First modernized MiG-31s of the year handed over to the Ministry of Defense

UAC sent 4th generation fighters armed with hypersonic "Kinzhal" missiles to their bases

The Nizhny Novgorod aircraft-building plant "Sokol" of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) has handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defense the first batches of MiG-31 interceptor fighters that have undergone repair and modernization this year.

MiG-31K armed with a hypersonic missile "Kinzhal"
MiG-31K armed with a hypersonic missile "Kinzhal"

The aviation equipment was delivered as part of the fulfillment of obligations under the state defense order.

Before being sent to their permanent bases, the aircraft underwent a set of ground and flight tests, which confirmed their compliance with the specified requirements.

MiG-31 is a Soviet, now Russian, two-seat supersonic all-weather long-range interceptor fighter. This is the first Soviet fourth-generation combat aircraft. The first flight of the MiG-31 took place on September 16, 1975, and the prototype was flown by the chief pilot of the A.I. Mikoyan plant, Alexander Fedotov. The aircraft was put into service on May 6, 1981 and was produced until 1994 at the Sokol aircraft plant in Gorky (now Nizhny Novgorod). In total, more than 500 units were built. Currently, machines of this type are operated by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and in Kazakhstan.

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Modern modifications and tasks of the MiG-31

MiG-31 (NATO codification: Foxhound) is a two-seat supersonic long-range interceptor fighter designed for long-term patrolling and combating high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, strategic bombers and low-flying targets. The aircraft is capable of simultaneously hitting six and tracking up to ten air targets.

High-precision missiles of the "Kinzhal" complex on board the fighter
High-precision missiles of the "Kinzhal" complex on board the fighter

Currently, the Russian Armed Forces are receiving modernized MiG-31BMs. This fighter in the MiG-31K modification became the first aircraft carrier of hypersonic weapons - the Kinzhal missile.

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