The Russian Aerospace Forces have received a new batch of MiG-31 fighter interceptors that were upgraded at the Nizhny Novgorod Aviation Plant "Sokol" of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), the defense firm told Sputnik on Wednesday.
"Modernization of MiG-31 aircraft is one of the main competencies and the most important activity of the Nizhny Novgorod Sokol Aircraft Building Plant in the UAC circuit," Yury Slyusar, General Director of the company said. "The enterprise fulfills its obligations to provide the Russian army with the necessary aviation equipment. In the future, work will continue as part of the execution of contracts for the current year."
Истребитель-перехватчик МИГ-31
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The UAC official emphasized that the upgrade didn't affect the flight performance of the warplanes. It remains the same as it was when these military jets were first inducted into service.
However, their combat capabilities have received a boost as additional features have been incorporated into them.
The UAC statement doesn't sepcify the variant of the MiG-31 that has been modernized.
In November 2021, when the Sokol plant was given the task of upgrading the MiG-31s, officials pointed out that following the modernization, the combat capabilities of these military jets would witness a three-fold rise.
At that stage, the staff at the plant had mentioned that the MIG-31s which were part of the modernization plan, would be upgraded to MiG-31BM level, the most advanced variant of the jet being extensively used in the special military operation.