Russian MiG-31 Fighters Practice Dogfighting in the Stratosphere Over Barents Sea

In a recent display of its aerial combat prowess, a MiG-31 fighter jet from the Russian Northern Fleet executed mock dogfighting exercises high in the stratosphere above the Barents Sea.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported this demonstration of military readiness earlier this week, shedding light on the capabilities and evolving roles of these formidable aircraft.

Aerial Scenario: Intercepting a Notional Enemy

The Ministry’s statement outlined the scenario of the drills, where a hypothetical enemy aircraft approached the Russian state border, as reported by state media TASS. In response, a MiG-31 fighter from the Northern Fleet’s air defense alert forces scrambled to identify the air target and prevent it from breaching Russian airspace.

During these maneuvers, the Northern Fleet’s MiG-31 fighter ascended to an altitude of over 11,000 meters above the Barents Sea, ultimately intercepting and notionally neutralizing the intruder.

The Mighty MiG-31: A Symbol of Russian Air Defense

The MiG-31, a Soviet and Russian-made long-range supersonic two-seat all-weather fighter jet, stands as an iconic symbol of the nation’s air defense capabilities.

Armed with a formidable 23mm six-barrel gun, various MiG-31 modifications can carry a diverse array of weaponry, including air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, air bombs, and hypersonic aero-ballistic missiles.

Notably, the Russian Ministry of Defense has repeatedly emphasized the deployment of MiG-31 fighter jets for defense patrols in their assigned areas.

Upon locating and confirming a target as a hostile aircraft, the crew launches air-to-air missiles to eliminate the potential threat.

Upgrade Advancements: The MiG-31BM Variant

Some of these MiG-31 fighters have undergone significant upgrades, transforming into MiG-31BM (Bolshaya Modernizatsiya/Deep Modernization) variants.

According to Russian sources, the MiG-31BM boasts a remarkable 2.6 times increase in effectiveness and an enhanced Zaslon-M radar, which can detect air targets from an impressive 400 kilometers away. The aircraft can also engage up to eight targets simultaneously while autonomously tracking up to 24 different targets.

This impressive fighter jet can briefly achieve speeds of Mach 2.5 (or roughly 2,500 km/h) and maintain altitudes of approximately 18 kilometers for over 700 kilometers.

Furthermore, the MiG-31’s prowess in high-altitude patrols is further highlighted by its reported ability to shoot down Ukrainian fighters with its long-range Vympel R-37M air-to-air missiles, maintaining an upper hand due to the limitations of Ukraine’s fighters in terms of range, speed, and altitude.

The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) reported that six R-37Ms were launched daily at Ukrainian Air Force fighters during October 2022, a testament to the MiG-31’s effectiveness in keeping potential threats at bay.

“[…] the extremely high speed of the weapon (R-37M), coupled with very long effective range and a seeker designed for engaging low-altitude targets, make it particularly difficult to evade,” the report read.

Conflicting Perceptions: From Intercept to Dogfight

Despite initial skepticism from Western officials and military experts regarding the MiG-31’s suitability for dogfight scenarios, the aircraft’s modifications and upgrades have endowed it with rapidly evolving capabilities.

The Russian Air Force now confidently asserts the aircraft’s capability to engage the enemy in aerial showdowns, backed by practical exercises like the one recently conducted.

Tensions at the Border: Intercepting a US Navy P-8A Poseidon

Significantly, these drills come in the wake of an incident where a MiG-31 was dispatched to intercept a US Navy P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft near the Russian border over the Norwegian Sea.

The MiG-31 successfully identified the allegedly intruding aircraft and averted a potential violation of Russian airspace, adhering to international rules for airspace usage over neutral waters.

“At the approach of the MiG-31, an American military aircraft performed a U-turn. Violation of the state border of the Russian Federation was prevented,” the Ministry remarked in a press release posted last Friday, October 6.

The heightened state of alert in the borderlands between Norway and Russia is a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the deteriorating relations between Western nations and Moscow.

NATO’s efforts to secure influence in the north have led to increased vigilance and military activity in the region. Finland and Sweden’s collaboration with Norway has added to Russia’s concerns.

Readiness in Practice: MiG-31 in Mock Interceptions

In a display of their ongoing readiness, the Russian Ministry of Defense previously announced that MiG-31 fighter jets conducted mock interceptions of simulated enemy cruise missiles over the Chukchi Sea during the Finval-2023 exercises.

The MiG-31 crews executed successful engagements and destroyed incoming aerial targets using air-to-air missiles.

This recent stratospheric dogfighting exercise is not the first of its kind. In 2019, pilots of upgraded MiG-31BM fighter planes engaged in their first-ever stratospheric dogfight over the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East, honing their skills in intercepting fictitious airspace intruders during training. A similar drill took place in Kamchatka in 2020, underscoring the regularity of such exercises for these fighter jets.

Additionally, last year, the Russian Navy’s Baltic Fleet announced that MiG-31 fighter jets practiced missile attacks during maneuvers in the stratosphere, further showcasing the aircraft’s multifaceted capabilities.

While these exercises may have become routine for the MiG-31, the choice of location is noteworthy. The Northern Military District, which includes the Barents Sea, has expanded its activities significantly in the aftermath of the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing Russia’s commitment to maintaining control and readiness in this crucial region.

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The recent dogfighting exercise over the Barents Sea is a testament to the MiG-31’s evolving role in Russian air defense. With its impressive array of weapons and upgraded capabilities, it stands as a potent force to be reckoned with.

In an increasingly tense geopolitical environment, these drills serve as a reminder of Russia’s determination to maintain a robust defense in the face of potential threats.