MOSCOW. March 12 (Interfax) - The upgraded long-range fighter-interceptor aircraft MiG-31BM practiced destroying mock enemy in the stratosphere during practice flights over the Russian part of the Arctic, the Northern Fleet stated on Tuesday.
"The role of an airspace intruder was also played by a MiG-31. It simulated violation of the Russian airspace at a supersonic speed in lower layers of the stratosphere. Two MiG-31BMs were scrambled to intercept the high-altitude air target," the statement said.
The crews operated on altitudes of over 17,000 meters and at speeds of around 2,200 kilometers per hour, the fleet said.
"The pilots successfully intercepted the mock enemy by simulating long-range missile launches. To make the combat-training mission more complicated, the crews operated on their own, without ground-based air defense."
After the drill all crews returned to their air base in Murmansk region.
In February the Fleet said that its mixed air force regiment had received ten upgraded MiG-31BMs since December.