The MiG-29S is the Product 9.13S branch of the Soviet MiG-29 Fulcrum family, built around the enlarged-spine Fulcrum-C airframe and a weapons-control upgrade that added N019M/N019ME radar-family improvements, RVV-AE/R-77 compatibility in supported fits, higher payload limits, and broader fuel-tank carriage than early MiG-29 variants.
Aviation Safety Network records Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 9.13 losses during the full-scale phase of the Russia-Ukraine War, and The Aviationist documents Ukrainian MiG-29s returned to service and fighting pro-Russia separatists in 2014; the reviewed sources do not cleanly identify those aircraft as MiG-29S 9.13S upgrades.
Role detailsFulcrum-C is not a one-to-one synonym for MiG-29S. The term is applied to the enlarged-spine 9.13 airframe family as well as the later 9.13S upgrade, so wartime 9.13 evidence is treated as Fulcrum-C context rather than proof that every cited aircraft was an exact 9.13S configuration.
Enlarged dorsal spine with added fuel and avionics space, commonly reported as Fulcrum-C.
MiG-29S configuration with improved flight-control and weapons-control features, including N019M-family radar changes and supported RVV-AE/R-77 integration.
Export derivative with stronger archived manufacturer data, including N019ME radar and published load, weight, and range figures.
Public references use Fulcrum-C for both the enlarged-spine MiG-29 9.13 airframe and the later MiG-29S 9.13S upgrade, so this entry separates the airframe lineage from the exact S/SE weapon-control variants.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| MiG-29 9.13 | Fulcrum-C airframe baseline | The 9.13 introduced the enlarged dorsal spine associated with Fulcrum-C airframes, adding space for fuel and avionics including the Gardeniya jammer; it is related to, but not identical with, the MiG-29S 9.13S upgrade. Sources: MiG Alley MiG-29 variants, Military Aviation MiG-29S Fulcrum-C |
| MiG-29S / Product 9.13S | Soviet improved fighter variant | Specialist sources describe the MiG-29S as a 9.13-based upgrade with revised flight-control logic, N019M radar-family changes, higher permissible angle of attack, and increased external stores capability. Sources: GlobalSecurity MiG-29S Fulcrum, MiG Alley MiG-29 variants, Military Aviation MiG-29S Fulcrum-C |
| MiG-29SE | Export derivative | Archived RAC MiG data presents the MiG-29SE as an export version with increased internal fuel, upgraded N019ME radar, RVV-AE compatibility, and a 4,500 kg maximum weapon load. Sources: Archived RAC MiG MiG-29SE |
 | Parent Fulcrum family | The broad MiG-29 page remains the catalog's main public record for the Fulcrum family and better-supported Russia-Ukraine War MiG-29 strike adaptations. Sources: National Museum MiG-29A |
 | Carrier-based naval branch | The MiG-29K is a separate navalized Fulcrum branch with a distinct carrier-service record in the catalog. Sources: National Museum MiG-29A |
This section links only cataloged weapons with a clear existing record; unlinked MiG-29S references also discuss R-27 and RVV-AE/R-77 compatibility where the radar and weapons-control fit supports it.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Short-range air-to-air missile | National Museum MiG-29 material lists the AA-11 Archer/R-73 family among MiG-29 air-to-air weapons, while MiG-29S/SE references describe the upgraded Fulcrum branch retaining R-73-family compatibility. |
The baseline MiG-29 first flew on 6 October 1977, establishing the Fulcrum airframe family later adapted into 9.13, 9.13S, and export branches.
Sources: National Museum MiG-29A
Specialist variant references describe the enlarged-spine MiG-29 9.13 Fulcrum-C branch as entering production from 1986.
Sources: MiG Alley MiG-29 variants, Military Aviation MiG-29S Fulcrum-C
GlobalSecurity reports that 16 MiG-29S fighters produced in 1991 became the last aircraft of the type to enter Russian service, with additional unsold aircraft converted toward the MiG-29SE export version.
Sources: GlobalSecurity MiG-29S Fulcrum
Aviation Safety Network lists a Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 9.13 from the 40th Tactical Aviation Brigade lost near Novopil during the full-scale Russia-Ukraine War, a Fulcrum-C airframe data point that does not by itself confirm the MiG-29S 9.13S upgrade.
Sources: ASN MiG-29 accident database
