IAF invited to gauge MiG-31 performance

By Rasheed Kappan

BANGALORE, FEB. 13. Keen to clinch a potential deal on the MiG-31 supersonic fighter- interceptor aircraft upgrades, the MiG Russian Aircraft Corporation has invited the Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel to gauge the aircraft's performance in real flight and combat situations. Upgrades of the aircraft, now attached exclusively to the Russian Air Force, were cleared for export in 1998.

Since the aircraft was developed around the MiG-25 (a fighter now in operation with the IAF), its new variant should definitely interest the IAF, corporation officials told The Hindu. ``It is the best interceptor aircraft available with the Russian Air Force. Besides, Indian pilots have already got a feel of the aircraft, when they visited the MiG factory some years ago,'' they said.

The MiG Corporation had been granted permission by the Russian Government to market the aircraft to India and other countries. Besides India, the aircraft's potential buyers include the Chinese Air Force (CAF) and the Libyan Air Force (LAF).

The MiG-31 is designed to intercept and destroy high and low- altitude manoeuvring air targets in front and rear hemispheres, in look-up and look-down, VMC and IMC, day and night, in the passive and active jamming combat environment.

The aircraft also provides facilities for vectoring up to three fighters of the types, MiG-21-93, MiG-23, MiG-25, MiG-29 and Sukhoi-27, to ensure a covert attack. ``The MiG-31 can be an interceptor of cruise missiles and of targets at any speed and any altitude. The aircraft has a very small reaction time with speed touching 3,000 kmph.,'' the officials said.

The upgraded MiG-31 E version is equipped with an enhanced airborne radar and more powerful armament. The upgrade is designed to carry six long-range missiles under fuselage on semi- buried attachment points and highly manoeuvrable RVV-AE medium- range missiles on underwing attachment points. The aircraft would also be able to engage cruise missiles against the earth background.

It has been estimated that the fighter's performance would improve by nearly 2.5 times over the original version, according to a recent analysis by Arms Market, released by the World Weapons Market Analysis Centre (WWMAC). ``The main feature of the MiG-31 export version is its capability to guide other aircraft onto targets. On customer's request, the fighter may be fitted with both Russian and foreign avionics and engines,'' the analysis said.

The MiG Corporation, along with the aircraft plant, Sokol, and Rosoboronexport, was involved in the MiG-31 upgradation programme.

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