The Venezuelan government is believed to be in negotiations to acquire MiG-29Fulcrum fighters, despite repeated denials. Local reports suggest the purchase will include 40 single-seat MiG-29SMT fighters and 10 two-seat MiG-29UB conversion trainers, worth around $2 billion. The first 10 would be delivered 18 months from contract signing, with the procurement including the Vympel R-77 (RVV-AE/AA-12 Adder) radar-guided air-to-air missile and Zvezda Kh-31P air-to-surface missiles.
TheMiG-29 was demonstrated in Venezuela in December when a MiG-29M2 and MiG-29UB were deployed to Mariscal Sucre air base for two weeks. Venezuela's intent to acquire MiG-29s was highlighted last month by Colombia's ex-minister of finance Juan Manuel Santos who revealed that Venezuelan air force commander, Régulo Anselmi Espin, had written a letter indicating that country's interest in acquiring 50 MiG-29s. The potential acquisition sparked a diplomatic dispute between Colombia and Venezuela, particularly as Bogota has repeatedly complained about Venezuelan air force incursions into Colombian airspace.
Source: Flight International
