MOSCOW. Feb 13 (Interfax-AVN) - An air regiment of Russia's Northern Fleet has received two modernized MiG-31 interceptor fighters, the fleet's press service said.
"Two MiG-31 fighter aircraft have joined a squadron of the Northern Fleet's independent mixed Air and Air Defense Forces regiment following modernization," the press service said.
The changes made to the planes' avionics and radio-electronic systems have significantly improved their tactical performance, he said.
"The regiment has received a total of eight such aircraft during the 2018-2019 winter training season, and they have already played a role in the flying personnel's planned combat practice," he said.
The MiG-31 is a long-range supersonic interceptor-fighter designed for conducting lengthy patrol missions and countering high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, strategic bombers, and low-flying targets. The aircraft is capable of simultaneously striking six aerial targets and tracking ten.
The MiG-31K modification was chosen to be the first carrier of Russia's hypersonic missile Kinzhal.