A Russian MiG-31 above the clouds. Image: Russian Ministry of Defense
Russia is set to create two squadrons of MiG-31 interceptor aircraft in the Monchegorsk airbase in the northern region of Murmansk until the end of 2019.
The Russian military is reportedly going to turn these two squadrons into an aviation regiment in order to strengthen its Northern Fleet. According to reports, MiG-31 interceptor aircraft will carry out patrols in the Arctic region.
It should be noted that MiG-31 fighter jets are being used by the Russian military to carry out Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. It is known that Kinzhal’s top speed is in the neighborhood of Mach 10, or over 12,000 km/h, its combat range is about 2000 km, while flight trajectory carries it to altitudes of 50-80km above the Earth’s surface.
The Kinzhal missile was among several state-of-the-art weapon systems revealed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 1, 2018:
