The MiG-29 fleet is running out of airframe life, as a result after the recent accident, most of the fleet still remains grounded, with a special technical commission evaluating the remaining airplanes on a case by case basis.
http://kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?DocsID=1113994
Around 200 airplanes are still grounded, which makes for about 1/3 of the VVS jet fighters. While the 34 Algerian SMTs and UBs are due to come in this year, they can hardly make up for the dent this puts in the VVS numbers.
http://kommersant.ru/doc.aspx?DocsID=1113994
Around 200 airplanes are still grounded, which makes for about 1/3 of the VVS jet fighters. While the 34 Algerian SMTs and UBs are due to come in this year, they can hardly make up for the dent this puts in the VVS numbers.