The MiG-29: Why the Soviet Dogfight Champion Failed

Soviet Dogfight Champion: The MiG-29's Rise and Fall The MiG-29: Why the Soviet Fighter Failed The MiG-29 Fulcrum is a fourth-generation Soviet multirole fighter developed by the MiG Design Bureau in the 1970s. The aircraft was developed as part of the LFI (Light Frontline Fighter) program, whose mission was to provide an air front against enemy fighters, as well as active support for ground and air forces, primarily in the potential European theater of operations. Consequently, the MiG-29 was designed for active, maneuverable air combat at short and medium ranges - a Dogfight champion. This determined its configuration, some aspects of which are controversial today. Immediately after its launch into production and initial deliveries to the armed forces, the MiG-29 began undergoing extensive modernization, adapting to the changing aerial warfare concepts of the 1980s. The key step in this direction was supposed to be the introduction of the MiG-29M and MiG-29K—more effective and versatile fighters. However, with the collapse of the USSR and the subsequent economic crisis, these projects were shelved, and in head-to-head competition on the global market, the MiG-29 was outperformed by both foreign fighters and its larger brother, the Su-27. Nevertheless, the MiG continued to be developed and, by the early 21st century, relaunched the MiG-29M and MiG-29K projects. The carrier-based fighter was delivered to the Russian and Indian navies, and the MiG-29M eventually evolved into the MiG-35. Thank you for watching. Instagram:   / skyships_world   Facebook:   / skyshipscom   Patreon:   / skyships   00:00 – MiG-29 00:38 – 4th Generation Fighter 03:29 – LFI Concept 06:19 – New design 08:31 – Birth of the MiG-29 11:22 – Fighter description 13:29 – Engines 16:08 – Equipment 18:30 – Weapons 20:18 – Flight performance 22:10 – Model 9-13 22:58 – Beginning of service 24:26 – Airshow Star 26:54 – MiG-29M and MiG-29K 31:55 – Problems of a Frontline fighter 35:33 – Why is the MiG so heavy? 38:04 – SM, SMT, and OVT modifications 39:24 – Relaunch of the MiG-29M and MiG-29K 40:53 – MiG-35 and the MMRCA tender 42:54 – MiGs in Russia and around the world 44:28 – The end?