In response to the presence of NATO fighter jets near Russia’s borders, MiG-31 interceptors conducted stratospheric drills over the Bering Sea.
Interceptions in the stratosphere by the MiG-31
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the MiG-31 of the Northern Fleet aviation regiment simulated a confrontation in the stratosphere. During this exercise, the aircraft reacted to a suspected threat of an enemy aircraft approaching the Russian borders.
The fighter jet reached an altitude of approximately 11,000 meters above the Bering Sea. In the process, he managed to intercept and neutralize a simulated threat. The MiG-31 Foxhound is known to have remarkable performance at high altitudes.
This exercise is further highlighted due to a recent event where Russia had to intervene with a MiG-31 Foxhound to prevent the incursion of a US P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft over the Norwegian Sea.
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Air tensions: West vs. Russia
Since the conflict in Ukraine, patrols by Western military aircraft near Russian airspace have been constant. These actions have led to numerous encounters with Russian aircraft, raising concerns about the stability of the region.
This situation has aggravated tensions between Moscow and the West, causing continuous surveillance on the borders between Norway and Russia. NATO, backed by Finland and Sweden, seeks to consolidate its presence in the region, challenging Russian preferences.
The Ministry of Defense also mentioned that, in the Finval-2023 exercises, the interception of enemy cruise missiles over the Chukchi Sea with the MiG-31 was simulated. The crews managed to eliminate the targets using air-to-air missiles successfully.
The powerful MiG-31: defense and offense in the air
The MiG-31 interceptor is highly effective against adversary aircraft and cruise missiles due to its superior speed and range, reaching speeds of up to Mach 2.83.
The MiG-31 ‘s advanced Zaslon phased-array radar system can identify multiple targets at ranges of up to 200 kilometers. In addition, it is equipped with long-range air-to-air missiles, such as the R-33 and R-37, capable of hitting targets up to 300 kilometers away.
Its solid construction and powerful engines allow it to operate at high altitudes and challenging weather conditions. This, together with its advanced electronic warfare systems, makes it a formidable adversary in the sky, capable of defending extensive territories and confronting multiple threats.
