Confirmed: Russia to supply MiG-31 fighters to Syria
This is bad news. In a deal that could alter the balance of power in our region, the Russian newspaper Kommersant is confirming that Russia has agreed to supply MiG-31 fighter jets to Syria. The Russians had previously denied there was an agreement. The jets have not yet been delivered, although MiG-29 jets are being delivered. Kommersant cited the head of Russia's state-run United Aircraft Corporation, Alexei Fyodorov, as saying a 2007 contract to sell MiG-31E [pictured. CiJ] interceptor fighters to Syria has not entered into force.Israeli officials claim not to be surprised by the report and say that the MiG-31 constitutes a threat to the Israeli Air Force.
The paper said Russian arms sales officials have denied such a contract exists.
The speedy MiG-31E can fire simultaneously at several targets up to 180 kilometers away. Deliveries to Syria would be liable to alter the balance of power in the region.
Kommersant cited Fyodorov as saying a contract to provide Syria with Mig-29M fighters is being implemented.
State arms sales company Rosoboronexport declined to comment on the report.
Three months ago, the Russians allegedly agreed to cancel the MiG-31 sale in exchange for Israel selling them unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's). I guess that deal is now off the table.
That ought to put the last nail in the coffin of Israel giving up the Golan. With the Syrians having real fighter jets again, Israel cannot give up the Golan Heights' early warning stations.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:59 PM
4 Comments:
Wikipedia reports(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-31) that the MiG-31's are comparable to F-15's and are a design from 1979. Syria has apparently only ordered 8 of them.
On one hand, were getting what we deserver for not backing up Georgia last year. We sold them up the river to keep Syria from getting those MiGs. Of course that deal negotiated by Tzipi Livni, you know it wouldn't stick
On the other hand, the inclusion of even a few F-35's into our air force more than offsets this Syrian gain. (F-22's would have been better)
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The F-16 and F-15s Israel have are a match for the MiG-31. It was built to shoot down bombers and cruise missiles, in the Middle East it'll only be good for taking pictures of the Golan, because its turn radius when it's going fast will be about half the length of Israel.
They are big, fast and with the radar signature of a B-52, the 31 isn't much of a threat.
methinks, Israeli systems are much superior to Russian ones. If we know the codes of these MIGs, the danger seems to be limited.
The Indian Air Force orders MIGs and has Israeli electronics installed directly afterwards....
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