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MiG-29N Fulcrum
The Malaysian Air Force ordered 18 MiG-29S variants in 1996 which includes 16 single fighters and 2 two-seat trainers. All of have delivered since then and are now being deployed in Kuantan AFB ( Air Force Base ) under two squadrons ( No. 17 and No. 19 ). The first modern fighters of the RMAF, these Fulcrums dramatically increases the combat capabilities of the RMAF to a level at least comparable to neighbouring countries who have earlier been operating the US-made F-16 Falcon.
These MiG-29SE aircraft ( local designation MiG-29N ) have been slightly modified to include Western avionics such as IFF systems, navigation systems and cockpit placards so facilitate commonality with other RMAF aircraft. Equipped only with AA-10 and AA-11 missles when first delivered, the RMAF Fulcrums has since been upgraded to be capable of carrying the R-77 Adder AMRAAM. Apart from air-to-air combat, these Fulcrums have the capability to carry air-to-ground munitions as well such as bombs and missles, although it is not clear on whether the Malaysian government has already procured these weapons. Of the 18 aircraft ordered, a single example (single-seater) was lost during a training sortie.
As of now, these aircraft have being upgraded to the MiG-29SM standard which includes additional 1000kg payload, aerial refuelling probe, advanced missile capability and enhanced radar performance. Furthermore, the RMAF Fulcrums have also acquired the capability to carry and employ KAB-500KR TV-guided bombs as well as KAB-500L laser-guided bombs. The KH-27T air-to-surface missile has also been included into the inventory of the RMAF Fulcrums.This greatly increases the value of these fighters since they can now perform an array of missions apart from interception such as precision ground attack, CAS (combat air support), anti-shipping as well as interdiction. There are also unconfirmed reports that the Fulcrums might have been fitted with an advanced South African ECM (electronic countermeasures) suite for self-protection. An additional order for 18 Fulcrums ( 2 more squadrons ) was planned under the Eight Malaysia Plan and wasl almost certainly of the MiG-29SMT standard. However, these plans might not be realized since the RMAF is currently seeking more advanced fighters under the MRCA program.
The Fulcrum has a manueverability slightly exceeding that of the F-16 Falcon and is capable of high AOAs ( Angle-of-Attack ). With the AA-11 missles, it is extremely deadly in close-in combat. While it fairs slightly poorer in BVR situations, this deficiency is being rectified with the introduction of the AA-12 Adder missle and more advanced radars.

Designation : MiG-29N Fulcrum
Producer : Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bereau
Role : High Performance Multirole Fighter
Crew : 1
Engines : 2 Tumansky R-33D turbofans
Top Speed : Mach 2.3
Max Altitude : 60,000 ft
Combat Radius: 620 nautical miles
Radar : Phazotron N-109ZM airborne radar
Weapons : 1 30mm built-in gun, 3000kg of munitions on 7 external hardpoints to include R-73 ( NATO AA-11 Archer ) short range IR AAMs, R-27 ( NATO AA-10 Alamo ) medium range semi-active radar-guided AAMs, R-77 ( NATO AA-12 Adder ) medium/long range active radar guided AAMs, R-60 ( NATO AA-8 Aphid ) short range IR AAMs, rocket pods, free-fall bombs, air-to-ground missles and external fuel tanks.

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