Combat Jets of The East German Air Force - 1970 To 1987 - The Modernization

24/11/2017 Combat Jets of the East German Air Force: 1970 to 1987 The Modernization Aces Flying High
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German Air Force: 1970 to

1987 The Modernization
The East German Air Force

(Luftstreitkrfte der Nationalen
Volksarmee LSK) operated as
a well trained and well equipped
division of the National
Peoples Army (NPA or
Nationalen Volksarmee NVA)
from 1956 through to their nal
year of operation in 1990 when (h ps://acesyinghi
Germany was reunied gh.les.wordpress.c
(October 1990). Given the om/2015/09/emblem
signicance of their front line _of_aircraft_of_nva
position within the Warsaw _east_germany-
Pact nations against NATO, the svg.png)
LSK received advanced versions East German Air
of numerous modern Soviet era Force Emblem (LSK)
combat aircraft equipped with
similar technology and weapons
systems to those operated by the Soviets themselves (as
opposed to the slightly downgraded export versions sold
to most nations).
The 1950s and 1960s saw the LSK advance into the
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The 1950s and 1960s saw the LSK advance into the
jet age (h p://wp.me/p2dlSm-2Hb). Throughout the
1970s and 1980s East Germany continued to upgrade
the LSK with current Soviet combat aircraft. At the
height of the Cold War the LSK was as ready as any
Warsaw Pact nation to meet the challenges ahead.
During this
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.
com/2015/09/gdr.gif)
The former East and West Germany
modernization period East German Air Force aircraft

always looked quite resplendent to me, with their earthy
camouage colour schemes, bright red numbers and
high-viz roundels. The roundel with that stunning black,
red and yellow emblem emblazoned with the communist
hammer and compass always really stood out (the
hammer represents the workers and the compass the
intelligentsia or intellectuals the thinkers, skilled
professionals, the artists, scientists etc.).
1970s
More MiG-21 ghters The mainstay of the LSK
Throughout the 1960s the Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21

Fishbed was the mainstay ghter of the LSK and newer,
upgraded variants continued to be delivered into the
early 1970s. Between 1972 and 1974 they received 50
MiG-21M/MF Fishbed J (export version of the MiG-
21S/SM), which were followed in 1975/76 by the nal
variant, the MiG-21bis Fishbed L/N which featured
improved avionics/weapons systems, a more powerful

improved avionics/weapons systems, a more powerful

Tumanskiy R25-300 engine, increased fuel and improved
manoeuvrability.
The Fishbed L (14 were delivered in 1975) was equipped

with the Lazur Ground Control Interception system
and designated MiG-21bis-Lazur in the GDR; and
the Fishbed N (32 were delivered in 1976 and 5 were lost
in accidents) was equipped with the Polyot Instrument
Landing System and designated MiG-21bis-SAU in
the GDR where SAU referred to Sistema
Avtomaticheskovo Upravleniya = Automatic Control
System). 41 MiG-21bis remained in service with the
LSK until 1990.
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.com/2015/09/g
dr-tafs-47-mig-21pf-1985.jpg)
LSK MiG-21PF ghters of TAFS-47 readied for ight in

1985 (Photo Source: DDR-Luftwae)
dr-mig-21-ightline.jpg)
GDR LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed ightline
dr-mig-21.jpg)
GDR LSK JG-7 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21M Fishbed

(Photo Source: DDR-Luftwae)
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.com/2015/09/t
-jg7-590_mig-21m-1985.jpg)

rocket assisted take-o circa 1985 (Photo Source: DDR-
Luftwae)
dr-mig-21nva_2.jpg)
A GDR MiG-21 FIshbed comes in for a landing

deploying a parachute to slow the ghter down
dr-mig-21nva_1.jpg)
GDR MiG-21 Fishbed ight inspection
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.com/2015/09/
mig-21bis-gdr-1.jpg)
LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21bis Fishbed the nal

variant operated by East Germany (Luftwae Museum
in 2010)
In addition to the single seat ghters approximately 71

MiG-21U/US/UM Mongol A/B two-seat trainers were
still in use in 1989. Although 50 MiG-21s had been
withdrawn during 1989, there were still 251 MiG-21s of
numerous types in LSK service that year serving with JG-
1 (Holzdorf air defence), JG-2 (Neubrandenburg air
defence), JG-3 (Preschen air defence), JG-7 (Drewi
air defence), JG-8 (Marxwalde air defence), TAFS-47
(Drewi ghter bomber), TAFS-87 (Preschen ghter

(Drewi ghter bomber), TAFS-87 (Preschen ghter

bomber) and FAG-15 (Rothenburg under the
command of the Air Force Training Command at
Kamenz AFB).
mig21um-229-jg3.jpg)
A MiG-21UM two-seat trainer of JG-3 (Photo Source:

DDR-Luftwae)
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.com/2015/09/i
mg_1982-700x467.jpg)
LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21UB two-seat trainer

(Luftwae Museum in 2010)
mig-21-ub-bis-gdr.jpg)
LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21UB two-seat trainer &

MiG-21bis ghter (Luftwae Museum in 2010)
dr_mig21mf664jg1holzdorf26sep90.jpg)
A GDR MiG-21MF of JG.1 at Holzdorf on September

26th, 1990
MiG-21. NVA DDR. Auf dem Wchter der Ero
Mig-21 DDR NVA FAG-15 Heinz Kapelle
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.com/2015/09/i
mg_1981-700x467.jpg)
When east meets west potential opponents during the

Cold War an East German Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21bis
Fishbed and a West German Lockheed F-104G
Starghter (Luftwae Museum 2010)
MiG-23 Flogger
The LSK had a signicant boost to its capability in the

1970s when it received the Mach 2.3 capable swing wing
Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23 Flogger B/C/G ghters to
supplement the older MiG-21 Fishbed ghters and
replace older MiG-17 Fresco aircraft (the MiG-21 was
still more cost-eective to run and also often more reliable
and maneuverable so it remained in greater numbers as a
frontline ghter). As with the MiG-21 the LSK received
more advanced versions of the MiG-23 that were similar
to those operated by the Soviets and could carry both
Vympel R-60 / AA-8 Aphid heat-seeking short-range
missiles and Vympel R-23 / AA-7 Apex radar guided
medium range missiles along with air to ground
ordnance. 46 MiG-23 were still being operated in 1989,
serving with JG-9 at Peenemunde for air defence (9 MiG-
23MF, 28 of the more maneuverable MiG-23ML with
improved avionics and radar along with 9 MiG-23UB
two-seat trainers).
nva-582-mig23-peenemuende.jpg)
LSK MiG-23MF Flogger armed with R-60 / AA-8 Aphid

short-range and R-23 / AA-7 Apex medium range air to
air missiles at Peenemuende
dr-mig-23ml-ogger-g.jpg)
GDR Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23ML Flogger (improved

and more capable variant note the revised tail shape)
dr-mig-23nva_3.jpg)
A great shot of GDR Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23ML

Flogger in ight with training missiles
dr-mig-23nva_2.jpg)
GDR MiG-23ML formation
dr-mig-23nva_1.jpg)
dr-mig-23nva_1.jpg)
A pair of East German MiG-23ML Flogger ghters in

formation
dr-mig-23nva_4.jpg)
A GDR MiG-23 roars high into the sky
mig-23mf-1.jpg)
GDR LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23MF Flogger

mig-23ml.jpg)
GDR Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23ML Flogger (Luftwae

Museum in 2010)
dr-mig-23ub-1989-90-jbg-37.jpg)
MiG-23UB two-seat trainer of JBG-37 circa 1989/90

mig-23ub.jpg)
LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23UB two-seat trainer

Mig-23 Peenemunde DDR GDR NVA JG-9 M
L-39 Albatros A handy back-up
Czech designed Aero L-39 Albatros trainers were in us

by East Germany for advanced pilot training and target
towing duties from November 1977. The type also had a
secondary a ack capability and could have been pressed
into such service if the need was ever to arise. 52 were still
in service in 1989, serving with FDK-33 at Peenemunde
(4 aircraft under the command of the Air Defense
Division at Neubrandenburg AFB) and FAG-25 at
Bau en (28 aircraft under the command of the Air Force
Training Command at Kamenz AFB).
dr-aero-l-39-albatros.jpg)
LSK Aero L-39 Albatros trainer with rocket pods the

type could be pressed into the ground a ack role if
required
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.com/2015/11/a
ero-l-39-target-towing.jpg)
Aero L-39V Albatros in a target towing livery (Luftwae

Museum in 2010)
1980s
MiG-23BN A new ground a ack capability begins
In the 1980s the East German Air Force increased its

ground a ack capability with the delivery of the
Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23BN Flogger H ground
a ack aircraft (the more capable variant of the MiG-27
export) circa 1980. These combat aircraft were a huge
advancement in capability on types such as the ageing
and limited MiG-17 Fresco which was being used in the
ghter-bomber role. 18 MiG-23BN were operated by the
LSK in 1989, serving with JBG-37 at Drewi .
dr-mig-23bn.jpg)
GDR LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23BN Flogger H

ground a ack aircraft
dr-mig-23bn-jbg-37-2.jpg)
GDR MiG-23BN of JBG-37
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.com/2015/11/e
ast-german-mig-23bns.jpg)
A pair of GDR LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23BN

Flogger H ground a ack aircraft carrying rocket pods
Flogger H ground a ack aircraft carrying rocket pods
MiG-23BN . Luftstreitkrafte der Nationalen V
dr-mig-23bn-jbg-37-crews-circa-1989-90.jpg)
MiG-23BN Pilots of JBG-37 circa 1990 Taking personal

photos was apparently not permi ed in the NVA so these
types of group shots are really interesting to see note
the rabbit ears gesture! (Photo Source: DDR-Luftwae)
mig-23bn.jpg)
LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23BN Flogger H (Luftwae

Museum in 2010)
Su-22 Fi er K
In December 1984 this ground a ack capability was

further enhanced with the delivery of the rst Mach 1.7
capable Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er K variable swing wing
ghter-bombers (22 SU-22M-4 and 4 SU-22UM two-seat
trainers these were an export variant of the Soviet Su-
17M-4 Fi er K, the last production variant of the Fi er).
The East German Navy (Volksmarine) also operated 23
SU-22M-4 and 4 SU-22UM two-seat trainers. The Su-
22M-4 was ed with upgraded avionics and weapons
systems and could carry both short-range air to air
missiles for self-defence along with a wide array of air to
ground ordnance including rockets, bombs (guided and
unguided), gun pods and air to surface missiles on 10
weapons pylons. This provided the LSK with an
improved strike/a ack aircraft with a greater payload
than the MiG-23BN.
dr-lsk-su-22m-4.jpg)
GDR Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er K (Photo Source: DDR-

Luftwae)
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.com/2015/11/s
u-22m-4-lsk.jpg)
LSK Sukhoi Su-22M-4 a ack aircraft at the Luftwae

Museum (Berlin-Gatow Aireld) in 2010
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.com/2015/09/j
bg-77-su-22um-4-1986.jpg)
GDR JBG-77 Sukhoi Su-22UM-4 two-seat trainer in 1986

u-22um-4-lsk.jpg)
LSK Sukhoi Su-22UM-4 two-seat trainer at the Luftwae

Museum in 2010
(h ps://acesyinghigh.les.wordpress.com/2015/09/7
301l-1-su-22-special-color-last-ying-day-of-the-lsk-
nva-on-september-30-1990.jpg)
Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er-K of the East German Air

Force in a special farewell scheme before the LSK ceased
ight operations on September 30th, 1990 (Photo Source:
1000 Aircraft Photos Photographed at Flugpla Laage,
Gstrow, Schwerin, Germany, September 27th, 1990, by
Gerald Zietsch)
301l-2-su-22-special-color-last-ying-day-of-the-lsk-
nva-on-september-30-1990.jpg)
Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er-K of the East German Air

Force in a special farewell scheme before the LSK ceased
ight operations on September 30th, 1990 (Photo Source:
1000 Aircraft Photos Photographed at Flugpla Laage,
Gstrow, Schwerin, Germany, September 27th, 1990, by
Gerald Zietsch)
SU-22 Fitter Laage GDR NVA DDR
z07-1-gdr-su-22m-4-ship-a ack.jpg)
GDR Volksmarine MFG-28 Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er K

aircraft conduct an air to sea training mission (Photo
Source: DDR-Luftwae)
302l-2-sukhoi-su-22m-4- er-k-east-german-navy-
sept-27-1990-farewell-scheme.jpg)
Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er-K of the East German Navy

(Volksmarine) in a farewell scheme (Photo source: 1000
Aircraft Photos Photographed at Flugpla Laage,
Gstrow, Schwerin, Germany, September 27, 1990, by
Gerald Zietsch)
302l-1-7302l-2-sukhoi-su-22m-4- er-k-east-german-
navy-sept-27-1990-farewell-scheme.jpg)
Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er-K of the East German Navy

(Volksmarine) in a farewell scheme (Photo source: 1000
Aircraft Photos Photographed at Flugpla Laage,
Gstrow, Schwerin, Germany, September 27, 1990, by
Gerald Zietsch)
u-22m-4-volksmarine.jpg)
Volksmarine Sukhoi Su-22M-4 798 in that same farewell

scheme at the Luftwae Museum in 2010 (still looking
good 20 years later)
All of the Su-22M-4s were still in East German service

in 1989, serving with JBG-77 (LSK) and MFG-28
(Volksmarine) both at Laage. Following the
reunication of Germany in 1990 the Su-22, despite
being a highly capable a ack aircraft was not
incorporated into the Luftwae. 7 were retained for test
and evaluation purposes only, by the Luftwae Test
and Evaluation Centre (WTD-61) at Manching until
1998 (no doubt former NVA personnel helped maintain
and y these aircraft).
mig-23bn-su-22m-4.jpg)
GDR Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23BN Flogger H and

Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er K (Luftwae Museum in 2010)
A number of former LSK aircraft remain in museums

today and the Lutwae Museum at the historic
Berlin-Gatow aireld is where I saw many of these
survivors during a visit to Germany in 2010. Apart from
the GDR historical photos I have included, the rest I have
featured here were taken in during that visit.
dr-lsk-bases.gif)
GDR LSK Bases (Image Source: DDR-Luftwae)
In my next post I will take a look at the nal combat

aircraft acquisition of East Germany, the Mikoyan
Gurevich MiG-29 Fulcrum multi-role ghter. This was
a huge but short lived technology leap for the LSK and
this post will also cover the demise of the East German
nation and thus the LSK in 1990.
References:
1000 Aircraft Photos

(h p://1000aircraftphotos.com/Contributions/Vissch
edijk/7301.htm)
Aviatia.net MiG-21
(h p://www.aviatia.net/military-aircraft/german-
mig-21/)
DDR-Luftwae.de
DDR-Luftwae.de
(h p://home.snafu.de/veith/index.html)
TopEdge.com
(h p://www.topedge.com/panels/aircraft/sites/kraft/
nva.htm)
Wikipedia
(h ps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Forces_of_the_N
ational_People%27s_Army)
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DEANO AVIATION, COLD WAR, HISTORY,
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4 thoughts on Combat Jets of

the East German Air Force:
1970 to 1987
The Modernization
1. Eric from NZ
January 13, 2016 at 3:14 am Reply
nice work. Thank you very much.
I am making a 1/48 Su22m4 of LSK by KP models.

Such an ecient airpower existed and lives in east
german people memories.
Regards
Deano
January 13, 2016 at 12:00 pm Reply
I have some additional photos from my recent
travels in Germany (Dec 2015) of some more of
the surviving GDR Su-22, MiG-21 and MiG-23s
that were later used for testing with the reunied
Germany. I will add them to the blog too
2. Vincent Eichhorn
July 25, 2016 at 9:24 am Reply
Thanks for your blog! My grand uncle was a MiG-
17PF pilot but crashed in 1963.. However, thanks for
your eorts, great photos and videos! Please more of
this;)
Deano
July 25, 2016 at 10:39 am Reply
Thanks Vincent. Sorry to hear he crashed. The
history of the German air forces is always a
fascinating one!

Combat Jets of The East German Air Force - 1970 To 1987 - The Modernization

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24/11/2017 Combat Jets of the East German Air Force: 1970 to 1987 The Modernization Aces Flying High

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German Air Force: 1970 to

The East German Air Force

The former East and West Germany

modernization period East German Air Force aircraft

More MiG-21 ghters The mainstay of the LSK

Throughout the 1960s the Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21

improved avionics/weapons systems, a more powerful

improved avionics/weapons systems, a more powerful

The Fishbed L (14 were delivered in 1975) was equipped

LSK MiG-21PF ghters of TAFS-47 readied for ight in

GDR LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed ightline

GDR LSK JG-7 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21M Fishbed

GDR LSK JG-7 Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21M Fishbed

A GDR MiG-21 FIshbed comes in for a landing

GDR MiG-21 Fishbed ight inspection

LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21bis Fishbed the nal

In addition to the single seat ghters approximately 71

(Drewi ghter bomber), TAFS-87 (Preschen ghter

(Drewi ghter bomber), TAFS-87 (Preschen ghter

A MiG-21UM two-seat trainer of JG-3 (Photo Source:

LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21UB two-seat trainer

LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21UB two-seat trainer &

A GDR MiG-21MF of JG.1 at Holzdorf on September

MiG-21. NVA DDR. Auf dem Wchter der Ero

Mig-21 DDR NVA FAG-15 Heinz Kapelle

When east meets west potential opponents during the

The LSK had a signicant boost to its capability in the

LSK MiG-23MF Flogger armed with R-60 / AA-8 Aphid

GDR Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23ML Flogger (improved

A great shot of GDR Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23ML

GDR MiG-23ML formation

A pair of East German MiG-23ML Flogger ghters in

A GDR MiG-23 roars high into the sky

GDR LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23MF Flogger

GDR Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23ML Flogger (Luftwae

MiG-23UB two-seat trainer of JBG-37 circa 1989/90

LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23UB two-seat trainer

Mig-23 Peenemunde DDR GDR NVA JG-9 M

L-39 Albatros A handy back-up

Czech designed Aero L-39 Albatros trainers were in us

LSK Aero L-39 Albatros trainer with rocket pods the

Aero L-39V Albatros in a target towing livery (Luftwae

MiG-23BN A new ground a ack capability begins

In the 1980s the East German Air Force increased its

GDR LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23BN Flogger H

GDR MiG-23BN of JBG-37

A pair of GDR LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23BN

Flogger H ground a ack aircraft carrying rocket pods

MiG-23BN . Luftstreitkrafte der Nationalen V

MiG-23BN Pilots of JBG-37 circa 1990 Taking personal

LSK Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-23BN Flogger H (Luftwae

In December 1984 this ground a ack capability was

GDR Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er K (Photo Source: DDR-

LSK Sukhoi Su-22M-4 a ack aircraft at the Luftwae

GDR JBG-77 Sukhoi Su-22UM-4 two-seat trainer in 1986

LSK Sukhoi Su-22UM-4 two-seat trainer at the Luftwae

Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er-K of the East German Air

Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er-K of the East German Air

SU-22 Fitter Laage GDR NVA DDR

GDR Volksmarine MFG-28 Sukhoi Su-22M-4 Fi er K