--- title: "MiG-29KR Crashes Off Syria During Maiden Cruise Aboard Russian Carrier" description: "Russia’s newest naval fighter has a bad start to combat operations in the Eastern Mediterranean." date: "2016-11-14" modified: "2016-11-14" authors: - name: "Tyler Rogoway" job_title: "Editor-in-Chief" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/tyler-rogoway" url: "https://www.twz.com/6009/mig-29kr-crashes-off-syria-during-maiden-cruise-aboard-russian-carrier" categories: - "Admiral Kuznetsov" - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "Carriers" - "Fighters" - "Fulcrums" - "Kuznetsov Class (and variants)" - "Middle East" - "MiG-29" - "Naval Aviation" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "Russian Navy" - "Sea" - "Syria" tags: - "Admiral Kuznetsov" - "Fulcrums" - "Mediterranean" - "MIG-29KR" - "Mishaps" - "russia" - "Syria" --- # MiG-29KR Crashes Off Syria During Maiden Cruise Aboard Russian Carrier ![]() *www.twz.com* Details remain sketchy, but the Russian Ministry of Defense has confirmed that [one of four MiG-29KR naval strike fighters]() has crashed off Syria while operating near its floating base, [the carrier *Admiral Kuznetsov*](). The fighter’s pilot supposedly ejected safely and was recovered by one of the flotilla’s [*Kamov* helicopters](). The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident, [stating](): “An aviation accident with carrier-based fighter MIG-29K occurred during exercise flights as a result of a technical fault during the approach landing a few kilometers from the *Admiral Kuznetsov* aircraft-carrying cruiser…the Russian aircraft carrier group continues its activity in the Mediterranean Sea as planned. The flights of sea-based aviation continue." The carrier’s aircraft were thought to have [just began flight operations over Syria]() over the weekend, though it is unclear to what degree this is continuing after the incident. The MiG-29KR is an upgraded, navalized version of the MiG-29 Fulcrum. The subtype has been in development in one form or another since the late 1980s ([read all about the Mig-29K here]()). The Indian Navy was the first to field a version of the design, operating it aboard the modified [*Kiev* class]() aircraft-carrying missile cruiser [*INS* *Vikramaditya*](), their only fixed-wing aircraft carrier. Like the planes, the ship was also supplied by the Russians over a drawn-out, overbudget ordeal. 45 MiG-29Ks were ordered by the Indian Navy to equip the ship’s air wing and training squadron; so far, the type’s Indian Navy service [has had its fair share of issues. ]() ![sacac.jpg]() *An Indian Navy MiG-29K lands aboard *INS Vikramaditya.*, *Indian Navy** Russia continued to develop the jet following the Indian Navy deal, integrating all Russian-made systems and avionics into new version of it calls the MiG-29KR. An order for 20 of these aircraft was placed by the Russian Navy with the hopes that they would eventually replace [the larger, aging navalized Su-33 Flanker](), an aircraft that has been the backbone of the *Kuznetsov’s* air wing for decades. ![download\_0.jpeg]() *A Russian MiG-29KR aboard the *Admiral Kuznetsov.* , *youtube screencap** Although Russia has said that flight operations continue following the crash, with one MiG-29KR lost due to as-yet-undisclosed or unknown reasons, it puts the rest of the small MiG-29KR fleet’s availability for combat operations in doubt. It is also an embarrassing incident for the *Kuznetsov*, a [historically unreliable](), [smoke-billowing ship]() which [some think is a bigger threat to itself ]()than to its enemies and for the MiG-29KR prorgram, which is one of Russia's most modern. Russia's training program for its limited carrier flight operations has also long been a concern. With only one aircraft carrier (which sometimes goes for years without sailing) and a small handful of fighters capable of operating from the ship, the Russian Navy's ability to retain a critical mass of experienced pilots qualified to operate in the dangerous shipboard enviroment is questionable. *Kuznetsov* is part of a [large Russian surface action group]() that is operating in the eastern Mediterranean Sea [under heavy NATO surveillance.]() It is thought that the armada will take part in a [large combined arms offensive in Aleppo]() during its deployment to the region. ![dc\_1.jpg]() **Admiral Kuznetsov* trailing its trademark smoke as it plows the English Channel. , *AP** We will keep this post updated throughout the day with any new details as they become available. *Contact the author Tyler@thedrive.com* ## Author Tyler’s passion is the study of military technology, strategy, as well as foreign policy, and he has fostered a dominant voice on those topics in the defense and national security space. Tyler was the creator of the hugely popular defense site *Foxtrot Alpha* before developing *TWZ*, which he continues to lead as the Editor-In-Chief to this day. ### Author social links [Twitter]()