\\n
\\nThe primary shortcomings of the MiG-29 have long been it\'s lacking long range combat capabilities and it\'s small combat radius. The SMT variant seeks to amend both of these shortcomings. It incorporates far larger fuel tanks on its back, substantially increasing its range, while also being fitted with aerial refueling capabilities which the original MiG-29 lacked. While the MiG-29\'s range confined it to a defensive role, making it largely unsuitable for operations across Syria\'s vast deserts against terror groups, the SMT has largely overcome this constraint. Improved radar capabilities also make it a far more capable combat platform for beyond visual range engagements. The SMT also builds on the original strengths of the MiG-29, namely it\'s extremely high maneuverability and short range combat capabilities which, according to German MiG-29 operators which also operated Western fighters, surpass even advanced platforms such as the F-15 at short range.
\\n
\\nSyria\'s Air Force capabilities have been devastated by seven years of war, and nevertheless rely mostly on dated but upgraded second and third generation platforms. The MiG-21, a platform dating back to the 1950s but since heavily enhanced, has been the workhorse of the Syrian Air Force during the war due to its low maintenance requirements and reliability. The relatively low cost MiG-29SMT could be a suitable replacement to begin rebuilding the Syrian Air Force after the war, though weather Syria will induct more expensive high performance platforms such as the Su-27 in future or weather it will continue to rely heavily on air defense platforms to protect its airspace remains to be seen. Based on it\'s performance in Syria however, the MiG-29 SMT is likely to be inducted in greater numbers in the Russian Air Force and is likely to be delivered to the Syrian Air Force as well.\",\"article_featured\":true,\"article_e_choice\":false,\"article_from_contributors\":false,\"article_cover\":\"https:\\/\\/militarywatchmagazine.com\\/m\\/articles\\/2017\\/12\\/26\\/covers\\/cover_5a45e6f288a6d3_53412772.jpg\",\"article_cover_tag\":\"MiG-29SMT\",\"article_posted\":true,\"article_redirect\":null,\"article_cover_credit\":\"\",\"categories\":[{\"id\":4,\"category_name\":\"Middle East\",\"category_identifier\":\"middle_east\",\"category_description\":\"Coverage of military affairs in Middle Eastern Arab states, as well as Israel, Turkey and Iran.\",\"i_order\":2,\"section\":1},{\"id\":2,\"category_name\":\"Aircraft and Anti-Aircraft\",\"category_identifier\":\"aircraft_and_anti_aircraft\",\"category_description\":\"Coverage of military affairs related to aerial warfare technologies.\",\"i_order\":6,\"section\":2}],\"articles_images\":[{\"id\":402,\"article\":\"70124\",\"image\":{\"id\":504,\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/militarywatchmagazine.com\\/m\\/articles\\/2017\\/12\\/26\\/images\\/image_5a47c8c372ca83_13328649.jpg\",\"credit\":\"\"},\"tag\":\"MiG-29 Demonstrates its Manoeuvrability\"},{\"id\":403,\"article\":\"70124\",\"image\":{\"id\":505,\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/militarywatchmagazine.com\\/m\\/articles\\/2017\\/12\\/26\\/images\\/image_5a47c8c372dbe2_66277431.jpg\",\"credit\":\"\"},\"tag\":\"MiG-29SMT\"},{\"id\":404,\"article\":\"70124\",\"image\":{\"id\":506,\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/militarywatchmagazine.com\\/m\\/articles\\/2017\\/12\\/26\\/images\\/image_5a47c8c372ed50_71188531.jpg\",\"credit\":\"\"},\"tag\":\"Su-34 Strike Fighter\"},{\"id\":405,\"article\":\"70124\",\"image\":{\"id\":507,\"link\":\"https:\\/\\/militarywatchmagazine.com\\/m\\/articles\\/2017\\/12\\/26\\/images\\/image_5a47c8c3730d62_96995775.jpg\",\"credit\":\"\"},\"tag\":\"MiG-29SMT\"}],\"tags\":[{\"id\":654,\"tag\":\"Sergei Korotkov\"},{\"id\":30,\"tag\":\"MiG-29\"},{\"id\":655,\"tag\":\"MiG-29SMT\"},{\"id\":44,\"tag\":\"Russian Military\"},{\"id\":175,\"tag\":\"Syrian Conflict\"},{\"id\":146,\"tag\":\"Al Qaeda\"},{\"id\":46,\"tag\":\"ISIS\"},{\"id\":152,\"tag\":\"Su-34\"},{\"id\":39,\"tag\":\"Russian Air Force\"},{\"id\":23,\"tag\":\"Su-27\"},{\"id\":432,\"tag\":\"MiG-35\"},{\"id\":70,\"tag\":\"Syrian Air Force\"},{\"id\":73,\"tag\":\"Syrian Military\"},{\"id\":656,\"tag\":\"Russian-Syrian Relations\"},{\"id\":153,\"tag\":\"Russian Intervention in Syria\"}]}');