The Mikoyan MiG-29 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-29) is a 4th generation jet fighter aircraft designed in the Soviet Union for an air superiority role. Developed in the 1970s by the Mikoyan design bureau, it entered service with the Soviet Air Force in 1983, and remains in use by the Russian Air Force as well as in many other nations. NATO’s reporting name for the MiG-29 is "Fulcrum", which was unofficially used by Soviet pilots in service. It was developed to counter new American fighters such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the F/A-18 Hornet.
The MiG-29 is a killer. This jet fighter from Russia is agile and potent, a challenge to America's best. If western fighters can be considered expensive limousines, the "Fulcrum," with its high maneuverability, resilient engines and excellent missiles, is like a hot race car, not easy to fly but formidable in battle. And now the MiG-29K has been developed to fly from aircraft carriers without the help of steam catapults.