Introduction to the DefenceDetective Newsletter
The DefenceDetective Newsletter provides weekly insights and analysis on the latest developments in military technology, strategy, and foreign policy.
Ukraine’s MiG-29 Fleet Gets a Boost from Azerbaijan
Evidence has emerged that Ukraine has topped up its hard-worked fleet of MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters from a somewhat surprising source: Azerbaijan. While the number of aircraft involved is not considerable, any addition to the MiG-29 fleet will be welcome for the Ukrainian Air Force, which has also received Fulcrums donated by Poland and Slovakia.
Background on the MiG-29 Fleet
The Ukrainian Air Force started the war with around 50 MiG-29s in operational service, assigned to two regiments. According to the Oryx open-source tracking group, since the start of the current conflict, 31 Ukrainian MiG-29s have been confirmed destroyed, and more damaged. The actual figure is almost certainly higher.
Azerbaijan’s MiG-29s Originated in Ukraine
Interestingly, Azerbaijan’s fleet of MiG-29s originated in Ukraine. The former Soviet state, located on the Caspian Sea, adjacent to Georgia and Armenia, did not inherit MiG-29s from Soviet stocks. Instead, it acquired around 15 examples secondhand from Ukraine.
Tensions Between Azerbaijan and Russia
Evidence of a former Azerbaijani MiG-29 in Ukrainian service comes at a time when tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia are heightened. As reported by the U.S.-based think tank, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP), the arrest of several dozen ethnic Azerbaijanis in Russia earlier this summer, their subsequent beatings, and the death of at least two men, led to notable pushback from Azerbaijan.
Ukrainian Air Force Adaptation of the MiG-29
Despite the arrival of more modern and capable F-16s and Mirage 2000s, the MiG-29 remains prized by the Ukrainian Air Force. This is a fact reflected in its continued adaptation to carry new weaponry, both Western-supplied and locally developed. With significant stocks of spares and well-trained maintenance crews, the MiG-29 is regarded as easy to maintain and adapt.
Conclusion
Any efforts that bolster the Fulcrum fleet are of considerable value as the Ukrainian Air Force continues its campaign against the Russian aggressor. The addition of Azerbaijani MiG-29s to the Ukrainian fleet is a significant development, and it will be interesting to see how this affects the balance of power in the region.
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