43 units of MiG-29 fighter jets became the mainstay of Ukraine to face the Russian invasion. The age of the plane may be old, but not the cans.
In several reports in Ukraine and international media, the MiG-29 fighter is often mentioned. Even on social media, Ukrainian netizens also shared videos of MiG-29s from the Ukrainian Air Force chasing a Sukhoi Su-35.
Reporting from The Eurasian Times, Tuesday (8/3/2022) said the Sukhoi Su-35 is currently Russia's most powerful fighter jet. But the MiG-29 is also not a fake aircraft.
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Historically, in the 1970-1980s, the Soviet Union developed fighter aircraft technology to match the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. Two programs emerged, namely Perspektivnyy Lyogkiy Frontovoy Istrebitel (LPFI) aka Advanced Lightweight Tactical Fighter and Perspektivnyy Frontovoy Istrebitel (PFI) aka Advanced Frontline Fighter.
The LPFI program produced the MiG-29 made by Mikoyan which has been active since 1982 and the PFI program produced the Sukhoi Su-27. So you could say the MiG-29 is a lighter version of the Sukhoi Su-27 in terms of weight and combat mission.
This aircraft is quite in demand and is used in 24 countries in the world. Let's take a closer look at the MiG-29.
The MiG-29 uses 2 Klimov RD-33 turbofan jet engines with a fuel capacity of 4,365 liters. The cockpit is standard with a central control lever and a Zvezda K-36DM ejection seat.
The navigation and radar technology uses OEPS-29 IRST (infrared), Phazotron Zhuk-ME (radar), SPO-15 Beryoza RWR (threat detection radar) and DARE D-29 EW System for electronic devices.
For weapons, the MiG 29 has a GSh-30-1 machine gun with 30 mm bullets with 100 bullets/magazine. It can carry 6-8 missiles usually Vympel R-27 for medium range air to air missiles. There are also R-72 and R-60 missiles.
When the Soviet Union disbanded in 1991, about 1,000 MiG-29s were divided among the splinter countries. Ukraine got 220 units. However, due to economic problems, high maintenance costs and spare parts, many MiG-29s were forced to be sold by Ukraine.
Launching the World Air Forces 2022 report from Flight International and Embraer which was released December 14, 2021. Ukraine is recorded to have only 43 MiG-29 fighter jets, 12 Sukhoi Su-24, 17 Sukhoi Su-25 and 26 Sukhoi Su-27.
Indeed, the MiG-29, which is in its 30s, is Ukraine's mainstay against Russia. The data above is the condition before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The number is now of course reduced again, but the latest figures are still kept by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
According to data from Mikoyan, here are the technical data of the MiG-29:
Full specifications of MiG-29
General
Dimensions: Length 17.32 meters; wingspan 11.36 meters; 4.73 meters high
Weight: 11,000 kg (empty), 14,900 kg (full)
Fuel Capacity : 3500 kg
Jet engine : 2 x Klimov RD-33 afterburning turbofan
Crew: 1 person
Performance
Maximum speed: 2,400 km/hour; 2.5 Mach
Cruising range: 1,430 km
Maximum flight height: 18,000 meters
Gravity : +9
Armament
Machine gun : 1x30 Gryazev-Shipunof GSh-30-1 autocannon, 150 rounds
Missiles: S-5, S-8, S-24 . Rockets
Missiles 2 x R-27 air to air, 4 x R-60, 4 x R-73
Bomb 6 x 665 kg
Navigation:
OEPS-29 IRST (infrared)
Phazotron Zhuk-ME (radar)
SPO-15 Beryoza RWR (threat detection radar)
DARE D-29 EW System (electronic device).