Soviet-era fighter jets, the iconic MiG-29s, known as “Fulcrums” to NATO, have been at the heart of Ukraine’s air defense strategy against the Russian invasion.

Despite their age and being outclassed by more modern adversaries, these fighters continue to fly, defying expectations and holding their own in the contested skies above Ukraine.

Ukraine inherited its fleet of MiG-29s after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Though outdated, these jets have shown surprising resilience and capability, taking advantage of their agility and armament.

With an operational range improvement from 930 miles to 1,300 miles when using external fuel tanks, the fighters have been an essential stopgap in Ukraine’s defense.

Their usage of a mid-mounted sweep-wing and leading-edge root extensions has made them visually distinct and agile combatants capable of impressive turn rates and high angles of attack.

Despite their venerable age and less advanced technology compared to the latest Western fighters, the MiG-29s have received upgrades over the years.

For instance, Polish MiG-29s provided to Ukraine came with “modern transponders, GPS, radar-warning receivers, NATO-style radios, new avionics, cockpit displays and a MIL STD 1552 digital data bus,” enabling them to deploy GPS-guided munitions. This generosity from Poland and Slovakia has been crucial in reinforcing Ukraine’s air capabilities.

However, Ukraine is looking ahead. With the anticipated arrival of American-made F-16s by mid-2023, a major shift in Ukraine’s aerial defense capability is expected.

According to Commander in Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valery Zaluzhnyi, while F-16s would have been “less helpful” a year ago due to Russia’s enhanced air defenses, they still represent a significant upgrade in the long term.

F-16s possess more powerful radars and advanced missiles compared to the MiG-29s, potentially allowing Ukrainian pilots to engage enemy aircraft and targets at greater distances.

As Ukraine transitions to F-16s, it faces numerous challenges, including pilot training, adaptation to new operational techniques, and maintenance issues on damaged and makeshift runways.

Nevertheless, the F-16 represents a path towards technological parity with NATO standards.

Robert Farley, a professor at the University of Kentucky, noted, “What Ukraine has now is a dead end; It’s not going anywhere. If you want to have an air force in 10 years, it’s going to have to be F-16s or something similar.”

The introduction of F-16s is more than a tactical adjustment—it’s a strategic realignment towards Western military infrastructure, promising a significant leap in Ukraine’s defense capabilities and a gradual phasing out of its aging Soviet-era fleet.

The F-16s also offer the potential for Ukraine to fully leverage systems such as the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) in air-to-air combat, providing a “fire and forget” capability previously unavailable.

Relevant articles:
– Ukraine’s MiG-29 Fighters: Old Soviet Jets Making a Big Impact, The National Interest
– MiG-29: Russia’s Fighter Jet Failure?, nationalinterest.org
– 16 fighter jets could reshape Ukraine’s aerial battlefield, Reuters
– Why MiG Fighter Jets Are Not The Answer To Ukraine’s Problems, Newsweek