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The U.S. Military Secretly Bought Russian-Made MiG-29s Fighters

Russia's MiG-29 fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Russia's MiG-29 fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Key Points and Summary: In 1997, the United States secretly bought 21 MiG-29 fighter jets from Moldova to prevent their sale to Iran, which sought nuclear-capable MiG-29C variants.

-The deal included 14 MiG-29Cs, six MiG-29As, one MiG-29B, missiles, and spare parts, which were shipped to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for testing.

-US and Israeli pilots found the MiG-29 to be an advanced and capable fighter, invaluable for understanding Soviet technology.

-Moldova, unable to maintain its post-Soviet fleet, sold the aircraft, securing US support and averting a potential Middle East crisis. Most of these MiG-29s were later scrapped, though some became static displays.

Why Did The US Buy MiG-29s From Moldova?

The United States secretly bought 21 MiG-29s from Moldova at the end of the Cold War. After completing the sale, the MiG-29s were shipped to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio for detailed testing.

The MiG-29s proved invaluable for intelligence regarding what they did well and what they did not. US and Israeli pilots flew the aircraft and learned its ins and outs to understand better how to combat them.

The Mig-29 Was an Outstanding 4th-Generation Fighter

The Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 was designed to dogfight American-made F-16s and F-15s. But it also had ground attack capability. The Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (MiG OKB), set about designing the MiG-29 in the 1970s.

US reconnaissance satellites detected the new fighter in late 1977, and NATO designated it the “Fulcrum.” Early aircraft were deficient in several areas, such as the radars, which couldn’t distinguish low-flying aircraft from ground clutter.

The MiG-29’s builders remedied the issue. An improvement in the pilot’s helmet allowed the pilot to look at the target without turning his head to engage the missile lock. 

Two Isotov RD-33 turbofans of approximately 18,300 lbs each with thrust afterburners powered the MiG-29. It had a top speed of Mach 2.3 and was armed with a 30mmGSh-301 cannon; six air-to-air missiles (mixture of medium-range, radar-guided AA-10 “Alamo-A;” or close-range, infrared-guided AA-11 “Archer;” and/or close-range, infrared-guided AA-8 “Aphid” missiles); able to carry bombs and 57mm, 80mm and 240mm rockets in the attack role. 

In many ways, the MiG-29 was the equal of the F-16 and F-15 aircraft; in some ways, it was even better. 

The US Swings a Secret Deal with Moldova

The tiny country of Moldova sits near Russia. After the fall and breakup of the Soviet Union, Moldova found itself with 34 MiG-29s and eight Mi-8 Hip medium-lift helicopters it neither wanted nor could afford.

Washington was afraid that Moldova would sell the MiGs to Iran, especially the MiG-29C variant that could carry nuclear weapons. Even as far back as the 1980s, it was no secret that Iran was desperate to become a nuclear power. And Iran made it clear it was interested in the MiG-29C, Moldova told Washington.

The US believed that if Iran got their hands on nukes, it would destabilize the entire Middle East. The US bought 21 MiGs and secretly shipped them to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, on C-17s. The US bought 14 MiG-29Cs as part of the package.

MiG-29

MiG-29 fighter jet. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

Under an agreement finalized on October 1997, the United States acquired 14 MiG 29Cs, which US officials said were wired to permit the delivery of nuclear weapons, six MiG 29As, one MiG 29B, 500 air-to-air missiles, and all the spare parts and diagnostic equipment present at the Moldovan air base where the aircraft were stationed.

Israel Got MiG-29s And Loved Them

There, in secrecy from the rest of the world, the US pilots began to study, train on, and fly the MiG-29s. They learned that the aircraft was a very worthy adversary. The Israelis got some of their own MiG-29s and really liked several of its features.

“It’s an advanced aircraft, and in close maneuvering engagements, it is absolutely terrific,” Israeli Air Force LTG M. said. “It makes sharp turns, it’s quick, and in my opinion, as a platform, it does not fall short of our advanced fighter jets.”

Russia produced more than 1,600 MiG-29s since 1983. They are widely used worldwide by Russia, Ukraine, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran, North Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Peru, Poland, Serbia, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, and was previously used by the air forces of Kyrgyzstan, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Malaysia, Iraq, Slovakia, and Yugoslavia.

MiG-29

MiG-29 fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

While a few of the MiG-29s that the US purchased from Moldova are static displays now at several US Air Force bases, the rest were probably scrapped. There were rumors that the US was giving the MiG-29s to Ukraine as part of the several aid packages there. But that hasn’t been confirmed. 

About the Author: 

Steve Balestrieri is a 19FortyFive National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing for 19FortyFive, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in other military publications.

Written By

Steve Balestrieri is a 1945 National Security Columnist. He has served as a US Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer before injuries forced his early separation. In addition to writing for 1945, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and his work was regularly featured in the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle and Grafton News newspapers in Massachusetts.

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