What You Need to Know: The U.S. purchased 21 MiG-29 fighter jets from Moldova in the late 1990s to prevent these advanced Soviet-era planes from falling into Iranian hands. Originally designed to rival America’s F-15 and F-16 during the Cold War, the MiG-29 "Fulcrum" featured impressive innovations, including lightweight aluminum-titanium alloys and high-angle-of-attack capabilities.

-These jets also included helmet-mounted cueing systems that initially surpassed U.S. technology.

-By acquiring the planes, the U.S. thwarted Iran’s efforts to reverse-engineer the platform, securing valuable intelligence on Soviet technology. Israel also accessed the MiG-29 for training and analysis, finding it challenging in combat but advantageous in specific functions.

When the U.S. first got eyes on the USSR’s MiG-29 platform during the Cold War, it was clear Soviet engineers were developing a counterpart to American fourth-generation platforms. Satellite imagery depicted a sleek and advanced looking fighter jet, concerning U.S. officials. In fact, the MiG-29 was just as capable, if not more so in certain areas, as the American-made F-15 Eagle and........

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