Warplanes: March 25, 2001

Archives

The Russian air force is replacing the MiG-29 with the Su-27 as its primary combat aircraft. Thus ends half a century of MiG aircraft being the principal warplanes for Russia. Starting with the MiG-15 in the late 1940s, through the MiG-21 in the 1960s, the MiG-23 in the 1970s and 80s and the MiG-29 for the rest of the century, MiG aircraft were always the most numerous. The MiG-21 was the most plentiful jet warplane ever, with over 10,000 built. But the MiG organization did not survive the end of communism as well as some of it’s rivals. Thus as Russia enters the 21st century, the Sukhoi organization is getting the most money from the government, and foreign customers, for new and refurbished aircraft.

Video of Russain SU-27 (in Russian)

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close