Russias Defense Ministry has signed a 30 billion ruble ($630 million) contract with a major state-owned aircraft manufacturer to modernize over 50 of its high-speed MiG-31 interceptor jets, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. The move comes amid a 20 trillion ruble ($500 billion) ongoing state rearmament program and rising tensions over Ukraine that have seen Russian jets repeatedly test the boundaries of NATO airspace in recent months. The armed forces will receive over 50 modernized MiG-31s by the end of 2018, RIA quoted Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov as saying Thursday. The modernization will be carried out by Russias largest aircraft manufacturer, United Aircraft Corporation. The MiG-31 is a classic Soviet aircraft. Designed in the 1970s as a follow on to the MiG-25 supersonic interceptor jet, the plane is a supersonic bomber killer. Source: themoscowtimes/business/article/russia-s-mig-31-fighter-force-to-get-630-million-upgrade/511970.html
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 02:26:59 +0000
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