Russian Navy MiG-29K/KUB/KR aircraft deployed with Admiral Kuznetsov off Syria in 2016; CNA describes the carrier air group as flying sorties from November 15, 2016 to January 5, 2017, while USNI reported a MiG-29K sortie over Syria during the same deployment.
Role detailsAircraft & UAVs
MiG-29K
Also known as
- MiG-29K Fulcrum-D
- Mikoyan MiG-29K
- Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29K
- MiG-29K/KUB
- Fulcrum-D
The Mikoyan MiG-29K is a carrier-based, all-weather multirole fighter developed from the MiG-29M for naval aviation. It serves with the Indian Navy and Russian Navy, with Russian MiG-29K/KR aircraft documented on Admiral Kuznetsov's 2016 Syria deployment and Indian MiG-29Ks embarked on INS Vikrant during Operation Sindoor.
Role in Conflicts
- Side
- India
Indian Navy MiG-29K aircraft were embarked on INS Vikrant during Operation Sindoor as part of India's forward naval deterrent posture in the Arabian Sea; public reporting cited the embarked fighters rather than confirmed missile or bomb employment.
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Soviet Union / Russia
- Built by
- Mikoyan
- Type
- Carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft
- Service note
- Late Soviet origin, modern carrier aviation service
- Designer
- Mikoyan Design Bureau
- Designed
- 1980s naval derivative of the MiG-29M
- Produced
- 2005-present
- Developed from
- MiG-29M
- Developed into
- MiG-35
Specifications
- Crew
- 1-2 depending on MiG-29K or MiG-29KUB configuration
- Length
- 17.3 m
- Wingspan
- 11.99 m folded; 11.36 m unfolded
- Height
- 4.4 m
- Maximum takeoff weight
- 22,400 kg in Rosoboronexport MiG-29K/KUB data
- Engines
- 2 × Klimov RD-33MK afterburning turbofans
- Maximum speed
- 2,200 km/h for MiG-29K; 2,100 km/h for MiG-29KUB in Rosoboronexport data
- Range
- 1,850 km without one external fuel tank; 3,000 km with three external fuel tanks for MiG-29K
- Armament
- 1 × 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon; up to 4,500 kg payload on 8 hardpoints
Variants
The MiG-29K family splits mainly by single-seat fighter and two-seat combat-training aircraft, with Russian Navy KR/KUBR designations used for the domestic shipborne fleet.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| MiG-29KUB | Two-seat shipborne combat-training aircraft | Rosoboronexport identifies the MiG-29KUB as the combat-training variant that can support crew instruction while retaining combat mission capability. Sources: Rosoboronexport MiG-29K/KUB |
| MiG-29KR | Russian Navy single-seat variant | USNI reported MiG-29KR aircraft from the 100th Independent Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment aboard Admiral Kuznetsov during the 2016 Mediterranean deployment. Sources: Russian Carrier MiG-29K Fighter Crashes in Mediterranean |
| MiG-29KUBR | Russian Navy two-seat combat-training variant | USNI reported that the aircraft lost during the November 2016 deployment was initially indicated as a MiG-29KUBR, with four MiG-29KR/KUBR aircraft understood to be aboard the carrier. Sources: Russian Carrier MiG-29K Fighter Crashes in Mediterranean |
Carrier Integration
The MiG-29K family is represented here through documented Russian and Indian STOBAR carrier operations rather than every carrier capable of operating the type.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Russian STOBAR aircraft carrier | USNI and CNA document MiG-29K/KUB/KR aircraft with Admiral Kuznetsov's carrier air group during the 2016 Syria deployment. Sources: Russian Carrier MiG-29K Fighter Crashes in Mediterranean, CNA Russian Air Campaign in Syria |
 | Indian STOBAR aircraft carrier | PIB lists MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB aircraft in INS Vikrant's air wing and records MiG-29K landings during the carrier's 2023 aviation trials. Sources: PIB INS Vikrant 2025 Profile |
Carried Weapons
Rosoboronexport's export product page lists several guided weapons associated with the MiG-29K/KUB; this section links only cataloged weapons with a strong existing match.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Short-range air-to-air missile | Rosoboronexport lists the R-73E air-to-air missile among items associated with the MiG-29K/KUB product page. Sources: Rosoboronexport MiG-29K/KUB |
Timeline
MiG-29K Key Events
First Flight
The MiG-29K first flew on 23 June 1988 as a navalized derivative of the MiG-29 family.
Sources: Mikoyan MiG-29K
Indian Navy Service
The Indian Navy accepted the MiG-29K into frontline carrier aviation service as its first modern deck fighter family.
Sources: Mikoyan MiG-29K
Syria Deployment
USNI reported MiG-29K aircraft as part of Admiral Kuznetsov's carrier air group during the Mediterranean deployment tied to Russia's Syria campaign.
Sources: Russian Carrier MiG-29K Fighter Crashes in Mediterranean
INS Vikrant Landing
PIB records MiG-29K landings on INS Vikrant during the Indian carrier's early fixed-wing aviation trials.
Sources: PIB INS Vikrant 2025 Profile
Media
MiG-29K Videos
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Mikoyan MiG-29KPublisher: Wikipedia | Note: Supports carrier-based multirole background, MiG-29M derivation, service history, manufacturer context, and technical specifications for the MiG-29K family. | Accessed: 2026-07-01MIG 29K/ KUB - Indian NavyPublisher: Indian Navy | Note: Supports Indian Navy carrier-aviation service context and the MiG-29K/KUB's role in naval aviation. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Rosoboronexport MiG-29K/KUBPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Official export product page supporting MiG-29K/KUB mission roles, MiG-29KUB combat-training role, payload, crew, speed, range, hardpoint, maximum takeoff weight data, and R-73E carriage context. | Accessed: 2026-07-01CNA Russian Air Campaign in SyriaPublisher: CNA | Note: Supports 2011 Syrian Civil War direct conflict-use: CNA describes Admiral Kuznetsov's Syria mission, the MiG-29K/KUB aircraft in the air group, the sortie period, and the carrier air group's combat deployment. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Russian Carrier MiG-29K Fighter Crashes in MediterraneanPublisher: USNI News | Note: Supports 2011 Syrian Civil War direct conflict-use: MiG-29K/KR aircraft were part of Admiral Kuznetsov's air group during the carrier deployment over Syria in November 2016. | Accessed: 2026-07-01PIB INS Vikrant 2025 ProfilePublisher: Press Information Bureau | Note: Supports MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB integration with INS Vikrant, including the carrier's listed air wing and MiG-29K landings during early fixed-wing trials. | Accessed: 2026-07-01New Indian Express Operation Sindoor Navy PosturePublisher: The New Indian Express | Note: Supports 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict direct conflict-use: the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff described 15 MiG-29K aircraft embarked on INS Vikrant during Operation Sindoor as part of India's forward deterrent posture at sea. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Wikimedia Commons MiG-29K PhotoPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the primary MiG-29K image. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Indian Navy MiG-29K at Ramenskoye AirportPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the gallery MiG-29K image. | Accessed: 2026-07-01Indian Navy MiG-29K Over USS Nimitz During Exercise Malabar 2017Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for the gallery MiG-29K image. | Accessed: 2026-07-01