The MiG-29, NATO-codename Fulcrum, is one of Russia's most advanced and most capable fighter aircraft. Designed primarily as an air-superiority fighter, it reached operational status with the Soviet air defense forces in 1985. Today, the mission of the MiG-29 is to engage hostile air targets within radar coverage limits, and also to attack ground targets using unguided weapons in visual flight conditions. Similar in size, design and performance to the American F-16 and F/A-18 fighters, the MiG-29 is in fact superior to her NATO counterparts in some areas. It is the world's first aircraft fitted with dual mode air intakes. While the aircraft is on the ground, the main air intakes are closed and air is fed through openings on the upper surface of the wing root to prevent ingestion of foreign objects from the runway. The Fulcrum is also the world's first operational front line fighter to be equipped with turbofan engines, providing a thrust to weight ratio greater than 1:1 for very high maneuverability.

The MiG-29 is one the most successful Soviet/Russian military aircraft designs, currently in service in 23 different countries, including Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Malaysia, North Korea, Peru, Poland,

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Romania, Russia, Syria, the Ukraine, and Yugoslavia. At least as maneuverable as the F-16, with better high alpha performance, the MiG-29 is also capable of operating from much shorter, more primitive airstrips. Its sophisticated intakes allow it to exceed Mach 2, and it has a faster rate of climb. Its AA-10 Alamo missiles give the MiG-29 a superior BVR (beyond visual range) capability. A helmet-mounted sighting system allows true off-boresight missile firing capability, freeing the Fulcrum pilot from pointing his nose at the target to 'lock it up.' Finally the integrated fire control system allows the MiG-29 pilot to detect and track, then lock on to and launch his missiles against a target without using his radar. In short, the MiG-29 is the best all-round air superiority fighter in the world