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MIG-31 Fighter Jet

MIG-31 Fighter Jet

Manufacturer: Mikoyan
Category: Fighter Jets
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Generation 4th / 4++ (interceptor)
Maximum Speed ~Mach 2.83 at altitude
No. of Engines 2
Radar Range ~200 km (early) to ~320‑400 km (upgraded)

Full Specifications

General Information

Name	MiG‑31 Foxhound
Manufacturer	Mikoyan Design Bureau
Country of Origin	Soviet Union (Russia)
Type / Role	Supersonic long-range interceptor
Generation	4th / 4++ interceptor
Status	In service (Russia)
First Flight	1975 (prototype)
Introduction / In Service Since	1981
Number Built	~500+ airframes
Operators	Russia, Kazakhstan (limited)

Dimensions & Structure

Length	22.67 m
Wingspan	13.46 m
Height	6.15 m
Wing Area	6.15 m
Empty Weight	21,820 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	46,200 kg
Internal Weapons Bay	None
External Hardpoints	Up to 8

Performance

Maximum Speed	~Mach 2.83
Range	~3,000 km
Combat Radius	720–1,450 km
Service Ceiling	~25,000 m
Rate of Climb	~288 m/s
Thrust-to-Weight Ratio	~0.85
G Limits	Up to 5 g

Powerplant

Engine Type	Soloviev D-30F6 turbofan
No. of Engines	2
Thrust (each)	~152 kN (with afterburner)
Thrust Vectoring	None
Fuel Capacity	~16,130 kg internal

Armament

Gun	1 × GSh‑6‑23 23 mm rotary cannon (800 rounds)
Missiles (Air-to-Air)	4 × R‑33 (AA‑9 “Amos”), upgraded variants carry R‑37M
Missiles (Air-to-Ground)	Limited / optional (MiG‑31K variant can carry Kinzhal)
Bombs	Rare / not primary role
Hardpoints	Up to 8 external pylons
Payload Capacity	~3,000 kg external

Avionics & Systems

Radar	Zaslon‑A / M / AM PESA
Radar Range	~200–400 km (upgraded versions)
Electronic Warfare (EW) System	RWR, IRST, datalinks
Targeting System	Track-while-scan, multi-target
Helmet Display	Standard instrumentation
Navigation	Inertial, radio navigation
Autopilot / AI Assistance	Basic autopilot
Communication	Secure datalink networked flights

Stealth & Technology

Radar Cross Section (RCS)	Large / non-stealth
Stealth Features	None
Infrared Signature Reduction	Minimal
Sensor Fusion	Basic, modernized variants improved
Networking Capabilities	Yes, via datalink

Variants

Special Export Versions

Operational History

Major Conflicts / Deployments	Cold War air‑defence patrols in Arctic & Far East; more recently deployed in Ukraine theatre and border incursions (Zona Militar)
Notable Operators	Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) primarily; smaller numbers with Kazakhstan
Combat Proven?	Not widely reported in air‑to‑air combat, but remains a strategic asset and involved in high‑alert missions
Mission Types	High‑altitude interception, cruise missile defense, long‑range patrol, “mini‑AWACS” support

Cost & Program

Unit Cost	Not publicly disclosed for recent blocks (US$ terms)
Development Cost	Soviet era, undisclosed
Program Name	MiG‑31 Foxhound interceptor program
Funding Countries	Soviet Union / Russia

Additional Information

Upgrades Planned	Continued modernization of remaining airframes; upgrade to BM/BSM standard; potential replacement programme → MiG‑41 (future) (Armijai)
Future Replacement	MiG‑41 (in planning) as next‑generation high‑altitude interceptor
Export Restrictions	Very limited export; export version MiG‑31E offered but minimal foreign uptake (Defense Magazine)
Notable Achievements	First fighter to incorporate a PESA radar; ability to patrol remote air‑space and serve as network node
Competitors	Western interceptors/air‑defense fighters – e.g., F‑14 Tomcat (retired), future high‑altitude intercept designs

Our Rating

The overall rating is based on review by our experts

7.6

Technology 7 / 10
Performance 7 / 10
Firepower 8 / 10
Range & Endurance 8 / 10
Reliability & Maintenance 8 / 10

PROS

Exceptional high‑altitude speed and climb performance for area interception.
Long‑range radar (Zaslon series) enabling beyond‑visual‑range detection.
Two‑seat crew architecture with dedicated weapons systems operator.
Integrated datalink/networking capability for coordinated patrols.
Adaptable to carry new missiles/hypersonic weapons in newer variants.

CONS

Limited manoeuvrability (design emphasises speed over dog‑fight agility).
High fuel consumption and operational cost relative to more modern fighters.
Aging airframes and finite production numbers constrain long‑term replaceability.
Reliant on older-generation avionics in many units, with upgrade backlog.
Export restrictions and ecosystem limited outside Russia (reducing interoperability).

MiG-31 Foxhound Interceptor Jet

The MiG‑31 Foxhound commands attention as one of the few supersonic interceptors still in frontline use, designed during the Cold War to seize control of vast air‑spaces and deny strategic bombers and cruise missiles at distance. Developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau in the Soviet Union, this two‑seat, twin‑engine platform entered service in the early 1980s and remains relevant for U.S. defense‑watchers analyzing high‑end Russian aviation capabilities.

Manufacturer & Origin

Manufactured by Mikoyan in the Soviet Union (now Russia), the MiG‑31 was conceived as the evolution of the MiG‑25 “Foxbat” but with greater endurance, avionics sophistication and a true area‑defense interceptor role.

Purpose & Major Capabilities

Its primary mission: high‑speed interception of strategic bombers, cruise missiles and other intruders in remote air‑spaces where ground‑radar coverage is thin. The MIG-31 Fighter Jet uses its PESA radar — the Zaslon series — to detect targets at very long range, share data with other aircraft via secure datalinks and guide long‑range air‑to‑air missiles. With a top speed around Mach 2.83 at high altitude and Mach 1.23 at low levels, the platform prioritizes speed and reach over agile dog‑fighting.

Range, Speed, Armament & Technology

Powered by two Soloviev D‑30F6 afterburning turbofans, the MiG‑31 can undertake long‑patrol missions across hundreds of kilometres. Its radar enables tracking up to 24 targets and engaging up to eight simultaneously in modernized variants. Armament includes the long‑range R‑33 (AA‑9 “Amos”) missiles designed for defending against large, fast targets at ranges up to 120‑160 km. The aircraft also carries a 23 mm GSh‑6‑23 cannon and multiple external hardpoints for additional missiles or fuel.

Operational Use

For a U.S.‑focused audience, the MIG-31 Fighter Jet represents a strategic wake‑up call: an interceptor capable of patrolling across Russia’s vast territory, launching beyond‑visual‑range engagements, network‑linking with other aircraft and serving as a “mini‑AWACS” within its formation. Its sustained in‑service life and upgrade programs (MiG‑31BM/BSM) underline Russia’s emphasis on area‑denial and high‑altitude interception.

(FAQs) – MIG-31 Fighter Jet

Is MiG‑31 better than F-22?

The MiG‑31 and F‑22 serve different roles. The MiG‑31 is a high-speed, long-range interceptor designed to patrol vast territories and engage multiple high-altitude targets, while the F‑22 Raptor is a stealth air superiority fighter optimized for agility, dogfighting, and low-observable penetration. In terms of speed and radar range, MiG‑31 excels; for stealth, maneuverability, and multi-role combat, F‑22 outperforms.

How many MiG‑31 does Russia have?

Russia operates approximately 115–120 MiG‑31s in various configurations, including modernized MiG‑31BM and MiG‑31K variants. Older models continue to be upgraded under modernization programs.

Is the MiG‑31 a good fighter?

Yes. The MiG‑31 is highly effective in its interceptor role. Its strengths include extremely high speed (Mach 2.83+), long-range radar (Zaslon series), ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously, and long operational range. However, it is less maneuverable in close-range dogfights compared to modern air superiority fighters.

Was the MiG‑31 better than the F-15?

The MiG‑31 and F‑15 are comparable in some aspects but serve slightly different purposes. The F‑15 is versatile with excellent maneuverability and multi-role capability, while the MiG‑31 focuses on long-range interception and high-altitude patrol. Against strategic bombers or cruise missiles at extreme ranges, MiG‑31 holds an advantage.

MiG‑31 fighter jet top speed

The MiG‑31 can reach a top speed of approximately Mach 2.83 at high altitudes. At lower altitudes, speed decreases to around Mach 1.23 due to aerodynamic and engine limitations.

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