In July the Belarussian Air Force completed trials of its modernized MiG-29, designated the MiG-29BM, which can be seen as a strike variant of the pure fighter. Some changes were made to the N019 radar and OEPS-29 electro-optical system to improve air-to-ground attack capabilities. A modernised fire-control system increased the accuracy of unguided weapons delivery. The MiG-29BM also received a new mission computer, as well as new cockpit displays. The aircraft also received air-refueling probes for increased range.
The MiG-29BM carries a wider range of guided and unguided air-to-ground weapons. It is almost a certainty that Kh-29T TV-guided missiles can now be carried. It is unclear, however, if the aircraft received Kh-31P anti-radar missiles, which would enable the aircraft to perform suppression-of-enemy-air-defenses (SEAD) missions. Reportedly, no changes have been made to the electronic countermeasures (ECM) system. Since the modernized aircraft is based on the 9.13 variant, the ECM system consists of the SPO-15 Byeryoza radar-warning receiver, two BVP-30-26 chaff/flare dispensers (60 26mm rounds), and the Gardenya 1FU active radio-frequency jammer.
Belarus operates 43 MiG-29s from the 927th Air Base Unit in Bereza. All of the single sealers are to be modernized to increase their utility as multi-role aircraft. Belarus wants to increase the capabilities of its air force without purchasing new aircraft. The modernisation was conducted by the 558th Aircraft Repair Plant at Baranovochi, with significant cooperation with Russian industry, and is part of a wider-reaching Belarussian military-reform effort, started last year.
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Steve ~ Touchdown-News
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October 15, 2003 at 11:16 am