- Side
- Ukraine
Ukrainian MiG-29s were adapted to fire AGM-88 HARM missiles at Russian radar systems and later documented carrying Western precision weapons including HAMMER/AASM, JDAM-ER, and GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs.
Role detailsAircraft & UAVs
MiG-29
Also known as
- Fulcrum
- MiG-29 Fulcrum
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29
- MiG-29A
- MiG-29UB
- MiG-29SMT
- MiG-29K
- MiG-29KUB
The MiG-29 Fulcrum is a Soviet-designed twin-engine fighter built around short-range air combat, air-defense interception, and later multirole adaptation. Its cataloged combat history spans Iraqi and Yugoslav interceptors facing coalition air campaigns, Eritrean and Indian wartime use in 1999, Sudanese strike sorties, and Ukrainian MiG-29s modified to employ Western weapons such as AGM-88 HARM, JDAM-ER, HAMMER/AASM, and GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs.
Role in Conflicts
Sudanese Air Force MiG-29s were reported flying low-level interdiction and strike missions over Khartoum and against RSF positions.
- Side
- Iraq
Iraqi Air Force MiG-29s were engaged during the Desert Storm air campaign; a Smithsonian F-15C collection note records an Iraqi MiG-29 shot down on 19 January 1991.
Role details
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia MiG-29s were flown against NATO aircraft during Operation Allied Force, with U.S. Air Force accounts recording MiG-29 shootdowns in March 1999.
Contemporary wire-service reporting carried by AllAfrica described Eritrean MiG-29 losses during air combat with Ethiopian forces in February 1999.
- Side
- India
Indian government material on Operation Safed Sagar lists MiG-29 aircraft among the Indian Air Force assets committed during the Kargil War.
Design Notes
The MiG-29 was built for the air-defense fight, but its documentation also shows a practical ground-attack fit and a close-range missile cueing system.
| Topic | Documented detail |
|---|---|
| Design driver | Developed in response to the F-15 and F-16. |
| Mission mix | Air-defense fighter with ground-attack capability. |
| Close combat edge | Radar, infrared tracking sensors, laser rangefinder, and a helmet-mounted aiming device. |
| Public debut | First public display came with a July 1986 goodwill visit to Finland. |
Combat Employment Pattern
The sourced conflict rows show the Fulcrum shifting between its original fighter role and later strike adaptations.
Air-defense use
Iraqi, Yugoslav, and Eritrean MiG-29s appear in the record as interceptors or fighters engaged by opposing aircraft.
Escort and deterrence
Indian government material places the type inside Operation Safed Sagar, where air power supported the Kargil ground campaign and deterred Pakistani air intervention.
Strike adaptation
Sudanese reporting describes low-level strike missions, while Ukraine adapted MiG-29s for AGM-88 HARM and later Western precision-guided bombs.
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Built by
- Mikoyan
- Built in
- Soviet UnionRussia
- Type
- Air defense fighter
- Service note
- Late Cold War fighter, wartime adaptation
- Designer
- Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau
- Designed
- 1977 first flight; development began in the early 1970s
- Produced
- 1982-present
Specifications
- Crew
- 1
- Length
- 17.32 m
- Wingspan
- 11.36 m
- Height
- 4.73 m
- Radar
- Phazotron NIIR N019 Doppler radar
- Sensors
- Infrared search and track sensor and laser rangefinder
- Aiming system
- Shchel-3UM-1 helmet-mounted aiming device
- Empty weight
- About 11,000 kg
- Maximum takeoff weight
- About 18,000 kg
- Powerplant
- 2 × Isotov RD-33 afterburning turbofans
- Maximum speed
- About Mach 2.3
- Ceiling
- About 18,000 m
- Range
- About 1,430 km internal fuel
- Armament
- 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon; bombs and rockets in ground-attack role
- Air-to-air missiles
- R-60, R-73/AA-11 Archer, R-27/AA-10 Alamo, and related export fits by variant
- Hardpoints
- 7 external hardpoints
- Payload
- Up to 4,000 kg
Family Branches
This page treats the MiG-29 as the Fulcrum fighter family, with several major branches rather than one single configuration.
| Branch | Configuration | Documented distinction |
|---|---|---|
| MiG-29A | Initial single-seat fighter | The museum aircraft is presented as a MiG-29A associated with the early 1980s Fulcrum configuration. |
| MiG-29UB | Two-seat conversion trainer | ODIN treats the UB as part of the broader Fulcrum profile rather than a separate catalog family. |
| MiG-29SMT | Upgraded multirole fighter | The SMT branch adds later land-based multirole modernization context. |
| MiG-29K/KUB | Carrier-capable naval fighter | Rosoboronexport presents the K/KUB line as a ship-based multirole fighter family for aircraft-carrier operations. |
Variants
The MiG-29 family spans early land-based Fulcrums, conversion trainers, upgraded multirole aircraft, and a separate carrier-capable MiG-29K/KUB branch.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| MiG-29A | Initial single-seat fighter | The U.S. Air Force museum aircraft represents the early Soviet Air Force MiG-29A configuration associated with the first public Fulcrum display in Finland. Sources: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29A |
| MiG-29UB | Two-seat conversion trainer | ODIN treats the UB as a trainer branch within the broader MiG-29 Fulcrum family profile. Sources: ODIN MiG-29 Fulcrum profile |
| MiG-29SMT | Upgraded multirole fighter | Airforce Technology describes the SMT as a land-based MiG-29 modernization with multirole capability and updated systems. |
 | Carrier-capable naval fighter | Rosoboronexport presents the K/KUB line as a ship-based multirole fighter family for aircraft-carrier operations; the catalog keeps it as a linked page because it has a distinct naval-service record. |
Carried Weapons
The MiG-29's standard air-to-air fit has been joined in Ukrainian service by Western anti-radiation and precision-guided weapons carried on adapted pylons and interfaces.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Short-range air-to-air missile | The U.S. Air Force museum fact sheet describes the MiG-29's helmet-mounted aiming device cueing the AA-11 Archer, the NATO reporting name for the R-73 family. Sources: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29A |
 | Anti-radiation missile | The U.S. Department of Defense said Ukrainian forces adapted HARM missiles for launch from MiG-29 aircraft and used them against Russian radar systems. |
 | Precision-guided bomb family | The War Zone and The Aviationist describe Ukrainian MiG-29s carrying French HAMMER/AASM bombs, including a Ukrainian MiG-29 armed with an AASM Hammer on a custom pylon. Sources: TWZ on Ukrainian MiG-29s carrying Hammer bombs, The Aviationist on Ukrainian MiG-29s with AASM Hammer |
 | Winged precision-guided bomb | The War Zone reported that Ukrainian MiG-29s were firing JDAM-ER winged bombs, extending the aircraft's wartime precision-strike role. |
 | Small Diameter Bomb | The War Zone identified a Ukrainian MiG-29 pylon arrangement associated with carriage of GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs. Sources: TWZ on Ukrainian MiG-29 SDB pylon |
Ukraine Weapon Adaptations
Ukrainian MiG-29 integration work turned an older Soviet fighter into a carrier for several Western standoff and precision weapons during the Russia-Ukraine War.
| Weapon | Documented integration | Catalog link |
|---|---|---|
| AGM-88 HARM | Adapted for MiG-29 launch against Russian radar systems. | |
| HAMMER / AASM | Seen on Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft using a custom pylon arrangement. | |
| Mk-82 JDAM-ER | Reported in use from Ukrainian MiG-29s as a winged precision-guided bomb. | |
| GBU-39/B SDB I | Associated with a Ukrainian MiG-29 pylon arrangement for Small Diameter Bomb carriage. | |
Timeline
MiG-29 Key Events
First flight
The MiG-29 first flew on 6 October 1977.
Sources: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29A
Production starts
The U.S. Air Force museum fact sheet says production of the MiG-29 began in 1982.
Sources: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29A
Deliveries begin
The museum fact sheet says Soviet frontline deliveries began in 1983.
Sources: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29A
First public display
The MiG-29 made its first public display during a July 1986 goodwill visit to Finland.
Sources: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29A
Iraqi MiG-29s engaged in Desert Storm
A Smithsonian F-15C collection note records an Iraqi MiG-29 kill during the Gulf War air campaign.
Sources: Air & Space Forces on Smithsonian F-15C Gulf War MiG-29
MiG-29s appear in Kargil air operations
Indian government material on Operation Safed Sagar lists the MiG-29 among aircraft committed during the Kargil War.
Sources: PIB on Operation Safed Sagar aircraft
Ukrainian HARM integration disclosed
The U.S. Department of Defense said Ukraine adapted AGM-88 HARM missiles for launch from MiG-29 aircraft.
Sources: Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl Holds a Press Briefing on Security Assistance in Support of Ukraine
Western guided bombs documented on Ukrainian MiG-29s
Specialist reporting documented Ukrainian MiG-29 carriage of JDAM-ER, HAMMER/AASM, and GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb weapons.
Sources: TWZ on Ukrainian MiG-29s carrying JDAM-ER, TWZ on Ukrainian MiG-29s carrying Hammer bombs, TWZ on Ukrainian MiG-29 SDB pylon
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29APublisher: National Museum of the United States Air Force | Note: Supports MiG-29 background, manufacturer/design bureau context, the 1977 first flight, the 1982 production start, the 1983 deliveries, the NATO Fulcrum designation, technical notes, and museum media context. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl Holds a Press Briefing on Security Assistance in Support of UkrainePublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War source for U.S. provision of HARM missiles to Ukraine, adaptation for launch from MiG-29 aircraft, and Ukrainian use against Russian radar systems. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Sudan's RSF Shoots Down Russian-Made MiG-29 Fighter Jet over KhartoumPublisher: Military Africa | Note: Direct 2023 Sudan War source for reported Sudanese Air Force MiG-29 operations over Khartoum and the May 2023 shootdown claim. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Sudanese Air Force Holds the Line against RSF RebelsPublisher: Military Africa | Note: Direct 2023 Sudan War source for Sudanese Air Force MiG-29 use in low-level interdiction and strike missions against RSF positions. | Accessed: 2026-07-06TWZ on Ukrainian MiG-29s carrying Hammer bombsPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War source for HAMMER/AASM carriage by Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-06The Aviationist on Ukrainian MiG-29s with AASM HammerPublisher: The Aviationist | Note: Direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War source for a Ukrainian MiG-29 armed with a HAMMER/AASM weapon on a custom pylon. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Air & Space Forces on Smithsonian F-15C Gulf War MiG-29Publisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Direct 1990 Gulf War source for an Iraqi MiG-29 engagement and loss to a U.S. F-15C during Operation Desert Storm. | Accessed: 2026-07-06National Museum F-15C Historic Double MiG KillerPublisher: National Museum of the United States Air Force | Note: Direct 1999 Kosovo War / Operation Allied Force source for Federal Republic of Yugoslavia MiG-29 aircraft engaged and shot down by a U.S. F-15C. | Accessed: 2026-07-06AllAfrica on Eritrean MiG-29 loss over BadmePublisher: Panafrican News Agency via AllAfrica | Note: Direct 1998 Eritrean-Ethiopian War source carrying contemporary reporting that Ethiopia said it shot down an Eritrean MiG-29 on the Badme front. | Accessed: 2026-07-06PIB on Operation Safed Sagar aircraftPublisher: Press Information Bureau, Government of India | Note: Direct 1999 Kargil War source for Indian Air Force MiG-29 aircraft participation in Operation Safed Sagar. | Accessed: 2026-07-06TWZ on Ukrainian MiG-29s carrying JDAM-ERPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War source for Ukrainian MiG-29 carriage and employment of JDAM-ER winged bombs. | Accessed: 2026-07-06TWZ on Ukrainian MiG-29 SDB pylonPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Direct 2014 Russia-Ukraine War source for a Ukrainian MiG-29 pylon arrangement associated with GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bomb carriage. | Accessed: 2026-07-06ODIN MiG-29 Fulcrum profilePublisher: U.S. Army ODIN Worldwide Equipment Guide | Note: Supports MiG-29 family background, variant context, and general system profile details. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Airforce Technology MiG-29SMT FulcrumPublisher: Airforce Technology | Note: Supports the MiG-29SMT upgraded multirole fighter variant description. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Rosoboronexport MiG-29K/KUB carrier-based fighterPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Supports the MiG-29K/KUB carrier-based multirole fighter branch. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Wikimedia Commons Mikoyan MiG-29 imagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance source for the primary MiG-29 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Wikimedia Commons Ukrainian MiG-29 imagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance source for the Ukrainian MiG-29 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Wikimedia Commons Ukrainian MiG-29 HARM imagePublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance source for the Ukrainian MiG-29 gallery image showing R-73 and AGM-88 carriage. | Accessed: 2026-07-06U.S. Air Force MiG-29 museum imagePublisher: U.S. Department of Defense | Note: Image provenance source for the U.S. Air Force museum MiG-29 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-07-06