SU-27 vs MiG-29: Key Differences That Decide Air Superiority
The Sukhoi Su-27 and Mikoyan MiG-29 are twin-engine Soviet fighters: the Su-27 is a long-range air-superiority heavyweight, while the MiG-29 is a shorter-range lightweight multi-role fighter.
People confuse them because both flew in the 1980s, share a “-29/-27” look, and star in video games and news footage shot from similar angles, making size and role differences easy to miss.
Key Differences
Su-27: 1,500 km combat radius, 12 hardpoints, heavier radar, built for sweeping vast airspace. MiG-29: 700 km radius, 6–7 hardpoints, smaller radar, built for front-line interception and dogfighting agility.
Which One Should You Choose?
Need wide-area air dominance with endurance? Pick Su-27. Need lower cost, quick reaction over a small theater? Pick MiG-29. Budget and mission radius decide; both still serve in upgraded forms worldwide.
Which is faster?
Su-27 tops Mach 2.35; MiG-29 peaks at Mach 2.25—close, but Su-27 holds the edge.
Still in production?
MiG-29 variants roll off lines in Russia and India; Su-27 evolves into Su-30/35, with China building licensed J-11s.