Mikoyan MiG-29

The Mikoyan MiG-29 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-29; NATO reporting name: "Fulcrum") is a fourth-generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union. Developed by the Mikoyan design bureau as an air superiority fighter during the 1970s, the MiG-29, along with the larger Sukhoi Su-27, was developed to counter new American fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. The MiG-29 entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983.

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 navalized 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, considerably increased fuel capacity; some aircraft have also been equipped for aerial refuelling.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, a number of successor states 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 modernized MiG-29SMT configuration, but financial difficulties have limited deliveries. The MiG-29 has also been a popular export aircraft; over 30 individual nations either operate or have previously 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.

Current Operators

 * Azerbaijin
 * Bangladesh
 * Belarus
 * Bulgaria
 * Cuba
 * Eritrea
 * India
 * Iran
 * Kazakhstan
 * Malaysia
 * Mongolia
 * Myanmar
 * North Korea
 * Peru
 * Poland
 * Russia
 * Serbia
 * Slovakia
 * Sudan
 * Syria
 * Turkmenistan
 * Ukraine
 * United States
 * Uzbekistan
 * Yemen

Former Operators

 * Czechoslovakia
 * Czech Republic
 * East Germany
 * Germany
 * Hungary
 * Iraq
 * Israel
 * Moldova
 * Romania
 * Serbia and Montenegro
 * Soviet Union
 * Yugoslavia