List of Mikoyan MiG-29 operators

Two Belarus Air Force MiG-29s

• Belarus Air Force - 50 aircraft in service

Bulgarian MiG-29 with pair of R-27R (AA-10 Alamo) missiles

Bulgaria has 15 MiG-29 in service, including 2 MiG-29UB. Also 4 MiG-29 in reserve. One aircraft disjointed in Bulgarian military factory. One MiG-29A crashed in 1994 and one MiG-29UB in 2004. They are scheduled to be replaced by F-16s by 2024.[1]

Bulgarian Air Force

• 2/3 Iztrebitelna Avio Eskadrila based at Graf Ignatievo operates MiG-29A and MiG-29UB (9.51).

Bangladesh has 8 aircraft in service.[2] 16 MiG-29s were ordered, however procurement was cancelled after 8 aircraft were delivered.[3]

Bangladesh Air Force MiG-29B and MiG29UB inflight

Bangladesh Air Force

• 8th Squadron based at Kurmitola operates 6 MiG-29B (9.12B) and 2 MiG-29UB (9.51).

Indian Air Force MiG-29UPG

The Indian Air Force had 59 aircraft in January 2021. In July 2020, the Indian Ministry of Defence approved the upgrading of existing aircraft and the purchase of 21 additional aircraft from Russia, to be constructed from airframes mothballed in the late-1980s and upgraded with "the latest avionics and electronic warfare suites." In January 2021, the formal purchase request was expected to be issued "soon".[4]

In January 2004, twelve MiG-29K and four MiG-29KUB were ordered for the Indian Naval Air Arm to operate from INS Vikramaditya.[5] In September 2008, it was reported that India intended to buy 30 more Mig-29K.[6]

Indian Air Force

• 28 Squadron (First Supersonics) – based at AFS Jamnagar
• 47 Squadron (Black Archers) – based at AFS Adampur
• 223 Squadron (Tridents) – based at AFS Adampur

Indian Naval Air Arm

• INAS 300 (The White Tigers) – based at INS Hansa
• INAS 303 (The Black Panthers) – based at INS Hansa

Kazakhstan has 12 MiG-29 and 2 MiG-29UB fighters in service.

Myanmar has 31 MiG-29s in service with 26 of them are MiG-29SM/SEs (9.13M and 9.13) and 5 MiG-29UBs (9.51 trainer version).[7]

A North Korean MiG-29S, 2003

North Korea has 15 out of 40 MiG-29 aircraft in service.

Korean People's Air Force

• 57th Air Regiment based at Sunchon

Turkmenistan has 20 aircraft in service.

Uzbekistan has 30 aircraft in service.

Algerian Air Force MiG-29

Algeria has 32 aircraft in service. Algeria has ordered 65 MiG-29s, four MiG-29UBT in total. 36 MiG-29SMT were to be delivered between 2007 and 2008. However, in March 2008, in an unprecedented move, Algeria decided to return 15 of the MiG-29SMT aircraft delivered in 2006-07 back to Russia, citing the "inferior quality" of certain components and units. Following this the MiG-29SMT has been cancelled with Su-30's instead ordered. [8] 14 Mig-29M/M2s on order.[9]

• 113e Escadron de Chasse based at Tindouf operates MiG-29S (9.13S) upgraded to MiG-29SMT standard.
• 143e Escadron de Chasse based at Ouargla operates MiG-29S (9.13S) and MiG-29UB (9.51) upgraded to MiG-29SMT standard.
• 153e Escadron de Chasse based at Béchar-Oukda/Leger operates MiG-29S (9.13S) upgraded to MiG-29SMT standard.
• 193e Escadron de Chasse based at Bou Sfer operates MiG-29S (9.13S) and MiG-29UB (9.51) upgraded to MiG-29SMT standard.

Sudan Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29SE

Sudanese Air Force has 22-23 aircraft in service. According to Sudanese Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Mohammed Hussein, Sudan bought 12 MiG-29 from Russia in 2004 (despite the UN arms embargo[10] and other 12 in 2008 (probable Russian surplus via Belarus). One MiG-29 was shot down in May 2008 by heavy machine gun fire during a CAS mission;[11]

Eritrea received 8 aircraft in 1998, of these 6 are known to be operational.[12]

Azerbaijan Air Force has 13 aircraft in service.[13]

A MiG-29UB of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

Iran bought MiG-29 from Soviet Union around 40 of which all of them 9.12A versions directly from Soviet air force and also took over ex-iraqi MiG-29 which 4 of them Around 36 in service with IRIAF (30 MiG-29A 9.12A and 6 Mig-29UB 9.51)[14]

Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

• 11 TFS based at Tehran Mehrabad International Airport operates MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51).
• 23 TFS based at Shaheed Fakhouri Air Base in Tabriz operates MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51).

Syria has an unknown number of aircraft in service. Sources state between 22 and 84. MiG-29SM for the Syrian Air Force based on the MiG-29SM, except the Syrian MiG-29SM uses the 9.12 airframe. RAC MiG developed a special variant for Syria.[15] Russia repaired and upgraded several Syrian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jets.[16] In 2007 Syria reportedly signed a deal for 24 Mig-29M2s that was delayed, in 2011 Syria signed a deal for another 24 Mig-29M2's.[17][18]

In 2019, Belarus reportedly upgraded Syria's fleet of MiG-29s with the BCO "Talisman" Electronic Warfare System, giving the fighter jet a significant increase to its capability.[19]

Syrian Air Force

• 697 Squadron based at Tsaykal
• 698 Squadron based at Tsaykal
• 699 Squadron based at Tsaykal

Yemen has 14 aircraft in service. Since 2005 the standard was MiG-29SMT, replacing SE version (14 SE and UB delivered in 2001, after sent to MiG to be updated). Together with those 14 aircraft updated, RSK-MiG sold 6 new examples. Later there was eventually another batch delivered.[20] Operational status is unknown due to civil war and foreign intervention.

Yemen Air Force

• Cuban Air Force has 14 aircraft with six of them in flying condition.

Peruvian Air Force MiG-29

Peru acquired 18 aircraft from Belarus in 1996, 16 MiG-29 (9.13) and 2 MiG-29UB (9.51) (one purchased new by Belarus to Russia to replace the unit rejected by the Peruvian Air Force for technical issues). Two aircraft were lost in accidents in 1997 and 2001 respectively. Three additional MiG-29SE (9.13SE) were purchased from Russia in 1998 to replace the lost aircraft.

On 12 August 2008 a contract of US$106 million was signed with RAC MiG for a custom-made SM-based upgrade of eight MiG-29 called MiG-29SMP.[21] Four MiG-29SMP (3 single-seaters and 1 twin-seater) were displayed in maneuvers during the Peruvian Air Force anniversary celebrations on 23 July 2012.[22]

Peruvian Air Force

• Escuadrón Aéreo Nº 612 based at Chiclayo operates MiG-29/MiG-29SE/MiG-29SMP (9.13/9.13SE) and MiG-29UBP (9.51).[21]

Polish MiG-29

Poland bought 12 aircraft (nine MiG-29 9.12A and three MiG-29UB 9.51) from the Soviet Union between 1989 and 1990. Next ten ex-Czech aircraft (nine MiG-29A and one MiG-29UB) were exchanged with Czech Republic for 11 Polish PZL W-3 Sokół helicopters in 1996. Last 22 were handed over by Germany in 2003. In December 2017 a MiG-29A #67 from 23rd Air Base in Mińsk Mazowiecki crashed on approach. The pilot survived. In July 2018 a MiG-29A #4103 from 22nd Air Base in Malbork crashed near Elbląg during night flight. The pilot died after ejecting. In total Poland had 44 aircraft (36 MiG-29A and eight MiG-29UB) but only 30 aircraft are operational in two units.

Between 2001 and 2005 all aircraft were upgraded with domestic SC-10D2 Supraśl IFF, Rockwell Collins AN/ARN-153 (TCN 500) TACAN and ANV-241 MMR VOR/ILS receivers, Trimble 2101AP civilian GPS receiver, Thomson-CSF SB-14 radar warning receiver, RS 6113-2 VHF/UHF radio with R-862 control panel and new anti-collision lights.[23] Their service life was extended up to 4000 flight hour or until 2028. In 2011-2014 period 16 aircraft from the 23rd Air Base (former 1. elt) received second modernization package, consisting of MFCD 5"x7" multi-function display, MDP mission computer, Up-Front Control Panel (UFCP), Honeywell Enhanced GPS Inertial navigation system (EGI) with SAASM, MIL-STD-1553B data bus and Rockwell Collins AN/ARC-210 (Talon RT-8200) VHF/UHF radio, exploitation was changed from flight hours to be based on technical status.[24][25] All the units has to be replaced by F-35 Lightning II.

Polish Air Force

• 23rd Air Base in Mińsk Mazowiecki operates MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51) from 2011.
  • 1. Pułk Lotnictwa Myśliwskiego based at Mińsk Mazowiecki operated MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51) between 1989 and 2000. Unit was reorganized to 1. ELT.
  • 1. eskadra lotnictwa taktycznego based at Mińsk Mazowiecki operated MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51) between 2001 and 2010. Unit was reorganized to 23rd Air Base.
• 22nd Air Base in Malbork operates MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51) from 2011.
  • 41. eskadra lotnictwa taktycznego based at Malbork operated MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51) between 2005 and 2010. Unit was reorganized to 22rd Air Base.

MiG-29s of the Russian Air Force (left) and Russian Navy (right).

Russia had a total of 240 in service in 2015.[26]

Russian Aerospace Forces

• Russian Air Force
  • 14th Fighter Aviation Regiment - Kursk
  • 200th Training Air Base - Armavir
  • 19th Fighter Aviation Regiment - Millerovo
  • 102nd Military Base - Gyumri

Russian Naval Aviation[27]

• 100th Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment

Serbia inherited four MiG-29B and one MiG-29UB from Yugoslavia.[28] Refurbished and returned to service in 2009. One MiG-29 crashed in 2009. By 2011, just only 3 MiG-29s (2 single seaters and 1 dual seater) are operational.[29] In 2017, the Serbian government signed an agreement with their Russian counterparts for 4 MiG-29 and 2 MiG-29UB. This will increase Serb fleet to 10 aircraft. Deliveries of all six aircraft were completed in October 2017.[30]

Serbian Air Force

• 101st squadron based at 204th Air Base (Batajnica Airbase) operates MiG-29 (9.12B) and MiG-29UB (9.51).

Slovak MiG-29 performing at the Kecskemet Air Show.

Slovakia has 21 aircraft in service since 1993, 13 are operational. In 2005–2006 aircraft were upgraded to MiG-29SD (locally designated AS - S for Slovak) and MiG-29UBS with NATO/ICAO standard.

Slovak Air Force

• 1 Stíhacia Letka based at Sliač operates MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51).

A Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29

Ukraine inherited hundreds of MiG-29s at the dissolution of the USSR.[31] A small fraction of them remain in service.

Ukrainian Air Force

• 204th Fighter Aviation Brigade
• 9th Fighter Aviation Brigade
• 114th Fighter Aviation Brigade
• 40th Fighter Aviation Brigade

The United States bought 21 aircraft from Moldova.[32] Different private owned companies and individuals bought MiG-29s from former USSR republics.[33]

Czechoslovakia had 18 MiG-29A and 2 MiG-29UB from 1989. All were passed on (in 1:1 ratio) to Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Czechoslovakian Air Force

Czech Republic received nine MiG-29A and one MiG-29UB. Aircraft are no longer in service, being exchanged with Poland for 11 PZL W-3 Sokół helicopters in 1996.

Czech Air Force

German MiG-29 fires AA-10.

East Germany received 24 aircraft delivered in 1988-1989, including 4 MiG-29UBs. They were based at Preschen. Upon the German Reunification in 1990 all were passed to the West German Air Force.

Air Forces of the National People's Army

Germany inherited 24 aircraft from East Germany in 1990 and upgraded them to NATO compatibility. One was lost, and one was kept for display when the remaining 22 were transferred to Poland in 2003, following the arrival of the Eurofighter Typhoon which replaced them.

German Air Force

• JG73 "Steinhoff" based at Laage operated MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51) under local designation MiG-29G.

MiG-29B of the Hungarian Air Force

Hungary received 28 MIG-29s in 1993 as debt compensation from Russia. The last of them was retired in December, 2010. Eight of them were put up for sale with the bidding starting at 18 Million USD. The bidders had to submit offers by 15 September 2011[34][35]

Hungarian Air Force

• 2. Vadászrepülö Század was based at Kecskemét Air Base was operating MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51).
• 59th Wing, Dongó Squadron was based at Kecskemét Air Base was operating MiG-29 (9.12A) and MiG-29UB (9.51).

Iraq received 41 aircraft. 16 were destroyed in Gulf War, 4 evacuated to Iran. Remaining squadron (with 18 aircraft) withdrawn from service in 1995 due to engine TBO expiry.

Iraqi Air Force

Israeli Air Force

2 aircraft, borrowed from an undisclosed European air force (according to online images aircraft from the Polish Air Force were used) for evaluation. Flown by 601 Squadron, the Israeli Air Force's flight test center.[36]

A Malaysian MiG-29 in formation with a U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat

Malaysia received a total of 18 MiG-29s. 16 left with 2 lost to crashes in recent years and the Royal Malaysian Air Force have retired its MiG-29s squadron from active service in 2018. All 16 MiG-29s are kept as Active Reserve.

Royal Malaysian Air Force

• 19 Sqn Cobra based at RMAF Kuantan formerly operates single seater MiG-29S (9.13S) and two seater trainers MiG-29UB (9.51) under local designation (MiG-29N).

Moldova had 34 aircraft inherited from USSR. 6 of them were sold to Yemen, 21 bought by USA, 1 MiG-29S sold to Romania. Last 6 remaining MiG-29S were overhauled in Ukraine recently. Yemen Return 6 MiG-29S.The remaining Moldovan MiGs are grounded due to lack of spare parts.

Moldovan Air Force

Romanian Air Force MiG-29A

Romania received 20 MiG-29A delivered from USSR starting in 1989 plus 1 MiG-29S from Moldova. Romanian aircraft were retired in 2003 after funding was cut for upgrade programme.[37]

Romanian Air Force

Upon its dissolution in 1991 the Soviet Union had approximately 1,000 aircraft in service. Upon the break-up they were passed to Belarus (50), Ukraine (220), Kazakhstan (40), Uzbekistan (30), Turkmenistan (20). The remaining 600+ were passed to Russia. Many were subsequently sold off to third-party states and/or written off.[38]

Soviet Air Force

Yugoslavia received 14 MiG-29Bs and 2 MiG-29UBs from the Soviet Union in 1987 and 1988. During operation Allied Force, six MiG-29s were shot down, while another three and one MiG-29UB were destroyed on the ground by NATO,[39] One MiG-29 was also lost in a noncombat related accident. Since the dissolution of Yugoslavia the remaining four MiG-29s and single MiG-29UB were passed on to Serbia.

Yugoslav Air Force

• 127th squadron operated 14 MiG-29Bs and 2 MiG-29UB.