The MiG-29 is a twin-engine supersonic fourth generation air superiority jet fighter developed in the Soviet Union in the 1970’s. The aircraft entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983 and still is in use with them as well as equipping over twenty four other countries over the years. The NATO designation for the MiG-29 is Fulcrum and it was designed to counter the American F-16 and F-18. The MiG-29 was first seen in the West in 1986. The MiG-29 (9-13) is designated the Fulcrum C.
In 1991 the Russian Aerobatic Team the Strizhi (Swifts), performed their first demonstration when they visited Sweden’s Uppsala airbase. MiG-29 31 Blue c/n 29607729380 was produced in 1990 and became part of the team. The Strizhi members are made up of pilots from the 237th Guards Proskurov Aircraft Demonstration Centre based in Kubinka Air Base. When not flying with the demo team, these pilots are fighter training instructors. In 2019 the Strizhi flew at the Aviamiks Air Show, MAKS-2019 Moscow International Airshow and normally about 50 per year.