FARS news agency reported that Iran overhauled and upgraded about 100 tactical MiG-29 fighter jets to maintain combat readiness.
The MiG-29 (Russian: МиГ-29), NATO reporting name: "Fulcrum" is a fourth-generation advanced jet fighter aircraft designed for an air combat superiority role.
The MiG-29 was developed to counter American fighters such as the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.
"For the first time in the country, we received the permission for overhauling two Mig-29 fighter jets in Tabriz (air base) and the five-stage overhauling procedures were carried out in two phases in Tabriz," Commander of Tabriz Air Base Mohammad Hellatabadi said in a ceremony in Iran's Northwestern city of Tabriz in February 2011.
The Mig-29 fighter jets of the Iranian Army conducted testsflight successfully in August of 2012 after being overhauled by local experts.
Iranian experts spent a total of 24 months to upgrade the MiG 29 fighter jet and mounted three types of modern electronic systems onto the aircraft in a bid to increase its technical and backup capabilities, according to the report, published today.
The planes were also upgraded by adding an in-flight refuelling nozzle making them compatible with the drogue refuellers operated by Iran."
The MiG 29 are powered by 2 Klimov RD-33 afterburning turbofan engines, that can achieve a maximum speed of Mach 2.25 or 1,490 mph.
Armament includes 1X30 mm GSh-30-1 cannon with 150 rounds and can carry 7, 720 pounds of weapons including six air to air missiles a mix of semi active radar homing (SARH) and AA-8 Aphid, AA-10 Alamo, AA-11 Archer, AA-12 Adder, FAB 500-M62, FAB-1000, TN 100, EMC Pods, S-24, AS-12, AS-14
Avionics include the Phazotron N019, N010 radar systems.
MiG 29s are very capable combat aircraft that would pose a serious threat to U.S. bombers, fighter jets and UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Below is combat footage of a Russian MiG shooting down a Georgian UAV.
Iran also reported good progress in the air industry and has succeeded in gaining the technical know-how for producing stealth aircraft and drones.
Note to Mods: Please get these fascists from Turkey off of Iranian threads. See below: