In this video, Lieutenant General retired Jürgen Höche describes his experiences with the MiG-29 and its advantages and disadvantages. In the 1990s, General Höche had the task of dismantling, rebuilding and rebuilding the former air force units of the NVA (GDR). From 1993 he was commander of the 5th Air Force Division of the German Armed Forces and retrained for the MiG-29 in 1993. He flew the MiG-29 until 2002. Then the Eurofighter was introduced as a more suitable aircraft for modern air combat in the Bundeswehr and the MiG-29 was handed over to Poland.

Regarding the current delivery of the MiG-29 by Poland to the Ukraine, retired Lieutenant General Höche adds the following - quote:

"My remarks in this article refer to the experiences that we in the Air Force had between 1991 and 2003 with this MiG 29 A weapon system.

The unspeakable war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine has now also led to the intended or already undertaken delivery of MiG-29s from NATO countries to Ukraine as part of the arms deliveries to support Ukraine's defense capability. Despite some disadvantages of the MiG-29 compared to more technologically advanced systems noted in the article, this measure contributes adequately to the defense against Russian aggression. About 40% of the fighter planes of the Ukrainian Air Force consist of a MiG-29 fleet (number about 40-45). The Ukrainian Air Force is therefore immediately able to operate with this weapon system and also to perform maintenance tasks. The pilots and the management are also aware of the corresponding possible uses as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the system. Older aircraft can also contribute to overcoming bottlenecks in the supply of spare parts by "slaughtering". Long periods of training for pilots and maintenance personnel, as would be necessary when supplying "western" systems, are no longer necessary. I therefore consider the delivery of MiG 29s to Ukraine to be a sensible and necessary step in the defense of Ukraine.

Juergen Hoche"