MiG-25 Foxbat Fighter Jet

Full Specifications

The MiG-25 Foxbat remains one of the most recognizable high-speed interceptor aircraft of the Cold War. Developed by the Soviet Mikoyan design bureau during the 1960s, it was designed primarily to intercept high-altitude bombers and reconnaissance aircraft while also serving in dedicated reconnaissance and strike roles. The aircraft first flew in 1964 and entered operational service in the early 1970s.

Manufacturer and Purpose

The MiG-25 was manufactured in the Soviet Union by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau, with production centered at the Gorky aircraft plant. Its large airframe, powerful engines, and high-temperature-resistant construction allowed it to operate at extreme speeds and altitudes.

The interceptor versions used the RP-25 Smerch-A radar and were normally armed with up to four R-40, NATO AA-6 Acrid, air-to-air missiles. Later MiG-25PD aircraft received improved radar and could also carry R-60 missiles.

Speed and Range

The MiG-25 could reach approximately Mach 2.83, or about 3,000 km/h, at high altitude. Its service ceiling was roughly 20,700 meters, while published range figures vary by configuration and mission profile. Some sources list a ferry range approaching 2,575 km.

The Foxbat was not designed as a modern multirole fighter. Its strengths were speed, altitude, acceleration, and interception. Reconnaissance versions carried cameras, electronic intelligence equipment, or side-looking radar, while the MiG-25BM specialized in suppressing enemy air defenses.

Cost and Price

A reliable official unit price is difficult to establish because the MiG-25 was developed and produced under the Soviet defense economy. Some secondary sources estimate historical unit costs at roughly $3 million to $5 million, but these figures should be treated as estimates rather than verified procurement prices.