The Ukrainian Air Force will soon be strengthened with the MiG-29 fighters from Slovakia, as previously reported, this country has nine MiG-29AS and two MiG-29UBS in service, which are on the way to be transferred to Ukraine.
The transfer of the aircraft should take place in the nearest future, if it has not already happened without additional solemn events.
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The fact is that the Slovak Air Force has already officially announced that they have said goodbye to the MiG-29 and published a series of relevant messages.
"Farewell to our MiGs. The whole airport fell into silence... Everyone is waiting for the arrival of our MiG-29s... And this moment has come. Our beauties have arrived. Tears in the eyes of many..." - says the post under video showing four MiG-29AS flying over the airfield.
There was also a quote from one of the Slovak fighter pilots, who admitted: "The MiG-29 was, is and will forever remain in my heart as an exceptional machine and a 'friend' who gave me joy, who was reliable and who always returned me home."
Defense Express notes that Slovakia, having handed over the MiG-29, is left with no fighter jets in service at all, moreover, this country also handed over the S-300 air defense system to Ukraine.
Therefore, now the country's ski is protected by Poland and the Czech Republic until the F-16s, which were ordered by Bratislava, reach operational readiness. Defense Express reminds that in 2019 Slovakia ordered 14 F-16V Block 70/72 fighters from the USA, worth 1.8 billion dollars, together with all related services and armaments, the first jets are expected in 2023.
At the same time, strengthening the protection with the MiG-29AS is of great importance for Ukraine. The fact is that these aircraft will be the youngest fighters in the Ukrainian Air Force, which hasn’t received a single new fighter since 1991, and only modernized the existing ones.
And the Slovak planes were received from the russian federation for debts in 1994-1996. The aircraft arrived in the most modern version of the MiG-29S at the time, which had an increased combat load and fuel supply, as well as updated onboard equipment.
10 years later, in the mid-2000s, Slovakia carried out the modernization of the jets to the AS version. Now the radar sighting complex of the aircraft is updated and the RLPK-29M with the Kh019ME Topaz radar was installed, which has a greater viewing range and immunity to interference, as well as the ability to fire at two targets at the same time. Engines were also updated, they received a longer service life. The total service life of the jet was estimated until 2035.
Multifunctional displays, updated communication and navigation equipment according to the NATO standard were also installed in the cockpit. At the same time, despite rumors, the integration of Western weapons on these aircraft was not foreseen. Although this does not exclude such a possibility, both air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground missiles.
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