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MiG-29

Iran received a shipment of Russian MiG-29 fighter jets, as confirmed by a senior member of its parliament, Abolfazl Zohrevand, who stated that the aircraft are stationed at an airbase in Shiraz. This delivery is described as a temporary measure to bolster Iran's aging air force while awaiting more advanced Sukhoi Su-35 jets from Russia. The move came amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, with Iran seeking to enhance its aerial capabilities in response to regional threats, particularly from Israel. The MiG-29 is designed for air superiority and close combat with an aerodynamic design similar to the Sukhoi Su-27, but on a smaller scale.

According to reports, the MiG-29s were transferred by Russia, potentially without depleting Iran's foreign currency reserves significantly, as part of broader military cooperation between the two nations. Iran chose the MiG-29 over alternatives like China's J-10C for reasons including compatibility with existing systems, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to acquire them in considerable numbers. Video footage emerged showing one of these jets patrolling over Tehran, highlighting their operational deployment shortly after arrival.

In addition to the fighter jets, Iran is reportedly receiving advanced air defense systems, including Russia's S-400 and China's HQ-9, to further strengthen its military posture. These deliveries are part of a strategic partnership involving Russia and China, aimed at modernizing Iran's defenses despite ongoing international sanctions. Social media discussions reflect a mix of optimism about Iran's enhanced capabilities and skepticism regarding the MiG-29's effectiveness against more modern adversaries like Israel's F-35s.

While the exact number of MiG-29s delivered remains unconfirmed in public sources, estimates suggest around 67 units, though experts note that this alone may not fully address Iran's airpower deficiencies. Calls for acquiring hundreds more jets and deploying air defenses deeper into allied territories like Iraq have surfaced in online analyses. The transfers underscore the deepening military ties between Iran, Russia, and China amid global geopolitical shifts as of September 2025.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum is a Russian fourth-generation fighter whose prototype first flew in 1977. Reaching speeds of Mach 2.2, this twin-engine fighter outperforms even the F-16 in maneuverability and instantaneous and sustained turn rates in close combat at low speeds. Despite problems related to its short operational range and outdated avionics, it is still operated by many countries, including Russia.

Despite the development of 5th generation fighters such as the Su-57, the MiG-29 remains attractive to countries with limited budgets due to its low cost and flexibility. Ongoing upgrades, such as the integration of an AESA radar and more accurate weapons, have extended its operational life into the 2030s. In 2025, there have been reports of existing MiG-29s being upgraded with advanced electronic warfare systems and anti-drone lasers, indicating an effort to maintain the platform's competitiveness.

With this description, the MiG-29, if used in upgraded versions, can be used as a short-term solution. The new and refreshed versions will have acceptable maneuverability and combat capabilities at least against the Israeli F-15 and F-16 fighters. However, the MiG-29 still does not stand much of a chance on the battlefield against newer generation fighters such as the F-35 and new versions of the F-15.

The Iranian MiG-29 is one of the most modern Soviet-era fighters in the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force, acquired at a crucial moment in the country’s military history. Altogether, Iran has operated roughly twenty-five to thirty of these fighters, though the exact number in flying condition fluctuates due to the difficulties of spare parts and maintenance under international sanctions. As of 2023, around 19 were estimated to remain operational, reflecting attrition from accidents and wear.

In the 1990s, Iran purchased a number of MiG-29 Fulcrum-A from the former Soviet Union. According to various reports, Iran had around 30 of these multirole fighter jets. However, the exact number of active MiG-29s in the Iranian Air Force may have changed due to the lack of full transparency in Iran's military information and the time passed since the purchase of these aircraft. Some planes may be non-operational due to repairs, maintenance, or other malfunctions.

MiGs entered Iran via several routes, starting with direct purchase from the Soviet Union. In 1989, Iran signed a deal with the Soviet Union for 18-20 MiG-29 (9.12B variant) single-seat fighters and 4 MiG-29UB two-seat trainers, with deliveries commencing in October 1990. These aircraft were intended to bolster Iran's air defense capabilities, providing a modern alternative to its aging U.S.-sourced fleet like F-4 Phantoms and F-14 Tomcats. The MiG-29s entered service with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) shortly after, marking the first Soviet/Russian jets in Iranian inventory since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This purchase was part of Iran's efforts to strengthen its air force following the damages caused by the Iran-Iraq war. At that time, the Soviet Union was still selling weapons to various countries, and Iran was one of the buyers of advanced Soviet weapons.

During the 1991 Gulf War, Iran's MiG-29 fleet received an unexpected boost. Many Iraqi aircraft, including at least four MiG-29s, were transferred to Iran. When Iraq was attacked by the US-led international coalition forces, a number of the Iraqi Air Force aircraft flew to Iran to avoid being destroyed in coalition airstrikes. Iran kept these aircraft and did not return them to Iraq after the war. As a result, some of the MiG-29s in the Iranian Air Force entered through this way.

Iran impounded these jets and integrated them into its own forces, effectively expanding its inventory without additional purchases. Some sources estimate up to seven Iraqi MiG-29s were acquired this way, though exact numbers vary. This opportunistic addition helped Iran maintain a squadron strength despite international sanctions that limited further imports.

In the 1990s, Iran sought to expand its MiG-29 fleet further, attempting to purchase 48 more in 1992, but the deal collapsed due to geopolitical pressures and UN sanctions. Another effort in 1997 to acquire 21 MiG-29s from Moldova was thwarted when the United States preemptively bought them to prevent the sale to Iran.

Iran's MiG-29 fighters are divided into two main models.

MiG-29B-12 (Fulcrum A) is an export version of the MiG-29, designed for non-Soviet customers and lacking the capability to carry nuclear weapons. The N019 radar, with a detection range of about 70 km for aerial targets, it has the ability to track and engage multiple targets. Electronic Warfare System (ECM) is designed to counter enemy radar threats. Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system detects friendly and enemy targets. The aerodynamic design with delta wings and two vertical rudders makes this fighter very agile for close combat (dogfights). This model forms the core of Iran's MiG-29 fleet and is mostly used in temperate regions such as Tabriz due to the limitations of the RD-33 engine in hot climates.

MiG-29UB (Fulcrum B) two-seat model is designed for pilot training and lacks a main radar, but has limited combat capabilities. Iran purchased four of this model, and some Iraqi refugee fighters were also of this type. This model is mainly used for pilot training and practice missions.

Due to sanctions and limited access to key parts, Iran has made several indigenous upgrades to its MiG-29s:

• Aerial refueling system : For the first time in the world, Iran installed an aerial refueling system on the UB model, which increased the fighter's operational range.
• Digital displays : Replacing analog instruments with modern displays to improve the pilot interface.
• Advanced navigation systems : Upgrading navigation systems to increase mission accuracy.
• Indigenous weapons : Use of R-73 and R-27 air-to-air missiles and possibly Iranian missiles to enhance combat capability.

Despite upgrades, the age of Iran's MiG-29s (over 35 years) reduces their effectiveness against new-generation fighters. The N019 radar has poorer range and multi-target tracking performance compared to modern radars such as AESA.

Iran's MiG-29s are primarily used for air superiority, interception, and air defense. However, indigenous upgrades have enabled them to perform multi-role missions, including close support and ground attack. These fighters have demonstrated their capabilities in various Iranian Air Force exercises, such as the "Fedayian Harim Velayat" exercise.

Operationally, the MiG-29s have been used primarily for air superiority and interception roles, including patrols over Tehran and the Persian Gulf. Iran invested in a $700 million repair and modernization program in the 2000s, enhancing avionics, adding aerial refueling probes, and integrating new missiles to extend their service life. Demonstrations of their capabilities, such as low-level target engagements, showcased their role in Iran's defense strategy.

The MiG-29's service in Iran has been marred by several incidents and crashes, often attributed to maintenance challenges under sanctions. Notable losses include a MiG-29UB that crashed on takeoff in May 2016, a single-seater destroyed in December 2019 near Mount Sabalan after an overhaul, and another in January 2020 in the same region. More recently, in June 2025, reports emerged of multiple MiG-29s damaged or destroyed in an Israeli airstrike on a hangar at Mehrabad International Airport.

The MiG-29s in Iranian service are mostly early models. The MiG-29A, known in Soviet terminology as the 9.12 variant, serves as the primary single-seat fighter, while the MiG-29UB (9.51) functions as a two-seat conversion trainer. The Iraqi examples are of similar configuration, though they may have carried minor avionics differences when they first arrived. For Iran, the MiG-29 filled the gap between its older American-supplied aircraft, like the F-4 Phantom and F-5 Tiger, and the unique but aging fleet of F-14 Tomcats that remained the backbone of long-range defense.

In operational terms, the MiG-29 has been used mainly for air defense and interception duties. Its standard weapons include Soviet-supplied R-27 and R-73 air-to-air missiles, as well as unguided bombs and rockets for limited ground-attack roles. Iranian officials have periodically claimed that domestic programs have integrated local weapons and avionics into the jets, though independent confirmation of these upgrades is limited. Maintenance has been a constant challenge, yet Iran has a long tradition of reverse-engineering critical components to keep its foreign aircraft flying. Reports suggest that indigenous radar and electronic systems have been fitted to some airframes, though these details are often closely guarded.

Today, most Iranian MiG-29s are based at Mehrabad in Tehran and at Tabriz Air Base, where they stand alert for quick-reaction defense missions. They have not been heavily engaged in combat, but they remain a visible symbol of Iran’s ability to operate high-performance fighters in the face of isolation. In military exercises and national parades, the MiG-29 is regularly displayed alongside F-14s and Su-24s, representing a blend of Soviet and American technology that characterizes Iran’s eclectic and improvisational approach to air power.

Iran's MiG-29 fleet has experienced a series of crashes and operational losses over the years, often linked to maintenance issues, harsh environmental conditions, and the challenges of sustaining Soviet-era aircraft under prolonged international sanctions. One notable incident occurred on May 24, 2016, when a MiG-29UB two-seater trainer crashed shortly after takeoff from Tabriz Air Base during a routine training flight. The accident, attributed to a technical malfunction possibly involving engine failure, resulted in the deaths of both pilots, highlighting the risks associated with aging airframes and limited access to original spare parts.

A particularly tragic event took place on December 25, 2019, involving a MiG-29 that crashed into Mount Sabalan in northwest Iran during a post-overhaul test flight. The aircraft, which had undergone major inspections and repairs, plummeted into the mountainous terrain under unclear circumstances, killing the pilot. Investigations suggested possible factors such as adverse weather, pilot error, or undetected mechanical issues, exacerbating concerns about the reliability of Iran's refurbished jets.

Just weeks later, on January 6, 2020, another MiG-29 met a similar fate in the same Sabalan region, crashing near a dormant volcano and claiming the lives of two pilots. This back-to-back loss prompted internal reviews within the IRIAF, with reports indicating that the jet experienced a sudden loss of control during a training mission, further straining Iran's already diminished fleet.

More recently, on June 13, 2025, multiple MiG-29s were reportedly destroyed or severely damaged in an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) airstrike targeting a hangar at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran. This non-accidental incident, part of escalating regional tensions, resulted in the loss of several aircraft on the ground, underscoring vulnerabilities in Iran's airbase defenses and the strategic targeting of its fighter inventory by adversaries.

Adding to these setbacks, a MiG-29 suffered a catastrophic engine failure on September 28, 2025, leading to a stall and crash during an attempted emergency landing at the 3rd Tactical Fighter Base (TFB) Nojeh. The pilot was killed in the incident, which has been described as part of a broader pattern of attrition affecting Iran's MiG-29 operations, prompting calls for accelerated modernization efforts.

These events, combined with earlier losses during the 1991 Gulf War integrations and routine patrols, have reduced the operational fleet to an estimated 19 aircraft by 2023, though recent Russian deliveries aim to mitigate ongoing challenges.

In the aftermath of the 12-day conflict with Israel in June, Iran’s military capability has been strengthened on several fronts and the Armed Forces are now said to be prepared to meet any military threat. Reports have circulated that Iran is moving to acquire Russian Su-35, MiG-35 and MiG-29 fighters, along with S-400 air-defense batteries. These procurements were not conceived solely in response to the Israeli war. A large share stems from pre-existing defense planning, but given the country’s current circumstances those plans have reportedly been fast-tracked. Some of the equipment may already have been purchased earlier, and authorities have apparently permitted details of the deals to leak out.

Ryan McBeth noted "To keep just 8 fighters airborne 24/7, Tehran would need 50–100 jets. For wartime defense? Closer to 200. And for full air dominance? Over 300. Iran isn’t even in the neighborhood. So why roll out a few MiG-29s on TV? It’s good propaganda at home. But militarily, it doesn’t solve the problem. Iran is still betting its survival on drones, missiles, and asymmetric tools — not fighters.

"Iran's got one of the largest land areas in the world, about 1.65 million square kilometers with thousands of kilometers of borders and coastline.... So, what would Iran need to cover its airspace? This is kind of the the the million-dollar question here. If Iran wants to keep just one fighter on station 247, you need like 8 to 12 jets to cycle crews, handle maintenance, generate sorties. That's just basic force planning, right? For every every one jet that's in the air, like a third is on maintenance, a third is doing training. So using that kind of 8 to 12 rule, one 812 rule, you're looking at 50 to 100 jets just for air policing.

"So, minimum of 50 to 100 jets maintaining eight in the air for basic air sovereignty and interception. Let's crank this up. Let's talk about wartime. For a real genuine, honest god wartime defense, you need at least six sectors, 3 to four aircraft each. That's 20 airborne 247. Multiply that out, you need between 170 to 210 jet fighters. And we haven't even accounted for attrition. If Tran wanted full air dominance across all of its possible approaches, we're talking that Tran needs at least 300 or so fighters."