A retired military pilot and author of the Telegram channel Fighterbomber criticized the decision to include MiG-31 interceptor fighters in the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS). According to him, such an organizational scheme does not correspond to the real role of the aircraft.
It should be noted that we are talking about the MiG-31I modification, which was assigned to the "long-range" category. Initially, the MiG-31 was created as an element of operational-tactical aviation (OTA) — for rapid interception of targets, work on air and aeroballistic threats, and covering large areas.
Recently, the MiG-31 has also joined the "long-range" aircraft. Moreover, in a separate MiG-31I modification. I think this is a temporary misunderstanding that will be corrected and the "MiGs" will be returned to the fold of the OTA. But this is not accurate.
Recall that the practical range of the MiG-31I is up to 2200 km without refueling, but with refueling it increases to 5400 km. The time spent in the air is more than 7 hours.
The Ministry of Defense, in a recent congratulation to the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces, also attributed the MiG-31I to a representative of this type of troops.
Read more materials on the topic:
- MiG-31 turned out to be impossible to shoot down with existing air defense systems
- MiG-31 retirement postponed: Russia is reviving the production of legendary D-30F6 engines
- "The Russians remain in the shadows with their MiG-31s": Rutte spoke contemptuously about interceptor fighters and their pilots
