraft; more than 30 nations either operate or have operated the aircraft to date, India being one of the largest export operators of the type. As of 2013, the MiG-29 is in production by Mikoyan, a subsidiary of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) since 2006.
Role
Origin
Manufacturer
First flight
Introduction
Status
Primary users
Number built
Unit cost
Variants
Air superiority fighter, multirole fighter
Soviet Union, Russia
Mikoyan
6 October 1977
July 1982
In service
Russian Air Force
Indian Air Force
Ukrainian Air Force
Yugoslavia Air Force
German Air Force (Former Eastern Germany)
1,600
US$11 million (MiG-29B, 1984, 1999)
US$29 million (average cost, 2009)
Mikoyan MiG-29M
Mikoyan MiG-29K
Mikoyan MiG-35
