Upgraded MiG-31 fighter jets have been handed over to the Russian Ministry of Defense (RuMoD) and sent to permanent bases, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) announced on July 31, 2023.
The fighter jets underwent repairs and were enhanced with features and capabilities to bolster their combat strength. However, their flight performance will remain unaffected.
These long-range and high-altitude fighter jets are capable of launching the hypersonic Kinzhal missile which has already demonstrated its destructive potential in Ukraine.
According to a statement shared on the UAC website, the MiG-31s were modernized in the Sokol Aircraft Plant.
“Modernization of MiG-31 aircraft is one of the main competencies and the most important activity of the Nizhny Novgorod Sokol Aircraft Building Plant in the UAC circuit,” Yury Slyusar, general director of the UAC was quoted as saying in the statement.
“The enterprise fulfills its obligations to provide the Russian army with the necessary aviation equipment,” he added.
Just days after the newest upgrade, a large-Scale air alert in Ukraine was announced twice on August 1, 2023, due to the takeoff of a Russian MiG-31K.
However, the UAC did not specify the variant or the number of upgraded MiG-31s delivered so it could be either the MiG-31K or the MiG-31BM.
The UAC also claims that it is currently working on three new modifications of the Su-75 Checkmate light tactical aircraft.