Egypt Receives First Batch Of MiG-29M2 Fighters From Russia

Egypt has received its first batch of Russian modernized MiG-29M2 fighter jets.

 “We have already received some of the aircraft, but not all. The execution of the contract continues,” Deputy Minister of Defense of Egypt Mohammad Al-Keshky was quoted as saying by Interfax Thursday.

The importing contract was between both countries during the visit of Russian president Vladimir Putin to Egypt in February 2014.

Russia will provide Egypt with 50 Mikoyan MiG-29 fighter jets no later than 2020, following the end of manufacturing the jets.

In August 2016, Russia delivered a Molniya RKA-32 Corvette to Egypt, which was received as a present from Russia.

The MiG-29M/M2 is a major development of the legacy MiG-29, boasting design changes to the airframe, improved turbofans in the RD-33MK that is similar in weight to the RD-33, but benefits from a higher thrust rating and full-authority digital engine control.

The fighter jet development also includes changes to Fly-by-wire flight control system, updated avionics and Zhuk-ME pulse-Doppler radar.

The MiG-29K/KUB is the naval variant of the MiG-29M/M2.