U.S. Buys 21 MiG-29s: The Strategic Reasons behind This Unusual Move

[rangerrebew]

U.S. Buys 21 MiG-29s: The Strategic Reasons behind This Unusual Move
 
In a turn of events, the United States has acquired 21 Russian-made MiG-29 fighter jets from Moldova.1 This unprecedented purchase has raised eyebrows in the international community, prompting questions about the strategic motivations behind the move.

The MiG-29, a fourth-generation Soviet-era warplane, has long been considered one of the most advanced fighter jets in the world.

But what drove the U.S. to make such an unusual purchase, and what implications does it have for global security?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/u-s-buys-21-mig-29s-the-strategic-reasons-behind-this-unusual-move/ss-AA1sYwh4?ocid=anaheim-ntp-feeds&pc=HCTS&cvid=6949280ce5c7436988d778ceb07df16f&ei=86

[Timber Rattler]

Just enough to equip nearly two full squadrons in the Ukrainian Air Force.

[PeteS in CA]

The USAF and USN have used Soviet-era aircraft and US aircraft with performance similar to Soviet aircraft in training - "adversary" squadrons - for decades. Chances are this is the USAF and/or USN updating the planes in their training programs.

[rangerrebew]

Maybe the the 21s are more cost effective and easier to maintain so they will be back engineered and called the NGF!

[PeteS in CA]

Why would the USAF and/or USN want to reverse-engineer a late 1970s-design Soviet fighter that was supposedly an answer to the US' F-15 and F-16? The US has probably had access to MiG-29s to see what is in it since the early 1990s. The value of these aircraft would be in equipping training squadrons with a near-modern aircraft that is still operational in various nations' air forces.

[Kamaji]

Why would the USAF and/or USN want to reverse-engineer a late 1970s-design Soviet fighter that was supposedly an answer to the US' F-15 and F-16? The US has probably had access to MiG-29s to see what is in it since the early 1990s. The value of these aircraft would be in equipping training squadrons with a near-modern aircraft that is still operational in various nations' air forces.

[Hoodat]

Just enough to equip nearly two full squadrons in the Ukrainian Air Force.

And just enough to deprive Moldova of two fighter squadrons at a time when they are being threatened by a Russian government that is actively interfering in their current elections.

[Smokin Joe]

And just enough to deprive Moldova of two fighter squadrons at a time when they are being threatened by a Russian government that is actively interfering in their current elections.

I have little doubt the long term plan is to equip Moldova with NATO compliant fighters.

[Timber Rattler]

And just enough to deprive Moldova of two fighter squadrons at a time when they are being threatened by a Russian government that is actively interfering in their current elections.

Or perhaps replace them with bright, shiny, new F-35s (which I'm obviously not a fan of, but they're better than MiG-29s).

[Smokin Joe]

Or perhaps replace them with bright, shiny, new F-35s (which I'm obviously not a fan of, but they're better than MiG-29s).

So the purchase price (and likely a bit more) will go right back to the MIC, even if they just get the latest block of F-16s (More planes for the buck Moldovan Leu.