The Best MiG-29 Ever Built: Algeria Receives New MiG-29M Fighters - Reports

Algerian has reportedly begun to receive its first Russian MiG-29M fighters, under an unexpected arms deal which is expected to increase the size of the country’s combat fleet. The Algerian Air Force previously deployed MiG-29C and MiG-29SMT fighters which represented the lightest and cheapest of its four classes of combat jets - alongside the Su-24M strike fighter, the MiG-25 heavy interceptor and the Su-30MKA heavyweight multirole jet. Its Su-30 fighters are currently considered the most capable on the African continent, and the Algerian Air Force has ranked first in Africa for several years. While widely reported by local news outlets, the delivery of new MiGs has not been officially confirmed, but if true then the MiG-29M will represent the most modern fighter in Algerian service. The purchase comes at a time when Algeria has shown a strong interest in acquiring Su-57 heavyweight next generation fighters, with several indications that an order has already been placed, and following reports that the country is considering acquiring MiG-35 medium weight jets which are a next generation successor to the MiG-29. While Russia has exported the MiG-29 to multiple countries in recent years, including India, Egypt, Syria and Libya, only Egypt has acquired the MiG-29M variant after placing an order for 50 jets. 

Considering that the MiG-35 is currently available for export, after joining the Russian Air Force in 2019, Algeria’s interest in the less advanced MiG-29M which is from the same weight range and designed for identical roles has been surprising. The MiG-35 boasts a range of superior features ranging from more powerful engines with thrust vectoring, access to newer missile types such as the R-37M and Kh-58, integration of a new AESA radar and superior electronic warfare systems, and even limited applications of artificial intelligence. It is possible that Algeria is hesitant regarding a MiG-35 purchase because it is still a very new aircraft, and performance is likely to be improved as issues are ironed out in its first years in Russian service. The MiG-29M could thus provide a more immediate solution, and a cheaper one, should Algeria be seeking to increase the number of operational fighter squadrons quickly. While MiG-29s marketed to Syria, Libya and India come from unassembled kits in storage in Russia, the MiG-29M jets purchased by Egypt and Algeria use newly built airframes which benefit from more recent advances in composite material technologies. The MiG-29M is the cheapest fighter in production in Russia today, and while formidable its international appeal is likely to be undercut once the MiG-35 program gains further momentum and potentially sees some combat testing in Russian service.