MOSCOW, September 18 (RIA Novosti) - Criminal...
six two-seat MiG-29UB combat trainers to Algeria in March 2006 as part of an $8 billion military cooperation agreement.However, after receiving 15 MiG fighters, Algeria in May 2007 refused further deliveries. Then in October 2007 it froze all payments stipulated in contracts with Russia, requiring that Moscow first take back the 15 MiG-29s due to their "inferior quality."
The aircraft were eventually returned to Russia in April, and after thorough testing were approved for the service with the Russian Air Force.
Meanwhile, following a MiG-29 crash in East Siberia last December, the Defense Ministry admitted for the first time last week that Russia"s MiG-29 fleet of 281 aircraft was mostly outdated and not capable of performing combat duties.
Military experts believe the aircraft, which was developed in the 1970s and supplied to the Air Force between 1983 and 1993, has become obsolete and needs to be removed from active service.