How many MiG-29s does Peru have?

The Peruvian Air Force acquired its MiG-29s following the 1995 Cenepa conflict with Ecuador, which exposed the need for a modern fighter. In 1996 it bought 18 used aircraft from Belarus (16 single-seaters and 2 MiG-29UB two-seaters), in a deal surrounded by controversy over cost overruns and commissions later investigated by the courts. In 1998 it completed the fleet with three new MiG-29SE aircraft acquired directly from Russia, bringing the total to 21 and making Peru the only operator of the model in South America.

In 2008 Lima signed with RAC MiG to upgrade 8 aircraft to the MiG-29SMP standard, with an improved radar, glass cockpit, refueling probe and capability for R-77 missiles and guided weapons; the rest remained in their original configuration. At least two aircraft have been lost in accidents and others spent long periods grounded due to a lack of spare parts and RD-33 engines, so real availability has been well below the nominal inventory. The MiG-29s share air defense duties with an even smaller fleet of Mirage 2000P jets and the Su-25 attack aircraft.

In 2025 the Peruvian government selected the Saab Gripen E/F as its new fighter after also evaluating the F-16 Block 70 and the Rafale, with a 24-aircraft program whose deliveries will extend through the second half of the decade. Until then, the MiG-29 SMPs will remain the FAP's spearhead from Air Group No. 6 in Chiclayo, although their maintenance depends on a Russian supply chain constrained by international sanctions, which explains why the number of aircraft actually fit to fly is still lower than the number of airframes on inventory.