Russia's Swifts: 25 Years of Unwavering Aerobatic Excellence

On May 6, 2016, the Russian aerobatic team Strizhi (Swifts), one of the most renowned flight stunt groups in the world, celebrates its 25th anniversary.

After training in the 1980s, the team debuted on May 6, 1991 in the Soviet Union and in October performed in Sweden.

The aerobatics team flies six 4^th-generation MiG-29 Fulcrum multirole fighter jets and performs the most complicated stunts, demonstrating an excellent level of piloting mastery.

MiG-29 fighter planes of the Swifts aerobatic team

© Sputnik / Pavel Lisitsyn

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The team has been a regular participant at the MAKS Air Show since 1993.

Sometimes the Swifts team up with the Russian Knights, forming the Kubinka Diamond group of four MiG-29s and five Su-27s. This formation has been entered into the Guinness Book of Records.

As the times are changing, both teams will change their tried-and-true jets for modern aircraft. So the Swifts will probably get the MiG-35 fighters while the Russian Knights are expected to pilot Su-35 planes starting from 2017.