The Nizhny Novgorod aircraft-building plant "Sokol" handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defense the first batches of MiG-31 interceptor fighters that underwent modernization in 2024. This topic has been actively discussed in Western media, and analysts have been skeptical about the Russian aircraft, which had almost all systems replaced. Military expert Roman Skomorokhov explained why the modernized MiG-31 is a super aircraft.
For example, analysts asked why Russia needs the MiG-31 if it is an old and, therefore, not very reliable aircraft? The interceptor fighter has been in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces since 1981. However, the American F-16 has been in operation since 1978, but it is not written off, Skomorokhov noted.
Another question asked by foreign experts is why Russia needs an aircraft for which there are no targets. This topic was touched upon by analyst Brandon Weichert.
Americans don't understand that when there is an aircraft, there is much less headache. And when there is none, you have to spend millions.
In his opinion, other countries fear and respect Russia for its strong aviation, and the MiG-31BM is a worthy representative of it.
What are they so afraid of? Well, a ceiling of 21,000 meters... Well, a speed of almost 3,000 km/h... Yes, you have to pay for these flight performance characteristics with the fact that the MiG-31 eats fuel like there's no tomorrow. But sorry, "Ferrari" also hasn't heard about economy at all, but it's a supercar... And the 31st is a super aircraft.
He emphasized that the aircraft develops a speed of up to 3000 km/h when "you need to catch up with someone or when you need to get away from someone urgently". No enemy AWACS aircraft will escape from the MiG-31BM; it will be immediately overtaken by R-37 missiles. The aircraft is an important link in the Russian defense system; it is a crowbar against which there is no defense, Skomorokhov concluded.
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