Syria reportedly receives MiG-31 interceptors from Russia

IHS Jane's — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:16:30 -0400

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

Syria reportedly receives MiG-31 interceptors from Russia - IHS Jane's 360

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

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 9:22 AM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:22:19 -0400

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.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 9:55 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:55:55 -0400

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.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 21 at 2015 9:56 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 09:56:39 -0400

So they're flying 30+ year old jets?

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 21 at 2015 10:05 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 10:05:02 -0400

Well it could be worse...they could've ordered the F-35

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 21 at 2015 12:51 PM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 12:51:01 -0400

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.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Sep 18 at 2015 11:32 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 11:32:36 -0400

Our F-22s are better.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 18 at 2015 11:38 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 11:38:35 -0400

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

Why the F-35 is a sitting duck for the Flankers

Outgunned by the Su-30 family of aircraft and suffering critical design flaws, the American F-35 is staring down the barrel of obsolescence – and punching a gaping hole in western air defences.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Sep 21 at 2015 11:25 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:25:46 -0400

*Gasp* Russia sells arms to nations that disagree on policy with the US?!?!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2015 1:15 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 13:15:47 -0400

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.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 30 at 2015 1:01 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 13:01:34 -0400

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.

Response by SGT Damaso V Santana made Jun 17 at 2016 5:14 PM

SGT Damaso V Santana — Fri, 17 Jun 2016 17:14:47 -0400

They just take a long time to make...