In a grim revelation, it’s come to light that over half of Russia’s MiG-29SMT fleet is languishing, rusting away at Kursk Air Base, a stark reminder of how quickly the promises of modernization can fade. The MiG-29SMT once heralded as a groundbreaking step toward rejuvenating Russia’s aging MiG-29 fleet, has become little more than a symbol of missed opportunities and broken promises.
Over half of Russia’s MiG-29SMT fleet left to rust at Kursk
Photo credit: X
The Russian Air Force originally fielded around 40-42 of these upgraded MiG-29s—products of a modernization effort that began in the early 2000s. The aim was ambitious: take an aging Soviet-era design and turn it into a more capable and versatile multirole fighter.
Upgrades included modern avionics, an expanded fuel tank for a longer operational range, and enhanced radar and weapons systems, all designed to make the MiG-29SMT a more effective player in modern aerial combat.
Currently, more than half of the original Russian MiG-29SMTs are rusting away in the corners of Kursk AB. While around 2021, some SMT/UBs were transferred to the 514th aircraft maintenance facility, but unfortunately there is no info about them since then. Photos from the 514ARZ: pic.twitter.com/IAw8EE7zwX
— Eastern Order of Battle (@EasternOrbat) December 7, 2024
Yet, despite these improvements, the project suffered from chronic funding shortages, limiting the number of MiG-29s that received the upgrade. In the end, only a small batch of aircraft was converted, leaving the vast majority of the fleet either stuck in their original, outdated form or quietly fading away. But what’s happening to these planes now?
According to the Eastern Order of Battle account on X (formerly Twitter), the situation at Kursk is bleak. More than half of the MiG-29SMT fleet now sits abandoned, gathering rust and slowly deteriorating in the far reaches of the airbase. The question then arises: why has such a significant portion of these fighters been allowed to decay into obsolescence?
While a handful of MiG-29SMTs were transferred to the 514th Aircraft Maintenance Facility in 2021 for potential upgrades or repairs, there have been no official updates on their status since then. This silence leaves many wondering whether the aircraft are being repaired for future service or simply forgotten. The lack of transparency surrounding their fate only adds to the mystery.
An even more intriguing revelation comes from the knowledge that all MiG-29SMTs were constructed using parts and components from the early 1990s, which were originally designed for the older MiG-29 9.13 airframe.
The fuselages, wings, landing gear, and stabilizers were all repurposed from this earlier version, a fact that underscores the piecemeal nature of the SMT upgrade program. While it was sold as a major leap forward, in reality, it relied heavily on outdated parts that significantly limited its operational lifespan.
In hindsight, the MiG-29SMT modernization effort appears more like a stopgap measure than a long-term solution. While it might have extended the life of the MiG-29 platform for a few more years, it failed to deliver a truly next-generation fighter capable of competing with newer platforms.
All Russian MiG-29SMTs are made from parts and major components produced in the early nineties. Both the original twenty eight MiG-29SMT 9.19 and the later fourteen MiG-29SMT(R) 9.19R variants were originally built as 9.13 fuselage, wings, landing gears and stabilizers. pic.twitter.com/Fr18iAO6LZ
— Eastern Order of Battle (@EasternOrbat) December 8, 2024
As a result, the SMT quickly fell behind the curve, overshadowed by the Su-35 and Su-57, both of which now serve as the backbone of Russia’s air superiority strategy.
Export attempts, too, were met with little success. Nations like Algeria, which were initially interested in the MiG-29SMT, ultimately rejected the aircraft due to concerns over quality and the reliability of its systems. It’s clear that, despite the hype, the SMT simply wasn’t able to deliver on its promises in the way that Russia had hoped.
Recently, reports of Russian arms deliveries to North Korea have reignited interest in the MiG-29SMT fleet, particularly regarding whether any of these aging fighters might be among the aircraft being transferred. While there is no definitive evidence to confirm that the MiG-29SMT is part of this transfer, the ongoing secrecy surrounding Russian-North Korean military exchanges makes this a possibility worth exploring.
Three MiG-29SMT(R)/UB(R) have arrived to Swifts at Kubinka airfield. These are no longer the aircraft built for Algeria. Fourteen MiG-29SMT(R) 9-19R and two MiG-29UB(R) 9-53R were built between 2015 and 2016 from spare parts and main components left over from the RSK MiG plants pic.twitter.com/xQejaFz3YH
— Eastern Order of Battle (@EasternOrbat) December 6, 2024
The SMT’s multirole capabilities and modernized avionics would be a significant upgrade for Pyongyang’s air force, which still relies on MiG-29 9.12A models from the 1980s. In a region where air superiority remains a crucial factor, the transfer of MiG-29SMTs could dramatically alter the balance of power, providing North Korea with a platform capable of competing with its regional adversaries.
Further complicating the issue, a recent move by the Russian Air Force to transport three MiG-29SMT (R) and UB [R] variants to the Swifts squadron at Kubinka Airfield raises more questions. These aircraft, originally built for Algeria, were not part of the batch that was eventually sent to the North African country.
Instead, they appear to be part of a reserve stockpile built between 2015 and 2016, adding to the mystery surrounding Russia’s intentions for these jets. Are they being prepared for upgrades? Are they destined for operational deployment? Or could they be earmarked for export to allies like North Korea?
The 28/6 MiG-29SMT/UBs remaining from the failed Algerian deal were taken over by the Russian AF in 2010. The 14th Guards Regiment used them between 2010 and 2019 at Kursk airfield, and replaced them with Su-30SMs, so the original Russian SMTs flew for just under ten years!!! pic.twitter.com/BXKiNikX3o
— Eastern Order of Battle (@EasternOrbat) December 7, 2024
The state of the MiG-29SMT fleet at Kursk offers a striking glimpse into Russia’s broader airpower strategy. For a country that once prided itself on modernizing its aging fleet, it’s telling that so many MiG-29SMTs now sit idle, abandoned in the corners of a forgotten airbase.
This neglect begs the question: Has Russia simply run out of money to maintain these fighters, or has it decided to shift its focus to newer, more advanced platforms?
It’s hard to ignore the possibility that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has put a strain on Russia’s military resources, forcing the Air Force to prioritize the maintenance and deployment of newer systems while allowing older aircraft like the MiG-29SMT to fall into disrepair. The ongoing war effort, after all, has required massive amounts of funding and manpower, and older fighters may simply not make the cut.
But could there be another explanation? It’s entirely possible that the MiG-29SMTs at Kursk are not destined for the scrapyard just yet. Perhaps these aircraft are being kept in reserve for potential refurbishment or even eventual transfer to allies like North Korea. Russia has a long history of offloading older military hardware to countries in need, from tanks to combat aircraft, and it’s not hard to imagine a similar fate for these decaying MiGs.
Alternatively, the aircraft may be cannibalized for spare parts, with usable components stripped to keep other MiG-29s in service. This tactic, which Russia has used before, allows the military to maximize the utility of its existing fleet, even if it means sacrificing some jets in the process.
Regardless of the immediate future of the MiG-29SMT fleet, the situation at Kursk offers a sobering reminder of the limitations of stopgap modernization programs. The MiG-29SMT, once seen as a way to extend the life of the MiG-29 platform, now stands as a symbol of Russia’s struggle to balance modernization with the realities of maintaining an aging fleet.
With the focus of the Russian Air Force squarely on next-generation fighters like the Su-35 and Su-57, it’s unlikely that the MiG-29SMT will see much more active service.
The MiG-29SMT’s rapid decline at Kursk also highlights a broader issue within Russia’s defense strategy: how to modernize legacy systems without overextending resources. The MiG-29SMT, like so many other platforms in Russia’s arsenal, may ultimately be a casualty of strategic miscalculations and the rapidly changing demands of modern warfare.
For now, the MiG-29SMT rests on the fringes of the Russian Air Force, a relic of a bygone era and a stark reminder that, in the world of military aviation, even the most advanced upgrades can be left to rust if they’re not followed through with proper funding, maintenance, and forward-looking planning.
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