Posted on Aug 21, 2015
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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.

COMMENT
Until 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.
http://www.janes.com/article/53660/syria-reportedly-receives-mig-31-interceptors-from-russia
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SSG Warren Swan
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Well it could be worse...they could've ordered the F-35
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
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SSG Warren Swan You made me shoot coffee out my nose.
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SSG Warren Swan
SSG Warren Swan
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SFC Mark Merino - Glad I got something right.
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SFC Mark Merino
SFC Mark Merino
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SSG Warren Swan - Don't sell yourself short. You are well known for your delivery of the classic zinger.
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PO2 Steven Erickson
PO2 Steven Erickson
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He shoots! HE SCORES!!!!
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SFC Mark Merino
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No skill sets. I'll put our aviators in P-51s and have complete air superiority in no time. They would have to use their own pilots like in Vietnam to get me nervous.
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TSgt Wepaons Director, Air Battle Manager Instructor
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I think we need to be careful to not underestimate the enemy too much. Sometimes lucky wins out over good. I agree that fighter pilot vs fighter pilot, its no contest. But a MiG-31 represents a threat to all the heavies that support combat operations - the C2ISR assets that coordinate and control the combat action. It only takes one good shot.

Now that Russia is putting their OWN fighters - SU-30s - along with other combat aircraft in theater, it definitely means we have to look at the situation carefully.
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Capt Richard I P.
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*Gasp* Russia sells arms to nations that disagree on policy with the US?!?!
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Syria reportedly receives MiG-31 interceptors from Russia
LCDR Deputy Department Head
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The thing I find most interesting about this is the supposed 2007 deal that Russia said never happened until right now. I think it is an excuse to sell off surplus aircraft that are in rough shape. It will be interesting to see how "operational" they are.
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SGT Jeremiah B.
SGT Jeremiah B.
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It's also possibly a stand-off gesture aimed at the West. MiG-31's are dangerous. They make US air superiority just a little riskier.

At least until we shot them down.
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SN Greg Wright
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Ehhh so what. I'd put any western pilot against a Syrian one any day of the week, in most any fighter platform. Just my opinion.
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PO1 John Miller
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So they're flying 30+ year old jets?
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MAJ Security Cooperation Planner
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F-15 is 43
A-10 is 43
F-16 is 41
F-18 is 32
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 John Miller
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So they are all over 30 years old.
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SGT William Howell
SGT William Howell
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Yeah but the MiG31 was never meant to be anything other than interceptor. It has no real use in the Middle East.
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MAJ Security Cooperation Planner
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MSgt Jack DeYoung I agree with all you said. I just hate blanket statements about system age.
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MAJ(P) G9
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Outside of trying to resist establishment of a no fly zone someday, I can't see much use for these aircraft in the Syrian arsenal. IS doesn't have an AF.
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SGT Damaso V Santana
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They just take a long time to make...
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LTC Owner
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Doesn't Syria have air dominance? If you own the sky, why would you purchase interceptors, unless they are expecting/planning for a future battle/conflict.
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MCPO Roger Collins
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Time for some more red paint to draw a line. Seriously, read this. We are going to have issues, soon.

http://in.rbth.com/blogs/2014/10/12/why_the_f-35_is_a_sitting_duck_for_the_flankers_38959

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4597645,00.html
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