MIKOYAN-GUREVICH MIG-29 FULCRUM-A

Development of the MiG-29 began in the late 1960s to meet the Soviet Union's requirement for a modern small tactical fighter to replace the MiG-21. The aircraft that emerged in 1977 proved to be a more than worthy successor. Flight testing was still underway in 1982 when the first production aircraft were rushed off the assembly line to match the latest generation of American fighters the F-16 and F/A-18. Like its predecessor the MiG-21 the Fulcrum was widely exported by the Soviet Union with nearly thirty countries using the export version of the MiG-29. The exported aircraft were not as capable as the ones built for Soviet use. They have a less capable radar and lack the ability to drop nuclear weapons. This aircraft was built for the Soviet Air Force and had full electronic and weapons capabilities.