Finding information on it is very difficult since it’s usually only short articles, websites or short mentions in books that need to be pieced together. Sometimes they also seem to misinterpret older articles.
The MiG-29 was chosen by Malaysia from a lineup that would’ve had the Mirage 2000-5, F-16 (unknown variant, likely A) and F/A-18 (that they also ordered 8 D models from). In 1994 they ordered 16 MiG-29SD (9.12SD) and 2 MiG-29UB (9.51) alongside their armament of R-73E and R-27R missiles. These were delivered in 1995.
The MiG-29SD was itself a downgraded export variant of the MiG-29S (9.12S), featuring downgraded N019ME version of the N019M radar, capability to mount three drop tanks (two underwing, one on the fuselage) as well as options for westernized avionics on customer demand.
The MiG-29N was the specific MiG-29UB variant for Malaysia. This specifically was old MiG-29 aircraft manufactured between 1988-1990, which were refurbished and upgraded to the desired standard. On delivery this included new avionics systems including Cossor IFF, Collins radio, ARN-138 TACAN, a new English voice-warning system, ILS, GPS, and an English cockpit using Imperial units.
9.12SD specific upgrades were also included in the initial order, but added later, after deliveries were already complete. The retractable refueling probe was developed for the Malaysian order, but then offered for further export customers as well. The probe is fully removable from the airframe.
Additionally there was mentions of upgrading the existing N019E radars to N019ME (also part of the MiG-29SD standard) during the same timeframe (1997-1999), including R-77 and Kh-27 integration, however this was not done due to cost cutting reasons.
A few years later however, in 1999 these radars were again ordered, with at least 11 being delivered in 2002-2003 and fitted to multiple of the aircraft. It is likely some airframes retained the older N019E radar, but this is purely speculation based on later upgrade proposals.
The MiG-29N mounting Sidewinders is something I haven’t seen any additional information about outside of Malaysian forum mentions of AIM-9 on the MiG-29N from 2008 (maybe Malaysians will have an easier time finding more here), so I mostly just have what can be seen directly on the image.
By this image it can be seen that the launch rail used is the same as on the Hawk 208, while the missile itself is a captive AIM-9L with a live seeker. Judging by the grey-green camo on the aircraft it was taken before 2005, likely in the early 2000s.
Sidewinder Image
In 2015-2017 multiple upgrades to the MiG-29N was proposed, one to MiG-29SM standard, and the MiG-29NM. The latter would have included increased internal fuel capacity, upgraded radar, integration of Su-30MKMs air to air and air to ground weapons including the R-77, updated avionics and a new, modernized cockpit. This upgrade never went past the proposal.
Sources (Incomplete, this is just everything I looked through now to write this)
Book Sources
- Mikoyan MiG-29 Fulcrum : multi-role fighter : Gordon, E : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
- ВОЙНА В ВОЗДУХЕ 128 - МиГ-29
- Nikolai Yakubovich. Mikoyan’s combat aircraft. There is only “Mig”, 2009
- Nikolay Yakubovich. Mig-29. The Invisible Fighter, 2011
- E. Gordon, A. Fomin, A. Mikheev. Mig-29, 1998
- Aviation and Time No. 05, 2001
- взлет 4.2015 [124] апрель - ИСТРЕБИТЕЛИ МиГ-29 В ЮГО-ВОСТОЧНОЙ АЗИИ (I ran out of images, so only the cover is here and content in another message)
Websites
Posts about the aircraft
