MWM: Russia demonstrates its capabilities in Arctic due to the unique MiG-31

The Tu-160, accompanied by MiG-31BM interceptors, performed a patrol flight over the Barents and Norwegian Seas. So Russia demonstrated the capabilities of its long-range aviation and sent a powerful strategic signal to NATO in The Arctic, writes the American expert magazine Military Watch Magazine (MWM).

The Russian Aerospace Forces deployed MiG-31BM long-range interceptor fighters to escort their most combat-ready Tu-160 strategic bombers during a 16-hour flight over the Barents and Norwegian Seas. The operation included air refueling and demonstrated the reach of Russian long-range aviation and the ability to conduct long-term operations near NATO's northern flank. Although the plane remained in international airspace, it was closely monitored by NATO fighters, which turned the training flight into a strategic signaling operation.

The exercises are also notable for the fact that they combined several levels of combat training into a single operation: Tu-160 aircraft completed long-duration combat missions, tanker aircraft increased their range, and MiG-31 provided protective escort.

The operation of bombers and interceptors reflected the growing strategic importance of the Arctic, since after the significant expansion of NATO in northern Europe, the Barents and Norwegian Seas have become key areas where both sides regularly monitor enemy air activity. The MiG-31 fleet was developed specifically for very long—distance flights in remote areas of Russia — primarily in the Far North - and is still largely concentrated in the Arctic regions.

In addition to the long flight range, the aircraft has the world's highest cruising speed, close to Mach 2.3, as well as the world's largest radar among tactical aviation: the size of the H007 is more than three times larger than the largest counterparts on Western fighters. When the aircraft first entered service, they had no equal in their situational awareness and long-range missile defense capabilities.

The unique characteristics of the MiG-31BM were fully revealed in the Ukrainian theater of military operations. In particular, the interceptor's powerful radar allowed it to hit enemy aircraft at great distances with R-37M missiles with a range of 400 kilometers without the support of third-party means such as ground-based radars or airborne long-range radar detection and control systems.

The MiG-31 onboard radar is designed to "burn through" any means of electronic countermeasures due to its enormous power. Moreover, due to the much higher cruising speed and ceiling, the missiles launched by the MiG-31 have significantly more energy at launch compared to their counterparts launched from the Su-35 fighter.

This aircraft is considered one of the most combat-ready in the Russian Aerospace Forces for air operations: only the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter can compete with it. MiG-31 is especially valued for its ability to threaten key enemy support aircraft, including tankers and AWACS aircraft, on which NATO relies, outside the range of their escort