The Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum is Russian lethal weapon in the sky, a powerful air guardian which has multi-role to play. MiG-29 Fulcrum is a single-seat supersonic jet fighter aircraft, agile and sophisticated which can reach 2,100 km flight range. Dogfight superiority is one of the capabilities possessed by this twin-engine fighter.

The Cold War, or Russian people call it Kholodnaya Voyna, lasted during the years of 1947 to 1991. The war involved Communist World which led by Soviet Union and Western world which conveyed by United States of America. Their allies definitely involved too. Although both leading countries did not directly meet in an open war but their proxy wars broke out in some other countries. A notable war between the Two Super Powers is technology war including military aviation.

In 1969, United States Air Force released a new military aircraft program called F-X which was the embryo of later-known McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. This program definitely pushed Soviet Union to create counter program and it was an ambitious one. It called for a long-range, agile, over Mach 2, and can carry heavy armament jet fighter. The program also demanded a jet fighter which can take off and land on unprepared austere runways. The Soviet program was called Perspektivnyy Frontovoy Istrebitel (PFI) and the West called it as Advanced Frontline Fighter.

The PFI program resulted in MiG-29A which its first flight was on October 6, 1977 and firstly introduced to public in August 1983. Then NATO gave a name to the Soviet new fighter, Fulcrum. The Fulcrum was designed to dogfight against American F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon which were developed at almost at the same time. The MiG-29 has a task to be a protective umbrella for moving ground army, being an escort for rapid armored advance. This jet fighter also has a role to conduct local air strike.

This $29 million jet fighter is still in service until today. Some variants of MiG-29 has been produced including MiG-29B-12 (downgraded version for exporting to non Warsaw Pact countries), MiG-29UB-12 (for training purpose, twin-seat version), MiG-29S (similar with MiG-29B with some improvements in the flight control), MiG-29S-13 (similar to MiG-29A with an enlarged fuselage spine), MiG-29SM Fulcrum-C which can carry guided air-to-air missiles and laser-guided bombs, MiG-29G/GT – an upgraded version for East Germany Air Force, MiG-29AS/MiG-29UBS/MiG-29SD which some upgrade performed by Slovak Air Force, MiG-29 Sniper (upgraded version for Romanian Air Force), MiG-29M (implements fly-by-wire and powered by more powerful engines), MiG-29OVT with new technology of thrust vectoring and advanced fly-by-wire and other variants. Now the design bureau is developing a new variant called MiG-35 Fulcrum F.

Although it was primarily designed to perform lighter tasks than Sukhoi SU-27 Flanker, MiG-29 Fulcrum. is a deterrence factor for any fighters that want to enter air territory of MiG-29 operators. Its dogfight maneuverability moreover with thrust vectoring system on its exhaust is improving. Fulcrum is one of jet fighter which can perform Pugachev’s Cobra maneuver. Its rival should be braver and more genius to win air combat against MiG-29 Fulcrum.