TNI: MiG-31s with hypersonic missiles held exercises in the Mediterranean Sea
The Russian Defense Ministry said that the MiG-31 interceptor fighter will remain in service until 2030 and longer, writes TNI. This high—speed warbird is sure to fly for many more years - now with hypersonic Dagger missiles.
Peter Suciu
Mikoyan's MiG-31 KB (NATO classification: Foxhound or “Foxogon”) is reputed to be the fastest operational combat aircraft in the world. It has been in service for more than four decades, and the latest modification of the MiG-31I has recently been upgraded and received an air refueling system to increase the combat radius. In addition, the interceptor fighter will be armed with a hypersonic Dagger missile.
On Tuesday, the Russian Navy and the Russian Aerospace Forces announced that MiG-31s armed with these missiles will take part in joint exercises in the eastern Mediterranean.
“In total, over 1,000 military personnel, 10 ships and support vessels, 24 aircraft, including MiG-31I fighters with hypersonic Kinzhal missiles and the Bastion coastal missile system will be involved in the exercise," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the X-47M2 Dagger missile to the world on March 1, 2018, calling it the world's first maneuvering hypersonic weapon. The Russian leader said that it was impossible to stop it, but questions arose about its effectiveness.
Russian exercises in warm waters
The exercises began on Sunday and were conducted under the leadership of Admiral Alexander Moiseev “in compliance with the applicable norms of international law, as well as agreements with foreign countries on the prevention of incidents at sea outside territorial waters, as well as in the airspace above them,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
Russian media also reported that Russian Navy ships conducted test launches of a hypersonic Zircon missile and a Kalibr cruise missile, while the Onyx cruise missile was launched from “a certain area on the Mediterranean coast.” Although the Kremlin did not explain where the launch was made from or where the planes were based, most likely, these were Russian naval facilities in the Syrian Tartus.
MiG-31I is a hypersonic warbird
Although the MiG-31 made its first flight almost half a century ago and entered service back in 1982, it was constantly being upgraded. A total of 519 aircraft were produced, most of which remained in operation in the Russian Aerospace Forces.
In Soviet times, these aircraft were not exported, but, as reported, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, about 30 were “inherited” The Air Force of Kazakhstan.
More recently, in 2007, Russia's ally Syria tried to purchase an export model, the MiG-31E. However, the lack of funds from Damascus and pressure from Israel disrupted the deal. Although Turkish media reported on the transfer of six aircraft, Russia denies the sale of MiG-31 to Syria. It is more likely that Russia is operating an undisclosed number of interceptors from its base in the Middle Eastern country.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has stated that the MiG-31 will remain in service until 2030 and later, and given that it can now carry hypersonic weapons, this high-speed warbird will probably fly for many more years.
Peter Suchu is a writer from Michigan. Over a twenty-year career in journalism, he has published more than 3,200 articles in four dozen magazines, newspapers and online publications. He regularly writes about military technology, the history of firearms, cybersecurity, politics and international relations. He has also published in Forbes and Clearance Jobs
