MigBuster 2,884 Posted August 17, 2015 YGBSM http://www.janes.com/article/53660/syria-reportedly-receives-mig-31-interceptors-from-russia The Syrian government has received six MiG-31 'Foxhound' interceptor aircraft from Russia under a deal that was said to have been signed in 2007, a regional media source has reported. The aircraft recently arrived at Mezze Airbase on the outskirts of Damascus, the Turkish BGN News agency reported on 16 August. Syria was reported to have ordered eight MiG-31 combat aircraft as part of a wider defence deal with Russia in 2007. Although this deal was confirmed at the time by the head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), Alexei Fyodorov, it was later denied by Anatoly Isaykin, director of state arms export bureau Rosoboronexport, who in 2010 described the sale as "a journalistic hoax". Neither the Russian nor the Syrian authorities have so far commented publicly on the reported deliveries. The MiG-31 first entered Soviet service in the early 1980s as a long-range, high-altitude, and high-speed interceptor. Although relatively old, it is still a highly capable platform that features some of the latest sensor and weapons fits. In particular, the MiG-31's NIIP N007 S-800 SBI-16 (RP-31) Zaslon or Zaslon-A electronically scanned phased-array fire-control radar (NATO codename 'Flash Dance') affords it an impressive beyond-visual range capability, enabling it to see airborne targets out to a range of 108 n miles (200 km; 124 miles) in a clutter-free forward sector, or 48 n miles (90 km; 56 miles) to the rear. It is capable of tracking 10 targets and attacking four simultaneously. Coupled with this radar, the MiG-31's R-33 (NATO codename AA-9 'Amos') or R-37 (AA-X-13/AA-13 'Arrow') long-range air-to-air missiles afford it a highly potent beyond-visual range (BVR) air-to-air capability. According to IHS Jane's World Air Forces , Russia has approximately 200 MiG-31s in service that it is currently in the process of upgrading to keep them operational through to the 2030s. With the exception of Russia and now possibly Syria, only Kazakhstan flies the type. COMMENTUntil the arrival of the MiG-31s in Damascus is confirmed, it should be treated with an element of scepticism. With the regime of Bashar al-Assad finding itself increasingly hard-pressed on the ground, it has to be noted that a state-of-the-art high-altitude interceptor is probably of limited use right now. The delivery has been linked to Western proposals for a no-fly buffer zone to be established over Syria, but while the MiG-31s would certainly give NATO planners pause for thought, their small number and single basing location would mean that they would likely be destroyed in the early hours of any alliance effort to establish air dominance over the country ahead of implementing such a no-fly zone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
B52STRATO 215 Posted August 17, 2015 (edited) Interesting to know. But as it's mentioned, what these interceptors would make here ? Tickle the Turks and their Terminator 2020 or replace some of their aging MiG-25s ? Plus will the specialists from these MiGs homeland come along them ? Edited August 17, 2015 by B52STRATO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Atreides 144 Posted August 18, 2015 Great news. I truly hope some TuAF F-16's or F-4's get blown to bits. **** Turkey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emp_Palpatine 501 Posted August 18, 2015 More frogfoots could be more usefull. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Brain32 265 Posted August 18, 2015 (edited) Too little too late. Syria would profit far more from Su-25/39 and Mi-24/35, they need AT weapons. By AT I mean Anti-Terrorist Edited August 18, 2015 by Brain32 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
