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List of MiG-27 operators

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 operators. As of late 2023, the MiG-27 has been fully retired.

MiG-27 of the Soviet Air Force

Operators

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As of 2023, the MiG-27 has been fully retired from active military service.

Belarus

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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

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The Indian Air Force operated the largest MiG-27 fleet outside the Soviet Union from 1988 to 2020.

Indian MiG-27 taking off
MiG-27 from No. 18 Squadron IAF

Kazakhstan

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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

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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.

A Russian Air Force machine in Lärz, Germany

USSR

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MiG-27 (12142275643)

Central Group of Forces (Czechoslovakia)

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  • 131st SAD, Milovice
    • 236th APIB, Hradčany-Mimoň

Sri Lanka

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Sri Lankan Air Force MiG-27

The Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) purchased five MiG-27s from Ukraine in 2000. These were used in the Sri Lankan Civil War.

Ukraine

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Ukrainian MiG-27

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.

References

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  1. ^ Gordon, E. (2019). Mikoyan MiG-23 and MiG-27. Dmitriĭ Komissarov. Manchester. p. 398. ISBN 978-1-910809-31-0. OCLC 1108690733.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ "117 MiG-31, MiG-29 & Other Russian-Origin Fighter Jets Put Up On Auction By Kazakhstan; Here's Why". 28 October 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Kazakhstan sells over 100 military aircraft". 27 October 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  4. ^ "US buys 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Russia's ally costing on average less than $20,000 each, report says". 29 April 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Did the US buy old aircraft from Kazakhstan?". Censor.NET. 24 April 2024. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  6. ^ Spirlet, Thibault; Rommen, Rebecca (30 April 2024). "Claims that the US bought 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from a close Russian ally are likely false, experts say". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.

Bibliography

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  • Gordon, Y. and Komissarov, D., 'Mikoyan MiG-23 & MiG-27', Crecy Publishing, Manchester, 2019 ISBN 978-1-910809-31-0