This has been asked countless times on this forum and many content-creators have asked for this same thing. Yet every time the forum topics are ignored and support tickets are closed as “Not a bug” or “Not enough issue”.
Let me remind you of the initial reasoning not to give it the R-73’s:
First — technical one: to provide the correct operation of the missile in all game modes it is necessary to improve code (implementation of the angle of attack sensor in the missile) without which the missile will behave unstably in some situations, such as launching at low speeds with a large target sighting angle or at high launch overloads. We expected to solve this issue by missile configuration but now we realized that we need additional coding.
Second — balance. The combination of the R-73 and the HMS (helmet mounted sight) gives the aircraft unique capabilities in close combat which in our opinion can make the aircraft too effective - with all the ensuing consequences (repair cost, increased BR). At the same time the other armament - R-27R missile and especially R-27T + R-60M - are already quite a formidable force in combination with excellent aircraft characteristics.
We will analyze performance statistics and possibly add the R-73 in the future if necessary or if more aircraft with similar combinations of flight characteristics and weapons appear in the game. In the meantime we will fine-tune the missile’s functionality to be completely correct.
First issue was dealt with right after release back in late 2022.
Second? It was probably true on release when MiG-29 was one of the only two real Gen4 fighter jets seal clubbing Gen3 with its’ excellent aircraft characteristics
Look at these stats as of February 2026:
Plane is struggling if we exclude premium slop and extreme over/under performing outliers.
“But if you give it R-73 it’s BR would have to be raised to 13.0”
This is what a proper 13.0 looks like:
- Better speed at high alt.
- Better speed retention.
- x3 the amount of the R-27ER.
- same amount of R-73 together with ^
Just look at its’ peer that used to share the 12.7 BR after armament and BR adjustment:
That’s a very healthy boy, perfect in every way.
All the while F-15A with IRCCM missiles and infinitely better FM gets lowered to 12.7 with this result:
At this point this is just a misguided russian bias that misfires: “But muh russian jet can’t lose therefore I’d rather give it the best missile in the game instead of a useless R-73”.
It’s already losing, falling behind the meta month after month:
Guys, this might be the final push we can muster with the separation of MiG-29 into 9-12 and 9-13 variants.
If 9-12 goes live with 27ER with R-60M’s at 12.7 it will either keep falling behind or Gaijin, in a brillinat fit of russian bias, will lower it’s BR to 12.3 to compress the Gen3 with R-27ER tyranny.
Give the 9-12 variant R-27R + R-73 at 12.7
Give the 9-13 variant R-27ER + R-73 at 13.0 with the assumption of a future decompression
- R-27R + R-73
- R-27ER + R-60M
