Mikoyan MiG-29 'FULCRUM' - Russian Fighter Legacy

Dubbed the Fulcrum by NATO, the Mikoyan MiG-29 is the culmination of nearly two decades worth of Soviet aeronautic advances. A twin-engine air superiority aircraft, the MiG-29 is considered to be superior to other fourth generation American and European-made fighter jets of their time — namely the F-14 Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, and the Dassault Mirage 2000. Capable of deft maneuvers and emboldened by a superior thrust-to-weight ratio, the MiG-29 is the perfect response to Western fighter-bomber aircraft. It first formally entered service in 1982 and has continued to be revised and adapted to meet contemporary threats of present day fighter aircraft.

The MiG-29 was developed to meet a Soviet Air Force requirement for a lightweight multi-role fighter. It was a Soviet response to the American F-16 multi-role fighter. With its stunning maneuverability, the MiG-29 re-established the Soviet Union's reputation as a producer of capable combat aircraft. This fighter is known in the West as the Fulcrum. The MiG-29 was built in substantial numbers. About 1 600 fighters of this type were built. Most of them (about 900) were exported. After Russia, Ukraine is the next major operator with six regiments (including Fulcrum-Cs). Other operators are Belarus, Bulgaria, Cuba, Eritrea, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, North Korea, Malaysia, Peru, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Yugoslavia. The MiG-29s serve primarily as air defense fighters. All operators have small numbers of MiG-29UB two-seat conversion trainers. The MiG-29S upgrade was applied to a limited number of Russian 9-13 MiG-29s, the first phase introducing provision for underwing fuel tanks. It remains unclear if further phased improvements were applied. These included a doubling of the warload, provision for in-flight refueling and an upgraded NO19MP Topaz radar with simultaneous dual target engagement capability. The radar would have given compatibility with R-77 beyond visual range air-to-air missiles. Such features were subsequently offered for export MiG-29s, along with Western navigation and communications equipment as well as a bolt-on retractable in-flight refueling probe.

The standard export MiG-29S was known as the MiG-29SD for 9-12 airframes and as the MiG-29SE when based on the 9-13 airframe. Malaysia's MiG-29Ns are effectively MiG-29SDs. While these versions were marketed as air superiority fighters, the MiG-29SM stressed its multi-role capability with TV- and laser-guided air-to-surface weapons.

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⛔️ (DISCLAIMER: This video is for entertainment purposes only. The views and opinion come from personal experience or information from public accessible sources.)

Mikoyan MiG-29 'FULCRUM' - Russian Fighter Legacy