MiG‑29 pilots adapt in Ukraine's aerial defense strategy
The MiG-29 aircraft, even after the deliveries of the F-16 and Mirage 2000, remain the backbone of the Ukrainian air force, primarily due to experienced combat pilots like "Denfix." Here’s a look at the missions the MiGs are currently undertaking.
The Ukrainian air fleet continues to be predominantly made up of MiG-29 aircraft, whose condition has been rejuvenated by deliveries from Poland and Slovakia. This means that the pilots flying them tend to have more experience with their aircraft compared to their counterparts on F-16A/B MLU and Mirage 2000-5F aircraft.
One such pilot is "Denfix," who reportedly has over a dozen destroyed Russian drones and cruise missiles to his credit. In the video below, released by the Ukrainian air force, you can see the moment two Shahed drones are shot down at night.
MiG-29: The core of Ukraine's fighter fleet
The MiG-29 is a twin-engine fighter aircraft developed in the 1970s by the Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau. Its aim was to serve as a cost-effective complement to the heavier Su-27. The aircraft weighs approximately 11,000 kilograms, with a maximum takeoff weight of around 18,000 kilograms, of which armament can comprise about 4,000 kilograms.
Although the MiG-29 is considered a capable aircraft, it has a significant design limitation due to its limited range, resulting from small internal fuel tanks. As a result, it is often seen with an external fuel tank, which uses one of the seven pylons meant for carrying weapons.
This armament mainly includes short-range air-to-air missiles like the R-73 and older medium-range R-27 missiles, as well as aerial bombs weighing up to 500 kilograms and unguided missile launchers.
Ukrainian modifications and NATO weaponry
The Ukrainians have managed to adapt the MiGs to collaborate with Western weaponry using improvised methods. Photos have emerged online showing aircraft armed with AIM-7 Sparrow missiles and AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles, used alongside ADM-160B MALD decoys to target Russian air defence radars.
For ground attack missions, Ukrainians use JDAM-ER or GBU-39 SDB guided glide bombs. When released from high altitude, they allow targeting several dozen kilometres away. However, such attacks need to be conducted in areas outside the range of Russian medium-range air defences.
More popular, however, are recordings showing the use of French AASM Hammer bombs. Despite their similarity to JDAM-ER, these bombs are equipped with an additional rocket engine, enabling targeting from approximately 15 kilometres away when operating at a low altitude. This tactic offers substantial protection against medium-range air defence systems.
