Saw a MiG-23 listed for sale online once. $300,000 starting price. Actually reasonable for a fighter jet. The operating costs are where it gets crazy.
Yes, You Can Buy One
Soviet-era jets show up on the market occasionally. Decommissioned, demilitarized, sold off by former Eastern Bloc countries. It happens.
Finding one isn’t the hard part. Everything else is.
The Legal Stuff
International arms regulations. Import/export laws. Local rules about owning military hardware. You need lawyers who specialize in this. It’s not like buying a Cessna.
Some countries won’t let you import it at all. Others have restrictions on what you can do with it.
The Money Reality
Purchase price is just the start. Restoration on an older jet runs hundreds of thousands. Maintenance needs mechanics who know Soviet aircraft – not exactly common. Parts are rare and expensive.
Fuel costs are brutal. Jet fuel plus the consumption rate of a military aircraft. Flying it regularly costs more than most people’s mortgage.
Actually Flying It
You need specialized training. This isn’t a Piper Cub. Former military pilots sometimes offer training, or there are specialty aviation schools. Expensive and time-consuming.
Insurance? Good luck. Not many companies will touch it, and those that do charge accordingly.
Why People Do It
Airshows, private collections, museums. Some rich aviation enthusiasts just want to own a piece of Cold War history. It’s a flex, basically. A very expensive, very loud flex.
If money’s truly not an issue and you’re obsessed with aviation, it’s doable. Just know what you’re getting into.
