The MiG-29 is a widely exported aircraft, flown by Russia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, North Korea, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Syria, Turkemenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Yemen and Yugoslavia.
In total, over 800 were delivered to the Soviet / Russian Tactical Air Forces and around 500 airframes prepared for initial export customers.
By 1989, it was serving in 12 different air forces around the world.
Presently, it is the only Russian aircraft on operational duty in NATO and serves in 21 air forces.
Brassey's reports that a total of 1216 MiG-29 single-seaters and 197 MiG-29UB dual-seaters were built by January 1985 (total of 1413). Since 1990, production was exclusively for export.
The MiG-29 has a few advantages over its more electronically advanced American counterparts. At about 40 miles apart, the American planes have the advantage because of avionics. At 10 miles the advantage is turning to the MiG. At five miles out, because of the MiG weapons sight and better maneuverability, the advantage is to the MiG.
The mission of the MiG-29 is to destroy hostile air targets within radar coverage limits and also to destroy ground targets using unguided weapons in visual flight conditions.
The aircraft's fixed-wing profile with large-wing leading-edge root extensions gives good manoeuvrability and control at subsonic speed, including manoeuvres at high angles of attack. The maximum operational g-loading is 9g.
The MiG29B was designed later on as a two-seated combat trainer.
There is also a MiG29C with extended fuel capacity, of the 21 Fulcrums the United States bought, 14 are the frontline Fulcrum C's, which also contains an active radar jammer in its spine, six Mig 29A versions and one B-model of training.
During 1989 and 1990 a naval version was also under testing under the name MiG29D.
The latest version of MiG29 is the Super Fulcrum, MiG29K.
The MiG-29K differed from the MiG-29 production model, featuring a new multi-function radar.
It is a highly improved MiG29, but unfortuately it hasn't been produced in great numbers.
The aircraft has a remote control system, large-area (42 m2 vs 38 m2) folding wing, adjustable center-line air intakes with retractable screens protecting the engines during operation from ground airfields, reinforced landing gear, hook, corrosion- protected reinforced fuselage made specifically for deck-based aircraft.
The German 'Bundeswehr' inherited 20 single-seater and 4 twin-seater MiG-29 aircraft from the former East German forces after the cold war.
After these Fulcrum aircraft had been upgraded to western standards, they received the designations MiG-29G (for Germany) and MiG-29GT (Germany/Trainer).
The MiG-29 fighter is equipped with seven external weapon hardpoints.
The aircraft can carry: up to two R-27 air-to-air medium-range missiles; six R-73 and R-60 air-to-air short range missiles; four pods of S-5, S-8, S-24 unguided rockets; air bombs weighing up to 3,000kg; and 30mm built-in aircraft gun with 150 rounds of ammunition.
During the NATO actions in Kosovo, on the 24th of March 1999, a Dutch F-16 shot down a Serbian Mig-29.
(The engagement also marked the combat debut for the F-16AM, the most advanced F-16 in operational service.)
Armament:
Versions:
- Mig-29 " Fulcrum-have ": Basical version. Feature: to see above.
- Mig-29UB " Fulcrum-Bs ": Two-seater Training version.
- Mig-29S " Fulcrum-Cs ": Modernized version of Fulcrum-H.
- Mig-29SE: Export version of export of the Fulcrum-C.
- Mig-29K " Fulcrum-Ds ": Aircraft Carrier based version of the Mig-29. (based on Kusnetzov Carrier)
- Mig-29M: Last version of the Mig-29, completely revisited.
- Mig-29ME: Export Version of the Mig-29M.
- Mig-29G: German upgraded version
- Mig-29GT: German upgaded two-seater trainer
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Mar. 13th, 2008 | Indian Navy chief to inspect MiG-29K assembly in Russia
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Mar. 11th, 2008 | Russia's MiG signs $1bln deal to upgrade 70 Indian fighters
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Feb. 29th, 2008 | Russia's MiG hands 12 upgraded fighters over to Slovakia
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Feb. 18th, 2008 | Algeria to return 15 MiG aircraft to Russia over inferior quality
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- Hard-hitting Russian fighter set to win Indian tender
- India to upgrade MiG-29 jets to boost fighter fleet
- Indo-Russian agreement soon on PAK-FA
- MiG-29 KUB prototype launched
- India-Russia to co-develop midrange transport aircraft
- Russia set to offer MiG-35 fighters to India
- HAL's next: Upgradation of MiG-29s in 2008
- Air force to enhance flying life of MiG-29
- $9-bn combat aircraft deal on fast track
- 60 Russian enterprises to participate in Farnborough airshow
- Russia's MiG on Display at Berlin Air Show
- Russia hardsells MiGs to IAF
- India's MiG-29 jets to be upgraded by Russia
- Poland Takes Over as NATO Policeman of Baltic Airspace
- India, Russia set to go for 5th Generation fighters
- MiG to bid for Indian Air Force tender for 126 fighter planes
- India to invite bids for fighter jet deal
- Venezuela Poised To Take Over As Top Latin American Arms Buyer
- IAF moves on $5-bn combat aircraft deal
- U.S. Advises Venezuela Against Purchase of Russian Fighter Jets
Specifications
| Version | Mig-29 Fulcrum |
| Length | 17.37m 57ft |
| Height | 4.73m 15.6 ft |
| Wingspan | 11.4m 37.3ft |
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Mig-29 Fulcrum Videos | 304 Videos Available!
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This page was last updated on: 2006-02-01
