MiG-29

The MiG-29 was the only Russian fighter aircraft that had been taken over from the National People’s Army of the GDR by the German Air Force after the reunification of the two German states in 1990 and which was then flown in accordance with western standards.

The MiG-29 weapon system was unique in the flight operations of the German Air Force. The MiG-29 was the only Russian fighter aircraft that had been taken over from the National People’s Army of the GDR by the German Air Force after the reunification of the two German states in 1990 and which was then flown in accordance with western standards.

In January 1991, the German Air Force began with the official MiG-29 testing program. After the establishment of Test and Evaluation Wing MiG-29 at Preschen Airbase, the German Government decided to integrate the MiG-29 in the NATO Air Defense structure in July 1991.

In December 1994, the first MiG-29 were deployed to Laage. They were employed as QRA aircraft to ensure the related tasks within the framework of the airspace surveillance mission. In addition to the tasks performed under the air policing mission (QRA), a considerable number of allied air force crews had the chance to gain valuable experience in air combat training against the MiG-29 weapon system. This enhanced the reputation of the Bundeswehr among the allied partners.

Starting in September 2003, 22 of the original 24 MiG-29s were handed over to the Polish Air Force. On 4 August 2003, the last nine MiG-29 aircraft took off at Laage Airbase towards Bydgoscz inPoland.

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