Ukraine's enduring reliance on MiG‑29s amid a modernization drive
Even after the deliveries of the F-16 and Mirage 2000, the MiG-29 aircraft remain the backbone of the Ukrainian air force, mainly due to experienced combat pilots like Denfix. Here's an insight into the missions the MiGs are currently undertaking.
The Ukrainian air fleet still primarily consists of MiG-29 aircraft, their condition rejuvenated by deliveries from Poland and Slovakia. This means the pilots flying them have more experience with these machines than their colleagues flying F-16A/B MLU and Mirage 2000-5F aircraft.
One of these pilots is known by the codename "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. It aimed to design a more affordable 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 the armament can account for up to 4,000 kilograms.
Although the MiG-29 is considered a capable aircraft, it has a significant drawback in the form of limited range due to the small fuel reserve in its internal tanks. As a result, it is often seen with an external fuel tank occupying one of the seven pylons intended for carrying weapons.
This armament mainly includes short-range air-to-air missiles R-73 and outdated medium-range R-27 missiles, aerial bombs weighing up to 500 kilograms, and unguided missile launchers.
Ukrainian modifications and NATO weaponry
The Ukrainians have successfully adapted the MiGs for collaboration with Western weaponry using improvised methods. Photos have appeared online showing aircraft armed with AIM-7 Sparrow missiles and AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles, used with ADM-160B MALD decoys to target Russian air defence radars.
Ukrainians use JDAM-ER or GBU-39 SDB guided glide bombs to attack ground targets. When dropped from a high altitude, these bombs can reach targets several dozen kilometres away. However, such attacks must be conducted in areas free from medium-range Russian air defences.
More popular, however, are recordings showing the use of French AASM Hammer bombs. These bombs, despite their similarity to JDAM-ER, are equipped with an additional rocket engine, which allows targeting from approximately 15 kilometres away when flying at a low altitude. This tactic provides quite good protection against medium-range air defence systems.
