Russian arms exporter denies MiG-31 fighter contract with Syria

[Lankan Ranger]

Russian arms exporter denies MiG-31 fighter contract with Syria

Russia does not have a contract to supply MiG-31 Foxhound fighter jets to Syria, the head of the Russian state-run arms exporter Rosoboronexport said on Wednesday.

Media rumors about the sales of at least six MiG-31 aircraft to Damascus under a 2007 contract sparked criticism in the West and Israel, which consider arming Syria a threat to regional security.

"The existence of a contract on the delivery of MiG-31 interceptors to Syria is a journalistic hoax," Rosoboronexport General Director Anatoly Isaykin told reporters at the Euronaval 2010 exhibition in Paris.

The MiG-31 Foxhound is a two-seater supersonic interceptor aircraft developed to replace the MiG-25 Foxbat. It is equipped with two D-30F6 turbofan two-shaft engines with a common afterburner and a variable supersonic nozzle, which allow the aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds of up to Mach 2.83.

The interceptor also features unique air-to-air missiles capable of hitting targets at ranges exceeding 200 kilometers (125 miles), including aircraft with stealth capabilities, cruise missiles, and supersonic aircraft.

Russian arms exporter denies MiG-31 fighter contract with Syria | Defense | RIA Novosti

 

[jha]

I remember India was offered these to replace Mig-25s. but we were not financially sound at that time..If Syria gets these then Israel is in big trouble..

 

[S_O_C_O_M]

when was the contract alleged to have been signed?

 

[500]

I remember India was offered these to replace Mig-25s. but we were not financially sound at that time..If Syria gets these then Israel is in big trouble..

What troubles can do MiG-31? This plane is too bulky for Middle East.

 

[nitetrogen70]

any specs on the plane

 

[jha]

What troubles can do MiG-31? This plane is too bulky for Middle East.

It is best interceptor available today..Carries a lot of AAMs..Even if they manage to shoot some F-16s.they will have completed their job..

 

[500]

It is best interceptor available today..Carries a lot of AAMs..Even if they manage to shoot some F-16s.they will have completed their job..

Whats best about it? Its a huge unmaneuverable high altitude monsted armed with passive unmaneuverable missiles. Its good to hunt strategc bombers over Sibira, but has no use in ME.

 

[Patriot]

Mig 31 is a piece of crap in today's modern warfare.It'll make a good target for BVR Missiles and if it gets into dogfight it will be suicidal as its not maneuverable like modern jets.

 

[mnd]

Whats best about it? Its a huge unmaneuverable high altitude monsted armed with passive unmaneuverable missiles. Its good to hunt strategc bombers over Sibira, but has no use in ME.

That´s the mig-25. The new Mig-31 is a multirole interceptor. It is more maneouvrable and cruises near Mach 3. It has a new modernised high power Zaslon-M radar, wich is made to hunt cruise missiles and stealth aircraft at far ranges. It has data-link wich means it acts as a "mini-AWACS", networked with the rest of the fighters and with SAM batteries. It can carry big high range anti-AWACS missiles and medium, short range maneouvrable anti-fighter missiles. This feature, especially the data-link, give great advantages for a fleet.

 

[500]

That´s the mig-25.

Everything what I wrote is relevant for MiG-31 as well. It is low agility aircraft (5g) armed with passive low maneuverable R-33 missiles and does not have any chance against F-15 with AMRAAMs.

In facts its dady MiG-25 did not shot a single aircraft here.

 

[Canaan]

I heard that the mig-31 deal was cancelled and instead replaced with mig-29M fighters

 

[notorious_eagle]

I remember India was offered these to replace Mig-25s. but we were not financially sound at that time..If Syria gets these then Israel is in big trouble..

It will take the Israelis less than a day to neutralize these useless aircrafts, its failure in the export market goes to say volumes why this aircraft has failed. This plane is not designed to fight in the Middle East. The Syrians would have been better off going for additional upgraded MIG29's and S300's, they will serve their doctrine much better than the MIG31's. But overall, in my opinion its safe to say that IDAF has reached a point where it does not considers Syrian Air Force a serious threat. The bombing of the nuclear reactor in 2007 is a testament to that.

 

[GodlessBastard]

The MiG-31 is absolutely useless for an air force like Syria's. The MiG-31 was designed to intercept American bombers like the B-1; thus, it is optimized for high-speed, high-altitude interception.

It is NOT a dogfighter or air superiority fighter, and it will get ripped apart if faced against Israeli F-15/16.

 

[ptldM3]

Mig 31 is a piece of crap in today's modern warfare.It'll make a good target for BVR Missiles and if it gets into dogfight it will be suicidal as its not maneuverable like modern jets.

the Mig-31 is not meant to get into dogfights, it's a high altitude, high speed interceptor armed with long range weapons.

Everything what I wrote is relevant for MiG-31 as well. It is low agility aircraft (5g) armed with passive low maneuverable R-33 missiles and does not have any chance against F-15 with AMRAAMs.

The R-33 is not the only missles the Mig-31 carries, and most of the missles the Mig-31 does carry are long range.

In facts its dady MiG-25 did not shot a single aircraft here.

In fact you are wrong, the Mig-25 shot down an F-18 over the middle east and Mohommed Rayyan had atleast 8 confirmed kills against much more agile aircraft such as F-5's. And we are talking about a Mig-25 and not a Mig-31 which is better suited for air combat.

 

[SQ8]

Also to add.. the 31E is the toned down export version.. the Syrians are better off buying Chinese F-7's ..they would have a better chance to put up some sort of feeble resistance.