5 Facts About the MiG-31: The Fastest Soviet Jet Still in Service
The Cold War era was defined by intense military rivalry between the Western Bloc—led by the United States and its NATO allies—and the Eastern Bloc, led by the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies.
One of the fiercest arenas of this competition was aerospace technology. Both sides raced to develop cutting-edge military aircraft that could dominate the skies. From the Eastern Bloc, one of the most iconic and fearsome supersonic fighter jets to emerge was the MiG-31, built by the renowned Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) Design Bureau. Designed for air dominance and long-range interception, the MiG-31 became a powerful symbol of Soviet aerial might and a serious threat to its Western adversaries.
The MiG-31 is still one of the fastest interceptor jets ever built—a legacy aircraft from the Soviet era that remains fully operational in the Russian and Kazakh air forces. As the direct successor to the MiG-25 Foxbat, the MiG-31 continues to see action, including in the skies over Ukraine. According to Plane Historia, its first prototype, the Ye-155MP, flew in 1975, entered production in 1979, and was officially deployed by the Soviet Air Defense Forces in 1982.
Armed with advanced radar and long-range missiles, the MiG-31 was originally designed to intercept high-speed U.S. aircraft like the now-retired SR-71 Blackbird, as well as strategic bombers like the B-52 Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer. Due to its massive size and intimidating presence, it earned the nickname "monster fighter."
Curious about this legendary Soviet interceptor? Here are 5 fascinating facts about the MiG-31 you need to know!
1. Codenamed “Foxhound” by NATO
The MiG-31 is officially known by its NATO reporting name: “Foxhound.” According to Forces News, NATO assigns specific code names to military aircraft and weapons systems to standardize identification and reduce confusion among multinational forces during communications, especially in joint operations or combat scenarios.
These code names are commonly used in radio communications to quickly describe aircraft type and origin. The MiG-31, for instance, was given the name Foxhound, emphasizing its role as a long-range interceptor—like a dog bred to hunt fast-moving prey. Similarly, other Soviet and Russian fighter jets have been assigned NATO reporting names, such as:
- Flanker for the Sukhoi Su-27
- Fencer for the Su-24
- Frogfoot for the Su-25
- Fulcrum for the MiG-29
- Felon for the Su-57, Russia’s latest stealth fighter
Unlike its Western rivals, which often feature sleeker, more aerodynamic designs, the MiG-31 embraces the rugged, imposing aesthetics typical of Soviet-era war machines. It has a massive airframe with sharp, utilitarian lines that project sheer power.
In terms of size, the MiG-31 is among the largest air superiority fighters ever built:
- Length: 22.69 meters
- Tail height: 6.15 meters
- Wingspan: 13.46 meters
- Maximum takeoff weight: 46,200 kg
To put that in perspective, it’s significantly larger than the U.S.-built F-15 Eagle, making the MiG-31 a true heavyweight in the skies.
2. Near-Mach 3 Speed: One of the Fastest Fighter Jets Ever
The MiG-31 is among the fastest combat aircraft in the world, with a top speed approaching Mach 3—roughly three times the speed of sound. According to The Aviationist, this twin-seat interceptor, crewed by a pilot and a weapons systems officer, can reach speeds of up to Mach 2.83 (around 3,000 km/h or 1,864 mph), operate at altitudes of up to 25,000 meters, and has a combat radius of approximately 1,450 kilometers.
Engineered specifically for long-range interception, the MiG-31 is capable of engaging hostile aircraft at both high and low altitudes, making it a versatile threat across the entire flight envelope.
While its predecessor, the MiG-25 Foxbat, was technically faster (with a top speed exceeding Mach 3.2), the MiG-31 was designed to address the Foxbat’s shortcomings, especially in low-altitude combat where the MiG-25 struggled. With upgraded avionics, reinforced airframe, and more capable engines, the MiG-31 offers balanced performance and reliability at all altitudes.
Over the years, the MiG-31 has repeatedly proven its interceptor role by shadowing or intercepting U.S. military aircraft approaching Russian airspace. Notable incidents include:
- April 2016: A Russian MiG-31 intercepted a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft flying over international waters near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula—a region known for its strategic submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) testing.
- March 2024: Over a three-day span, Russian MiG-31 jets scrambled multiple times to intercept U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers flying over the Barents Sea near Russian territory. The B-1B, known for its low-level penetration strike capabilities, was likely conducting high-profile strategic patrols.
These interceptions highlight the MiG-31’s enduring relevance as a high-speed interceptor, able to monitor and challenge foreign aircraft even in the most remote regions of Russian airspace.
3. Multiple MiG-31 Variants
Since its introduction, the MiG-31 has gone through multiple evolutions, resulting in several upgraded variants. These variants improve upon the original model in terms of avionics, weapons systems, and overall combat capability. According to Ultimatespecs, notable variants include: MiG-31, MiG-31M, MiG-31D, MiG-31 01DZ, MiG-31B, MiG-31E, MiG-31BS, MiG-31BM, MiG-31BSM, and MiG-31K.
Some of these variants were experimental or never entered full-scale production, such as the MiG-31E, which was designed for export based on the MiG-31B but was never built.
One of the most advanced versions is the MiG-31BM, a multirole upgrade featuring a powerful Zaslon phased-array radar. This radar can detect up to 24 targets from a distance of 320 km and simultaneously lock and engage 8 of them. The MiG-31BM also has the capability to intercept low-flying cruise missiles, making it a critical part of Russia’s air defense network.
When it comes to speed, the MiG-31 still holds an edge over many of its Western counterparts. For comparison:
- MiG-31: Mach 2.83
- F-15 Eagle: Mach 2.5
- F-22 Raptor: Mach 2.2
- F-35 Lightning II: Mach 1.6
These capabilities make the MiG-31 not only one of the fastest interceptors in service, but also one of the most advanced in its class, even decades after its first flight.
4. MiG-31 Variant as Hypersonic Missile Carrier
One of the MiG-31 variants, the MiG-31K, is a modified version of the MiG-31BM designed to carry the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, a hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile. The Kinzhal missile can reach speeds up to Mach 10, making it extremely difficult to intercept. It is the first hypersonic missile reportedly used in combat by Russia during the conflict in Ukraine and can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads.
Besides the Kinzhal, the MiG-31 can carry various air-to-air and air-to-surface weapons, including the long-range R-33 and R-37 missiles, the long-range anti-ship Kh-31, short-range infrared-guided R-60 missiles, and anti-radiation missiles. It is also equipped with a GSh-6-23 23mm cannon for close combat defense.
There are specialized variants like the MiG-31D and MiG-31(Izdeliye 08) designed to carry anti-satellite missiles, highlighting the MiG-31’s versatility in modern warfare.
5. Kazakhstan: The Only MiG-31 Operator Outside Russia
According to National Interest, approximately 519 MiG-31 aircraft have been produced, with 370 units currently operated by the Russian Air Force and about 30 units operated by the Kazakhstan Air Force. Kazakhstan remains the only country outside Russia to fly the MiG-31, inheriting the fleet from the Soviet Union after gaining independence following its collapse in 1991.
After the Soviet Union’s dissolution, the MiG-31 was offered to several countries. In 1992, just a year after the Soviet collapse, Russia’s post-Soviet defense industry proposed the MiG-31 to Finland, but the deal fell through, and Finland never acquired the aircraft.
Reports also suggest that Syria ordered 8 MiG-31E units in 2007 for its air force, but the order was suspended due to funding issues and ongoing military conflicts in the region. Military analysts believe the MiG-31 struggled in the export market because many countries prefer modern, agile multirole fighters capable of air dominance and ground attack missions.
Due to its large size, the MiG-31, although classified as a fighter jet, is considered less maneuverable in modern close-range dogfights and is primarily suited for long-range interception. Many experts doubt the MiG-31 can match the stealth capabilities and agility of the US Air Force’s F-22 Raptor in modern aerial combat.
During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia reportedly lost a total of 3 MiG-31s—1 due to an accident and 2 from Ukrainian military strikes.
The Aviationist notes that MiG-31 production ended in the early 1990s, but the aircraft has undergone upgrades to extend its service life into the 2030s. Until a replacement is ready, the MiG-31 continues its legendary role as one of the fastest tactical fighter jets still operational, defending Russian airspace.
Hopefully, this information enriches your knowledge about the MiG-31—an iconic Soviet-era fighter jet still active in combat today!
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