Russia Debates Restart of MiG-31 Production

[Yusuf]

If Russia does get MiG31s back, we should order a few. India did fly MiG25 into Pak at high speed and let them know our capabilities a long time back. We really have a gap to fill.

 

[JBH22]

So in essence, there is scope for a MiG31 in IAF.

Great Article on MIG-25 in IAF "The MIGnificient Flying Machines", to this date it remains imho Shiv Aroor best article.
Main Reason for retiring MIG-25

Predictably, it is now exorbitantly expensive and time-consuming to maintain the Foxbats. With the Russians no longer supplying spares and claiming to have done away with all blueprints, any more reverse engineering by the technicians at the Bareilly airbase is plainly uneconomical.

The MIGnificient Flying Machines - The MiG-25 - Shiv Aroor [www.bharat-rakshak.com]

MIG-31 is a very good plane a squadron of these baby can cover whole North East region,but then with all economic resources diverted to SU-30MKI its not feasible to add to the logistic burden of IAF.

We don't need another "Gorshkov" episode, but I agree its a good plane

 

[pmaitra]

We don't need another "Gorshkov" episode, but I agree its a good plane

We can buy the entire MiG-25 manufacturing line, along with full ToT. I believe swing-wing aircraft have a future, as we could develop/design our own homegrown swing-wing fighters based on our experience.

 

[JBH22]

We can buy the entire MiG-25 manufacturing line, along with full ToT. I believe swing-wing aircraft have a future, as we could develop/design our own homegrown swing-wing fighters based on our experience.

First thing MIG-25 is a not a swing wing plane and why should we buy an outdated plane like Mig-25?

 

[pmaitra]

First thing MIG-25 is a not a swing wing plane and why should we buy an outdated plane like Mig-25?

Sorry, when I wrote that, I was thinking of MiG-27, which we had operated at some point, and I was thinking of this one: http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/military-multimedia/50960-not-deservedly-forgotten-mig-23-a.html

"Swing-wing" was swinging in my head.

 

[Austin]

Here is the official account of Mig-31 production debate that took place in Russian Duma

In the State Duma discussed the prospects of the MiG-31
Журнал Взлёт : В Госдуме обсудили перспективы МиГ-31

April 11, 2013 in the State Duma of the Russian Federation on the initiative of the State Duma Committee on Defense and the Communist Party faction parliamentary hearings on the use of air combat systems interception based on the MiG-31 for aerospace defense of the country and to consider the renewal of their mass production. The hearing was attended by deputies of the State Duma, representatives of the military-industrial complex of the Russian Government, the Security Council, the Ministry of Defense, the military-industrial complex. Invitations were extended and the media.

The reason for the hearing was the designated representatives of the parliamentary faction of the Communist Party problem failure of the currently active state in the Russian Air Force group of fighter-interceptor MiG-31 and received in connection with this proposal for the resumption of normal production of these aircraft and engines for them discontinued in the early 90 - ies.

In the course of discussion, most of the active participants in the hearings have concluded that it is crucial problems of preserving and increasing group of fighter-interceptor-range to provide protection for aerospace borders Russia. However, the number of speakers, including Russian Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Viktor Bondar, questioned the feasibility of resuming serial production of the MiG-31 in its current form, given the enormous costs of the organization is essentially "from scratch" lost over the years, a number of production systems and components. Instead, it was proposed to continue the ongoing modernization of front-line aircraft on the MiG-31BM, and in the future to consider the possibility of creating a new set of military aircraft to intercept long-range, able to solve similar problems on a new technological level.

Has not been confirmed, and the need to resume serial production of the D-30F6 to maintain the park in flying condition MiG-31: as stated at the hearing, General Designer of the Permian of "Aircraft Engine" Alexander Inozemtsev of almost 1,500 made at the time this type of engine, about 700 currently in storage with high residual resource and can be repaired and returned to the state of airworthiness at relatively low cost.
According to the Commander of the Air Force Lieutenant General Viktor Bondarev today in flight operations has 122 fighter-interceptor MiG-31 of various modifications, and all, according to a member of the Military-Industrial Commission under the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Chestnut within the Air Force has about 300 of these aircraft. Thus, no less than 150 interceptors are in storage, and after repairs and upgrades can be returned to service.

General Director of the RAC "MiG" Sergei Korotkov, in turn, said that in the years of production of the MiG-31 from 1976 to 1992. was made of 519 aircraft, including 349 basic version of the machine (up to 1988), 101 modified MiG-31DZ with the in-flight refueling (in 1988-1990.) and 69 modernized MiG-31B (in 1991-1992. ). Part of the previously released version interceptor base in the early 90's. has been upgraded by the type of MiG-31B (but without the introduction of in-flight refueling), receiving the name of the MiG-31BS.

In the middle of the last decade has started the modernization of MiG-31B on the MiG-31BM, providing for improving the management of arms "curtain" with a phased array radar (development NIIP them. Vladimir Tikhomirov) and the introduction of the new weapons interceptor missiles "air to-air "big, medium and short range (the Corporation" Tactical Missiles "). In 2011, the KLA has received a contract from the Defense Ministry to upgrade 60 aircraft combatant on the MiG-31BM. As stated at the hearing Sergey Korotkov, to date, been upgraded in this way, "the order of 50 aircraft," MiG-31B. The upgraded MiG-31BM already operating at air bases in Savasleyka, Monchegorsk and Kansk. This year, these aircraft will be in Perm (Big Savino).

According to the results of the parliamentary hearings adopted a number of recommendations to the Government, the Military-Industrial Commission, the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Industry and Trade. The event participants were in favor of termination of the deposit of waste derived interceptor MiG-31 and the continuation of the planned program of modernization of existing aircraft of this type, as well as for the creation of a commission to address the issue of the modernization program should be expanded, or the resumption of production of new aircraft of this type. In addition, it was recommended to initiate development work in order to create the basis for the MiG-31 long-term aviation system to intercept the new flight characteristics and combat capabilities, able to detect and destroy current and foreseeable means of aerospace attack.

 

[Austin]

The Take Off site also has a good archive of past issues to download

Take-off Magazine : Take-off Magazine Archive 2005-2013

 

[WMD]

Sorry, when I wrote that, I was thinking of MiG-27, which we had operated at some point, and I was thinking of this one: http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/military-multimedia/50960-not-deservedly-forgotten-mig-23-a.html

"Swing-wing" was swinging in my head.

IAF still operates MiG-27 Bahadur.
MiG-23 was also in service with the IAF, but retired now.

 

[cobra commando]

MiG, Aviadvigatel Confirm
MiG-31 Development

Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG and Aviadvigatel have confirmed that work continues on "radical modernization" of the MiG-31 Foxhound, with the focus on extending the performance of the aging, out-of-production Mach 3 interceptor so that it can carry out not only air-defense duties but also serve the recently established VKO, the Russian acronym for the country's Air and Space Defense (Command). Under a directive from the Russian defense ministry, RAC MiG is working on new versions of the aircraft more capable than the current MiG-31BM. Speaking to AIN at the Engines-2014 exposition held April 15 to 17 in Moscow, Aleksander Inozemtsev, executive director and general designer at the Aviadvigatel aero-engine design house, said that although the MiG-31 has been in service for more than a quarter century, "it remains a unique weapon; no other country possesses anything of the kind." He described the aircraft as "the world's only interceptor that can loiter for a very long time while on airspace patrol thanks to the low fuel consumption of the Aviadvigatel D30-F6 bypass turbojet, which enables the airplane to accelerate to 3,000 kilometers per hour [1,620 knots/1,864 mph] when attacking an aerial target."
The Russian government has decided to support MiG-31 development and modernization following heated discussions in parliament and the defense ministry's think-tank.

Read more here:
MiG, Aviadvigatel Confirm MiG-31 Development | Aviation International News

 

[charlie]

A nice documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UKe9eF56eo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5vqj92Syxk