a89The MiG-29M family was very much finished in development, if never ordered by the RuAF (yet, apparently MiG-35 will be bought)
MiG-29M would have solved many of the shortcomings of 9.12. It’s a shame that it was never ordered in large numbers.
I am surprised RSK MiG has not signed any large contract for MiG-35 yet, especially when Sukhoi is going to build +200 aircraft. I guess that they are quite busy with Navy contracts and IAF.
a89Russian Air Force to give up An-70?
a89What’s the reason the Fulcrum was never license produced abroad? You would think Iran, India would love to build them domestically.
Actually North Korea acquired a license…
Countries like India and China got licenses for Flanker because of it’s longer range and extra firepower. Iran could not afford to buy a large batch of MiG-29 to get license production. Other countries have the same problem, there is no point in getting one if you are only buying 24 aircraft.
a89SMOTR video (with English subtitles) on MiG-29SD upgrade performed for Slovakia. The documentary does not go into much detail but chief test pilot of RSK MiG provides some interesting details:
– Cost per hour of flying reduced by 40%.
– Readiness increased from 40-45% to 83%. RSK MiG has guaranteed a 75% readiness.
a89Red Wings, owner of Tu-204 that crashed a few weeks ago, has lost its operating license.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/watchdog-revokes-red-wings-license/474957.html
End of Tu-204?
a89Well, I wouldn’t say that we have seen the end of the story. Based of what I have read in recent years I think there is interest from Russia but obviously they are not going to pay nowhere near what Ukraine is asking.
The ship would probably need a major overhaul and a modernization. I don’t really see the point.
a89There seems to be a few errors in that piece of news because it states that last year, Peru leased 8 Su-30. They have struggled to pay MiG-29 upgrade, I don not see how they can afford Flankers.
There have been many heated discussions about EF-2000 program in Spanish speaking forums. With current crisis Spanish MoD is literraly bankrupt, with huge debts. Eurofighter’s is the main (Leo-2E amongst others) and this has led to much criticism. Development was delayed and the cost was much higher than anticipated. Some EF-2000 are stored and unfinished because there is no funding. It is also pointed out that Turkish F-4 Phantom can deploy AG ammunition that is not available yet in EF-2000.
IMO the deals with USA have been underestimated in the past. The contract to get F-18 for Spanish Air Force has been one of the most succesful. Perhaps there were alternatives to EF-2000 which were overlooked due to desire to join other EU countries in a joint program.
a89post cold war F-16s = lots of orders, lots of developments, AESA, etc
Currently AESA radar is only used in UAE F-16s; this represents less than 5% of the production. Your statement sounds as if AESA radar has been standard in F-16 for 25 years or something.
I find the F-16 the most suitable fighter aircraft for nations that have limited budget and cannot afford heavier models (F-18, Su-30, EF-2000). However, latest MiG-29 should be quite comparable. The main difference is that F-16 sales allowed newer variants to be deployed, while RSK MiG sales were based on stored aircraft from VVS and Iraqui orders with little variation. The trend has somewhat changed in the last years due to contracts with India, Russia, Sudan and other countries. Now RSK MiG has a production like running and is upgrading older versions.
a89Currently AIM-120 has a real life hit ratio of about 33% from memory. So 4 aircraft launching 8 missiles would probably bag at least 2 and maybe a third MiG-29.
This ratio was achieved in ideal conditions i.e. with AWACS support and in some cases, foes who did not have fully operational aircraft.
The Ethiopia scenario isn’t really indicative of much, IMO.
We don’t now the pilot quality, we don’t know the missile status, or the engagement specifics.
Yes, it is not known where the missiles came from, if the life was expired, and how they were handled by flight personnel.
a89In this scenarios we can conclude that newer technology give some advantageous, but didn’t make you untouchable opponent.
Additionaly in many vs many engagement the fights end in WVR – so BFM is still in use ( some guys believe that current fight is only BVR).
Sure, the thing is that NATO has had access to MiG-29A 9.12A technology for ages. You would expect F-16 ECM equipment capable of dealing efficiently with it.
a89ff1987 translated this information on Polish Air Force exercises. I have discussed these results in several forums. Most of the people are really surprised about MiG-29 efectiveness because it’s an early version without ECM equipment (like Gardenya) and the old radar. R-27 missile is also quite effective. Any opinions?
Polish magazine “Armia” 3-4/2009 , 5/2009
article : F-16 vs MiG-29
http://www.sklep.kagero.pl/16-armia-5-2009.html
http://www.sklep.kagero.pl/15-armia-3-4-2009.html
Col. M.Wiączkowski ( MiG-29 pilot) describe some fights:
1)scenario :
BVR – distance over 50km , 4 MiG-29 (9.12) vs 2 F-16blk 52+
results : 2 F-16 and 1 MiG-29 shoot down
(F-16 were supposed to attack and Mig-29 were flying CAP).
2) scenario :
BVR , 4 vs 4 , F-16 had E-3C support.
results : 4 MiG-29 shoot down
F-16 was flying by U.S. instructors at that time.
And some explanations…
“In time, when the monthly exercise Fruit Fly Polish pilots took over the reins completely new F-16, the scales tipped straight victories in the direction of the F-16
At this point, it should be noted that it does not undermine the ability of American pilots, but only affirm undeniable facts. With full responsibility, we can conclude that a different airline personnel training system of American (75% based on the interaction with AWACS) is noticeable not only in serving not only air combat training, but also during normal flight school. In our field conditions and with our air defense systems, U.S. pilots to cope with varying fortune, which was confirmed by exercises which took place over the last few years. The Polish pilots trained in air combat with the F-16 both 1vs1, 2vs2. Several times tried clashes 1 MiG-29 vs 2 F-16 and the results obtained are really different from not settled, including the fight due to the ending of fuel “
Another pilots { 1)MiG-29 and 2)F-16 pilots } relations from “FruitFly” exercises :
1)scenario
Red : 4 F-16 (escort) , 4 Su-22 ( bombers )
Blue : 4 MiG-29 (CAP)
-some AMRAAM and R-27 shoot were evade ( max range shoot ) by turning away
-AMRAAM kill 2 MiG-29 in BVR
-R-27 kill 1 F-16 in BVR
-R-73 kill 2 F-16 in WVR
results : 2 MiG-29 and 3 F-16 shoot down
2)scenario
Red : 4 F-16 (escort) , 4 Su-22 ( bombers )
Blue : 4 MiG-29 (CAP)
-start at alt 8-9km
-distance : F-16 detect MiG-29 from 120km , track at 80 km , only one F-16 used his radar , and thanks to link 16 provide data to the others F-16s.
-first shoot were below 80km ( at max range ) – 4 AMRAAM and 2 R-27 , and all missiles failed.
-second shoot were below 50km – some r-27 and 2 AMRAAM were fire – and results some kills at 30km – 1 MiG was killed by AMRAAM and 2 Su22 by R-27
-second MiG-29 was killed ( but author didn’t go into detail) – probably by another AMRAAM shoot.
-third Su-22 shoot down
-fight end in WVR , 2 vs 2 , results -1 MiG-29 killed by AIM-9X and another because lack of fuel .
– so 4 MiGs and 3 Su-22 were shoot down in this scenario
I would like to emphasize that in both the above scenarios, despite the use of medium-range missiles, combat ends in WVR. Exercises “Fruit Fly” allow full use of aircraft equipment (EW, radar, etc.), as are the internal exercises of the Polish army, no foreign guests.
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=120736&page=3
Note that in the first exercise involving Su-22 the priority for the MiG-29 were the escorting F-16. In the second the Su-22.
a89It seems that the only ones who are willing to step up to the challenge comes from the east
Yes, but the market for Russian aircraft is not comparable to pre-1991. For me the big difference is that Boeing is supported by USA, and Airbus by the largest countries of the EU. These 2 markets are huge, and lead to enormous contracts, which allow very competitive prices and excellent support facilities. If you have to choose between a Tu-204SM and A320 based on support, is a no brainer.
a89In addition, Peru has recently acquired new MiG-29s (SM version I believe, no humpback)
There are no plans to acquire MiG-29 so far. I thought those SMT rejected by Algeria were a good option for many countries, as RSK MiG could not afford to have another scandal. By the way, I did not know about the 250 million $ deposit.
There is also Kazakhstan as a potential buyer.
a89What about MTBO, MTBF and useful life? This is another area which is very important when operating the aircraft.
Which begs the question, why do they need to build more of them, instead of upgrading the airframes they all ready have?
The useful life of a Candid is not comparable to that of an airliner. According to Airliners.net it’s about 6.000 hours/4.000 landings for earlier series and 13.000/4.500 for later. Many of the earlier birds have been scrapped.
a89An excellent article on the MiG-29 and export possibilities:
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