The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is now able to operate with upgraded MiG-29s that can shoot down, among others, enemy F-16 fighter jets entering Syrian territory, Russian site Avia.Pro stated on Sunday May 31. The report, however, did not specify which version of the upgraded MiG-29 was received by Syria, with sources saying it was a similar version of the Russian Air Force’s SM. 

“Experts pay attention to the fact that the rearmament of the Syrian Air Force may indicate that in the near future Syria may become one of the countries of the Middle East, where the most modern fighters are present, since the very MiG-29s, especially their modernized versions, significantly exceed the capabilities of F-16 fighters, which are the main combat vehicles for a number of countries,” the report said.

According to Avia.Pro, “Syria, of course, will not be able to oppose anything to the same Israel, but, obviously, for a number of other countries this may be the best edification not to meddle in the Arab Republic, especially since it is still unknown which missiles Russia could transfer to the Syrian Air Force along with these combat aircraft.”

Syria received the new batch of MiG-29 fighter jets last week after a ceremony at the Russian army’s permanent base, Khmeimim, in the Syrian Arab Republic.

According to the publication, the transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets was considered a possible transfer by the Russian Federation to the Libyan National Army (LNA) in Benghazi. However, it was later revealed that the delivery was made on behalf of the Syrian Arab Republic.

For the record, Syria has started upgrading about 20 MiG-29s in collaboration with Mikoyan in Russia in a version similar to that of the MiG-29SM. In addition, the Syrian Air Force recently purchased a number of Talisman electronic countermeasures from the Belarusian company Defence Initiatives.

The MiG-29 has two Klimov RD-33 engines and develops speeds of up to 2.25 Mach. It is already in service with the Russian Air Force, the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Egyptian Air Force and several other nations.

Pair of SyAAF MiG-29SM over the Syrian desert. Note the Talisman pod at each wing. pic.twitter.com/DnsHrgMlUS

— LuftwaffeAS (@LuftwaffeAS) March 5, 2020

It was designed and developed during the 1970s, with the primary goal of countering the threat of the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon of the United States and its allies. Over the past two decades, the role of the MiG-29 has been upgraded to a powerful multi-role fighter. It is equipped with a Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-30-1 30mm gun and can carry up to 4 tons of ammunition.

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