MiG-29 Fulcrum
Soviet twin-engine fighter jet, notable in late Cold War clashes, widely exported and integral to various aerial engagements globally.
| Crew | 1 |
| Length | 17.3 m (56.8 ft) |
| Wingspan | 11.4 m (37.3 ft) |
| Height | 4.7 m (15.5 ft) |
| Wing area | 38 m² (409.0 sqft) |
| Empty weight | 11,000 kg (24,251 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 18,000 kg (39,683 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 2 × turbofans Klimov RD-33 8,319 kgf each |
| Ejection seat | Zvezda K-36DM |
| Maximum speed | 2450 km/h (Mach 2.45) |
| Operational range | 1,430 km (889 mi) |
| Service ceiling | 18,000 m (59,055 ft) |
| Climb rate | 330.0 m/s (1082.7 ft/s) |
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India
59
-
Algeria
46 +3
-
Ukraine
45
-
Egypt
43
-
Uzbekistan
38
-
Myanmar
37
-
North Korea
35
-
Belarus
32
-
Iran
30
-
Syria
29
-
Turkmenistan
24
-
Yemen
23
-
Russia
22
-
Serbia
15
-
Azerbaijan
14
-
Poland
14
-
Kazakhstan
13
-
Bulgaria
12
-
Sudan
11
-
Bangladesh
8
-
Mongolia
6
-
Peru
6
-
Cuba
0
- Air-to-Surface Vympel Kh-25 (AS-10 Karen)
- Air-to-Surface Vympel Kh-29 (AS-14 Kedge)
- Anti-Radiation Vympel Kh-31 Taifun (AS-17 Krypton)
- Air-to-Air Long-Range Vympel R-27 / K-27 (AA-10 Alamo)
- Air-to-Air Short-Range Vympel R-73 (AA-11 Archer)
- Air-to-Air Medium-Range Vympel R-77 RVV-AE (AA-12 Adder)
- Air-to-Surface Zvezda Kh-35 Uran (AS-20 Kayak)
39 losses recorded here in the Russia-Ukraine War.
Recent Events — MiG-29 Fulcrum
42 events →-
JUL 212026
Russia
MiG-29 destroyed by a Ukrainian strike drone at Khalino airfield near Kursk; a covering Pantsir-S1 was hit in the same raid.
Destroyed
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JUN 272026
Ukraine
MiG-29 destroyed on the ground by a Russian Geran-4 drone strike at Voznesensk Air Base, Mykolaiv Oblast, while preparing for takeoff.
Destroyed
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JUN 272026
Ukraine
Lost during a combat mission over Poltava Oblast; communication lost and the pilot ejected safely.
Crash
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AUG 232025
Ukraine
MiG-29 White 20 lost under unknown circumstances during night landing at an undisclosed airbase; pilot killed.
Other
Description
The Mikoyan MiG-29 is a twin-engine fighter aircraft designed by the Mikoyan design bureau in the Soviet Union. Developed as an air superiority fighter, the aircraft entered service with the Soviet Air Forces in 1983 to counter American fighters such as the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. It is known for its close-in combat agility and widespread foreign service, with more than 30 nations operating the type.
Development
In 1969, the Soviet General Staff initiated the Perspektivnyy Frontovoy Istrebitel requirement to counter new U.S. air superiority fighters. By 1971, the program was divided into heavy and lightweight categories, with Mikoyan assigned the Perspektivnyy Lyogkiy Frontovoy Istrebitel requirement for a lightweight tactical fighter. Detailed design work on the MiG-29A began in 1974, and the prototype made its first flight on 6 October 1977. Pre-production aircraft were first observed by Western intelligence in November 1977.
Design
The MiG-29 features an aluminum and composite airframe with mid-mounted swept wings, blended leading-edge root extensions, swept tailplanes, and twin vertical fins outboard of the engines. Power is provided by two Klimov RD-33 turbofans generating 50 kN of dry thrust and 81.3 kN in afterburner, with main intakes utilizing variable ramps and auxiliary upper-fuselage louvers for austere field operations. Sensor systems on baseline aircraft include the Phazotron N019 pulse-Doppler radar, an optical-electronic sighting system, and a helmet-mounted sight, while flight controls rely on mechanical-hydraulic actuation with a three-axis autopilot.
Armament
Internal armament consists of a single 30 mm GSh-30-1 autocannon located in the port wing root, fitted with 100 to 150 rounds. The aircraft features up to eight external hardpoints capable of carrying up to 4,000 kg of payload. Supported weapons include R-27, R-73, R-60, and R-77 air-to-air missiles, unguided rockets, general-purpose bombs, and adapted foreign munitions such as the AGM-88 HARM.
Operational History
The Soviet Air Forces first deployed the MiG-29 operationally in 1987 to cover forces in Afghanistan. More than 30 nations have operated the aircraft, with India becoming the initial non-Warsaw Pact customer in 1984. The type has seen combat in multiple conflicts, including the 1991 Gulf War, the 1998–2000 Ethiopian-Eritrean War, the Kosovo War, the Syrian Civil War, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Variants
- MiG-29 (Product 9.12): Initial production air superiority fighter for the Soviet Air Force entering service in 1983.
- MiG-29S (Product 9.13S): Upgraded model featuring an enlarged dorsal spine housing additional fuel and electronic countermeasures, improved flight controls, and increased payload capacity.
- MiG-29K (Product 9.31): Navalized carrier-based variant featuring folding wings, reinforced landing gear, and an arrestor hook.
- MiG-29SMT (Product 9.17): Modernized multirole variant incorporating Zhuk-ME air-to-ground radar capability, glass cockpit displays, and extended range.
- MiG-35: Multirole derivative built on second-generation MiG-29 airframes featuring updated sensors and propulsion systems.