Event Brief
US bought 21 MiG-29 fighters from Russia via Nunn-Lugar
By The BriefBrief · Sources (1)
Filed: Sep 07, 2026 at 10:00 AM ET
Summary: In 1997, the United States purchased 21 Russian-made MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters for about $40,000,000 through the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program. The aircraft were flown to the buyer in Tehran, described as preventing Iran’s air force from turning them into nuclear weapons delivery systems.
WHO: United States (via the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program)
WHAT: Purchased 21 Russian-made MiG-29 Fulcrum fighters for about $40,000,000 and transferred them to Iran.
WHEN: Jan 01, 1997
WHERE: Iran
WHY: To prevent Iran’s air force from converting the fighters into nuclear weapons delivery systems.
ℹ️ This event is analyzed using pattern arcs, velocity indicators, and source analysis in our MI Console.
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