Ukrainian MiG‑29 pilot pleads for Western aircraft and advanced weapons to combat Russian aviation
"At present, our nation has a sufficient number of airbases at its disposal from which we can conduct combat operations efficiently," states Aleksandr, as cited by Defense Express. However, the outdated condition of Ukraine's aircraft remains a challenge. "Sadly, our planes are quite antiquated. They're not adept at carrying out combat tasks effectively," acknowledges the officer, who routinely works with the MiG-29 team.
5:47 PM EST, December 16, 2023
Aleksandr accentuates that despite fluctuating weather conditions, Ukrainian aircraft are fully battle-ready and can lift off within minutes to disable enemy air targets. Unfortunately, this isn't sufficient to overpower the resistance fronted by the Russians. "We're in desperate need of modern weaponry," pleads the MiG-29 pilot. He also insists that, in addition to weapons, Ukraine requires assets such as an AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft.
Ukrainian MiG-29 fighters
Broadly, the MiG-29s are honored as some of the finest creations from the past century. The performance capabilities of these aircraft are frequently compared to the preliminary versions of the American F-15 and F-16 fighters.
The MiG-29s are designed to combat airborne and ground-based targets. They have a relatively limited range of around 1056 miles - compared to the F-16 which can journey more than approximately 1864 miles - and are thus mainly deployed for combat near the front lines and in proximity to allied bases.
These aircraft, manufactured since 1983, can reach speeds over about 1491 mph. A single MiG-29 weighs around 12 tons (compared to the Russian Su-27 which weighs around 18 tons, and the American F-16 weighing over 8.8 tons). The MiG-29's basic weaponry constitutes a 30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon. The aircraft can potentially be armed with up to nine weapons stations and carry medium-range R-27 air-to-air missiles, R-73 missiles, and aerial bombs weighing approximately 3.3 tons.
Defense Express highlighted that the MiG-29 pilot's primary concern, as depicted in the video released on the Ukrainian armed forces' channel, is the inadequate supply of armament for the aircraft. This concern primarily relates to the missiles and rockets equipped on the fighters. While the aircraft possess the necessary infrastructure for operation, they require upgrades in terms of weaponry.
