Key Points – In 1997, the United States executed a unique post-Cold War intelligence operation by purchasing 21 MiG-29 fighter jets from the former Soviet republic of Moldova.
-The primary motivation was not to acquire the technology, which was already well-understood, but to prevent the aircraft from being sold to Iran.
-U.S. intelligence was particularly concerned because the package included 14 MiG-29C models, a later-built variant that was equipped with the necessary systems to deliver tactical nuclear weapons.
-The deal effectively blocked Iran from acquiring a potential nuclear delivery platform during a period of intense concern over its nuclear ambitions.
Why The US Bought 21 MiG-29s From Moldova to Stop Iran
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many of the former Soviet republics inherited weapons systems that they could no longer afford to operate or maintain. One of those republics was the small country of Moldova.
They were looking to sell their fleet of 34 MiG-29s, which they no longer needed or could operate or maintain. The surprising buyer was the United States, which purchased 21 of them at a considerable discount in 1997.
The United States paid $40 million, along with humanitarian assistance that included non-lethal defense equipment such as trucks.
Why was the Clinton administration so interested in purchasing the MiG-29? There were several reasons for this secret deal.
The MiG-29 Is Still An Outstanding 4th 4th-generation Fighter:
The Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau (MiG OKB) set about designing the MiG-29 in the 1970s. The Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 was designed to engage in dogfights against American-made F-16s and F-15s. However, it also possessed ground attack capabilities.
US reconnaissance satellites detected the new fighter in late 1977, and NATO designated it the “Fulcrum.” Early aircraft were deficient in several areas, such as the radars, which couldn’t distinguish low-flying aircraft from ground clutter.
The MiG-29’s builders remedied the issue. An improvement in the pilot’s helmet allowed the pilot to look at the target without turning his head to engage the missile lock.
Two Isotov RD-33 turbofans, each with a thrust of approximately 18,300 lbs, powered the MiG-29, equipped with thrust afterburners that produced a top speed of Mach 2.3.
The MiG-29 was armed with a 30 mm GSh-301 cannon; six air-to-air missiles (a mixture of medium-range, radar-guided AA-10 “Alamo-A;” or close-range, infrared-guided AA-11 “Archer” and/or close-range, infrared-guided AA-8 “Aphid” missiles); able to carry bombs and 57mm, 80mm, and 240mm rockets in the attack role.
In many ways, the MiG-29 was the equal of the F-16 and F-15 aircraft; in some ways, it was even better.
Even In 1997, Iran Was Looking To Go Nuclear
Moldova had informed the United States in late 1996 of Iranian inquiries regarding the availability of purchasing the aircraft.
The Iranians then journeyed to Moldova to conduct a pre-purchase inspection of the MiG-29s, especially the MiG-29C.
This caught the additional attention of high-ranking officials within the Clinton administration.
Washington was afraid that Moldova would sell the MiGs to Iran, especially the MiG-29C variant that could carry nuclear weapons. Even as far back as the 1980s, it was no secret that Iran was desperate to become a nuclear power. And Iran made it clear it was interested in the MiG-29C, Moldova told Washington.
Iran already had the older MiG-29A models. However, beyond being nuclear-capable, the Moldovan MiG-29Cs were superior in performance and other aspects to the earlier-model MiG-29A models.
The final agreement was for the sale of 21 of these Moldovan-owned fighters to Washington, including 14 MiG-29C-9.13 aircraft.
It was the MiG-29Cs, the later-built models of the aircraft, that the US wanted to keep out of Iranian hands. Even more intriguing, these MiG-29s weren’t export models, but were the frontline Soviet models in use by their Aerospace Forces.
The US believed that if Iran got their hands on nukes, it would destabilize the entire Middle East. The US purchased 21 MiGs and secretly shipped them to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base on C-17s. The US bought 14 MiG-29Cs as part of the package.
Under an agreement finalized in October 1997, the United States acquired 14 of the nuclear-capable MiG-29Cs, six MiG-29As, one MiG-29 B, 500 air-to-air missiles, and all the spare parts and diagnostic equipment present at the Moldovan air base where the aircraft were stationed.
Testing Began By The US and Israel
There, in secrecy from the rest of the world, the US pilots began to study, train on, and fly the MiG-29s. They learned that the aircraft was a very worthy adversary. The Israelis acquired some of their own MiG-29s and particularly appreciated several of its features.
“It’s an advanced aircraft, and in close maneuvering engagements, it is absolutely terrific,” Israeli Air Force LTG M. said. “It makes sharp turns, it’s quick, and in my opinion, as a platform, it does not fall short of our advanced fighter jets.”
US pilots quickly learned that in low-speed, close dogfights, the MiG had the agility that US aircraft lacked. Assessments further found that at ranges out to 40 miles apart, American aircraft enjoyed an advantage over the Fulcrum, but at ranges of 10 miles apart, that advantage was rapidly diminishing, and by the time engagements closed to five miles apart, the MiG-29’s superior maneuverability gave it an advantage.
Russia has produced more than 1,600 MiG-29s since 1983. They are still widely used worldwide by Russia, Ukraine, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Iran, North Korea, Mongolia, Myanmar, Peru, Poland, Serbia, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, and was previously used by the air forces of Kyrgyzstan, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Moldova, Malaysia, Iraq, Slovakia, and Yugoslavia.
As a fourth-generation fighter, it remains a very capable aircraft. However, keeping it out of Iran’s hands was worth even more to the US and the rest of the world.
About the Author
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications
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