Russia to Field MiG-31 Replacement by 2020 – Commander

MiG-31 interceptors

© RIA Novosti. Vitaly Ankov
16:27 11/04/2013

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Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jet

MOSCOW, April 11 (RIA Novosti) – The Russian Air Force is hoping to
receive a new long-range fighter-interceptor by 2020 and retire its
existing fleet of MiG-31 interceptors by 2028, Air Force Commander Lt.
Gen. Viktor Bondarev said on Thursday.

`We have started development of a new aircraft of this type and I
think we can develop this plane before the state armament program ends
in 2020,’ Bondarev said at a meeting with Russian lawmakers.

`The new plane should replace the existing fleet by 2028,’ he said.

Bondarev spoke out against restarting production of the MiG-31, which
was stopped 20 years ago, saying the country needs a totally new
interceptor to meet modern requirements.

The Russian Air Force has 122 MiG-31 interceptors in service and more
aircraft in reserve, he said.

The MiG-31, the fastest fighter-interceptor in service anywhere in the
world, has recently been the subject of a comprehensive upgrade to
MiG-31BM standard.

The MiG-31BM has a range of 900 miles (1,450 km) on internal fuel,
which can be extended to 3,355 miles (5,400 km) with air-to-air
refueling.

© RIA Novosti.

Russian MiG-31 Fighter Jet

The modernized version boasts upgraded avionics and digital
data-links, a new multimode radar, color multifunction cockpit
displays, and a more powerful fire-control system. It can
simultaneously track up to 10 targets.

The two-seat MiG-31 can intercept targets up to 124 miles (200 km)
away thanks to its advanced radar and long-range missiles. The Air
Force said in 2012 it was testing a new long-range missile for the
MiG-31, which analysts who spoke to RIA Novosti said was likely to be
the K-37M, also known as RVV-BD (NATO AA-X-13 Arrow).

The Russian Air Force has previously said it intends to take delivery
of up to 60 MiG-31BMs by 2020, under a contract signed with United
Aircraft Corporation in 2011.

MiG-31 interceptors are an integral part of a comprehensive aerospace
defense network being created in Russia to thwart any potential
airborne threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles.

From: A. Papazian