The MiG 1.44 was designed by the Mikoyan Experimental Design Bureau in 1986 as a result of efforts to develop a fifth generation fighter for the Soviet Air Force and Air Defense units. The first flight occurred in early 1994 at the Gromov Flight Research Institute. The MiG-1.44 is designed to counter the new western fighters such as the F/A-22 and Eurofighter EF-2000.