Fighter Aircraft
MiG-29 Fulcrum
The MiG-29 Fulcrum is a twin-engine, single-seat fighter designed by the Soviet Mikoyan bureau for air superiority and later developed into multirole versions. More than 1,600 have been built since the late 1970s, making it one of the most widely exported fourth-generation fighters.
Russia|Mikoyan (RSK MiG)Overview
The MiG-29 first flew on 6 October 1977 and entered Soviet service in 1983 as a light front-line fighter. Two Klimov RD-33 afterburning turbofans give it a top speed of about Mach 2.25, and intakes that close on the ground let it use rough airfields. Its infrared search-and-track sensor, helmet-mounted sight and R-73 missile gave it a real dogfighting advantage in the 1980s and 1990s, although early versions had short range and a modest payload of about 3,000–4,000 kg.
Later versions include the upgraded MiG-29SMT, the carrier-based MiG-29K used by the Indian and Russian navies, the new-generation MiG-29M/M2 bought by Egypt and the MiG-35. Russia, India, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Algeria and Myanmar are among the largest users today, while several NATO members have retired the type. The MiG-29 has fought in the Gulf War, Kosovo, Kargil and Syria, and both sides fly it in the Russia–Ukraine war, where Ukrainian jets have been adapted to fire HARM missiles and JDAM-ER bombs.
Key Specifications
Variants
MiG-29 (9.12): the original single-seat production version that entered Soviet service in 1983 and was widely exported to Soviet allies.
MiG-29SMT: a modernisation with more internal fuel, a new cockpit and expanded air-to-ground weapons, flown by Russia and several other operators.
MiG-29K: the carrier-based version with folding wings and an arrestor hook, operated by the Indian Navy and the Russian Navy.
Operators
Russia
India
Algeria
Egypt
Belarus
Bulgaria
Poland
Serbia
Ukraine
Azerbaijan
Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan
Mongolia
Bangladesh
Myanmar (Burma)
North Korea
Iran
Sudan
Cuba
PeruFrequently Asked Questions
How much does a MiG-29 cost?
There is no official list price for the MiG-29, and estimates vary by version. Late-1990s figures put a basic MiG-29 at roughly US$11 million, while new-build MiG-29M/M2 export deals in the 2010s were reported at several tens of millions of dollars per aircraft including support.
How fast is a MiG-29?
The MiG-29 can reach about 2,400 km/h, or Mach 2.25, at high altitude. Its range is about 1,430 km on internal fuel and around 2,100 km with drop tanks, and its service ceiling is about 18,000 m, though figures vary by variant.
Which countries use the MiG-29?
About 20 countries still fly the MiG-29. The largest fleets belong to Russia, India, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Myanmar, North Korea and Belarus, while Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, Serbia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Peru, Cuba and Bangladesh are among the other users.
MiG-29 vs F-16: which is better?
The F-16 is generally considered the more versatile aircraft, with longer range, a larger payload and stronger multirole avionics. The early MiG-29 was a formidable close-range dogfighter thanks to its IRST, helmet sight and R-73 missile, but had limited range and ground-attack capability.
Does Ukraine still have MiG-29s?
Yes, Ukraine still operates MiG-29s, although exact numbers change because of wartime losses and transfers. Poland and Slovakia sent MiG-29s to Ukraine in 2023, and Ukrainian jets have been modified to carry Western weapons such as AGM-88 HARM missiles and JDAM-ER bombs.
Is the MiG-29 a 4th generation fighter?
Yes, the MiG-29 is a fourth-generation fighter, developed in the 1970s alongside the larger Su-27. It is not stealthy. Later versions such as the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-35 add modern avionics and more fuel but keep the same basic layout.