List of MiG-27 operators explained
This is a list of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 operators. As of late 2023, the MiG-27 has been fully retired.
Operators
See main article: MiG-27.
As of 2023, the MiG-27 has been fully retired from active military service.
Belarus
The Belarusian Air Force inherited a small number of MiG-27s of the 911th APIB, based at Lida, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.[1] These aircraft were scrapped at Baranovichi.
- 911th APIB at Lida, MiG-27K
India
The Indian Air Force operated the largest MiG-27 fleet outside the Soviet Union from 1988 to 2020.
- Eastern Air Command
- No.2 Squadron 'Winged Arrows', Kalaikunda
- No.9 Squadron 'Wolfpack', Hindan
- No.10 Squadron 'Winged Daggers', Jodhpur
- No.18 Squadron 'Flying Bullets', Hindon, moved to Kalaikunda in 1996
- No.20 Squadron 'Lightnings', Kalaikunda
- No.22 Squadron, 'Swifts', Hasimara
- No. 29 Squadron 'Black Scorpions', Jodhpur
- No. 51 Squadron 'Sword Arms', Jamnagar
- No. 222 Squadron 'Tigersharks', Hasimara
- Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, Bangalore
- Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment, Jamnagar
Kazakhstan
The Kazakhstan Air Force operated 12 MiG-27s until 2023, when they were retired, and put up for auction. In April 2024, it was reported that 81 aircraft were sold to the USA and were speculated to be transferred to Ukraine for use as spare parts sources and/or decoys.[2] [3] [4] In a later statement, the Kazakh state-owned weapons importer and exporter Kazspetexport denied such claims, saying that foreign companies were not allowed to bid.[5] [6]
- 129th APIB - Soviet Air Force regiment operating MiG-27s from Taldykorgan Air Base in Kazakh territory when the Soviet Union collapsed, MiG-27M
- 134th APIB - Another Soviet unit based at Zhangiztobe Air Base, MiG-27M
- 60th IAP
- 604th Aviation Base at Taldykorgan, formed out of the 60th, 129th and 134th regiments, MiG-27M
Russia
The Russian Air Force inherited most of the remaining MiG-27s after the collapse of the USSR. However, these were quickly retired in favour of the Su-24 and Su-25.
USSR
- 131st SAD, Milovice
- 236th APIB, Hradčany-Mimoň
- 36th Air Army, Budapest
- 1st GvAPIB, Kunmadaras
- 88th GvAPIB, Debrecen (both this unit and the 1st GvAPIB reported directly to HQ Southern Group in Budapest)
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) purchased five MiG-27s from Ukraine in 2000. These were used in the Sri Lankan Civil War.
Ukraine
ALthough the Soviet Air Force had not based any MiG-27 regiments in Ukraine, when the Soviet Union fell 49 MiG-27s of various models were undergoing maintenance in Ukraine.
Bibliography
- Gordon, Y. and Komissarov, D., 'Mikoyan MiG-23 & MiG-27', Crecy Publishing, Manchester, 2019
Notes and References
- Book: Gordon, E. . Mikoyan MiG-23 and MiG-27 . 2019 . Dmitriĭ Komissarov . 978-1-910809-31-0 . Manchester . 398 . 1108690733.
- Web site: 117 MiG-31, MiG-29 & Other Russian-Origin Fighter Jets Put Up On Auction By Kazakhstan; Here's Why. 28 October 2023. 29 April 2024.
- Web site: Kazakhstan sells over 100 military aircraft. 27 October 2023. 29 April 2024.
- Web site: US buys 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Russia's ally costing on average less than $20,000 each, report says. 29 April 2024. 29 April 2024.
- News: Did the US buy old aircraft from Kazakhstan? . 17 July 2024 . Censor.NET . 24 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240508033135/https://censor.net/en/news/3486827/did_the_us_buy_old_aircraft_from_kazakhstan . 8 May 2024.
- News: Spirlet . Thibault . Rommen . Rebecca . Claims that the US bought 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from a close Russian ally are likely false, experts say . 17 July 2024 . Business Insider . 30 April 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240430152115/https://www.businessinsider.com/claims-us-buying-soviet-era-aircraft-from-kazakhstan-likely-false-2024-4 . 30 April 2024.
