The
Russian Defense Ministry is to base MiG-31 long-range interceptors at the
Rogachyovo Arctic base on the island of Novaya Zemlya by the end of the year to
defend against attack from the north, Izvestia reported on Tuesday quoting
military sources.
"The
MiG-31 squadron will be the main element of Russia's developing anti-missile
defense system - the MiG-31 is capable of intercepting not only strike
aircraft, but also cruise missiles with nuclear warheads from the Barents Sea
to the shores of the Laptev Sea," the source said.
Military
analyst Anatoly Tsyganok says the MiG-31BM has a range of 900 miles (1,450 km)
on internal fuel, which can be extended to 3,355 miles (5,400 km) with
air-to-air refuelling.
Although
Russia does not have complete ground-based radar coverage across its northern
areas, he explained, the two-seat MiG-31 can intercept targets up to 124 miles
(200 km) away thanks to its advanced radar and long-range missiles.
The
MiG-31, the fastest fighter-interceptor in service anywhere in the world, has
recently been the subject of a comprehensive upgrade to MiG-31BM standard.
The
modernized version boasts upgraded avionics and digital data-links, a new
multimode radar, color multifunction cockpit displays, and a more powerful
fire-control system. It can simultaneously track up to 10 targets.
Earlier
this year, the Air Force said it was testing a new advanced air-to-air missile,
which aviation analysts told RIA Novosti was likely to be the K-37M (also known
as RVV-BD or AA-X-13 to NATO). This could be deployed on the MiG-31BM,
significantly enhancing its long-range interception performance against cruise
missiles.
An Air
Force representative said there will be no problem basing the advanced
supersonic MiGs on the frozen island, as the airfield has a good runway and a
full range of facilities for those based and living there, including their
families.
Russia
has based the 63 Fighter Squadron equipped with Sukhoi Su-27 fighters at
Rogachyovo since 1993.
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