The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has deployed the four MiG-29SMT fighter aircraft to Hmeymim airbase, near Latakia, in western Syria.
According to a statement released by the Russian Ministry of Defense, the Russian Aerospace Forces will begin using the improved version of the MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter aircraft in Syria to conduct missions against terrorist groups inside the country.
It’s the first time the modernized version of the baseline Fulcrum jet is deployed to take part in the Syrian Air War.
The modernised aircraft is equipped with high-precision air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons to deliver high combat efficiency against aerial, ground, and sea-based targets. It incorporates enhanced cockpit and avionics, additional fuel tanks, upgraded engine, and increased weapons carriage capacity.
The length of the fighter jet is 17.32m, whilst the wing span is 11.36mm and the height is 4.73m. The normal and maximum take-off weights of the aircraft are 17,000kg and 22,000kg respectively.
The ferry range of the aircraft is 1,800km, without any external tanks. The range can be extended up to 2,400km with one drop tank, and up to 3,000km with three drop tanks.
The aircraft can reach a maximum range of more than 5,000km when fitted with three drop tanks and one single in-flight refuelling. Service ceiling is 17,500m, the maximum G-load is nine, and the maximum M-number is Mach 2.25.
