Syria gets new MiG-31Es and MiG-35s

[Feanor]

And we have some confirmation that Syria has indeed signed contracts for the MiG-31E, and the MiG-29M, whose production was due to start this year (something that left me puzzled as at the time of that announcement it had no contracts). It seems that the MiG-29M deliveries have either begun or will begin soon, as DID says the contract has come into effect.

Syria Buying $1 billion in Russian Weapons

 

[parvas24]

Was potent. In it's time. Right now it's badly outdated and needs to either be heavily (incredibly heavily) modernized, or better yet replaced entirely. Yet the PAK-FA isn't even intended to replace it. And even that is questionable, since the MoD has intentions to purchase the MiG-35 to replace the MiG-29, and as of right now only 250 PAK-FA are planned.

This will leave the MiG-31 in service well past the 2025 timeframe. Unless something radically changes. Still no export potential though. Especially to places like Syria or Iran.

PAK - FA is a India- Russia project ... doubt if they are going to sell that fighter to other countries ... Sukhoi will develop a similar aircraft for international sales but that will take sometime .... and if Syria waits so long it will have a depleted airforce.... best choice is to go for the SU - 35 if they can get rightaway ......

 

[Ozzy Blizzard]

And we have some confirmation that Syria has indeed signed contracts for the MiG-31E, and the MiG-29M, whose production was due to start this year (something that left me puzzled as at the time of that announcement it had no contracts). It seems that the MiG-29M deliveries have either begun or will begin soon, as DID says the contract has come into effect.

Syria Buying $1 billion in Russian Weapons

Interesting. I think the MiG-29M is a good buy but I’m not sold on the MiG-31E. I think it's a gigantic waste of money and trying to fulfil a role it wasn’t designed for. Any idea why they didn’t go for Flankers?

 

[Ibizan Hound]

And we have some confirmation that Syria has indeed signed contracts for the MiG-31E, and the MiG-29M, whose production was due to start this year (something that left me puzzled as at the time of that announcement it had no contracts). It seems that the MiG-29M deliveries have either begun or will begin soon, as DID says the contract has come into effect.

Syria Buying $1 billion in Russian Weapons

Like I said when I first told you as far as "proof." If a person cares enough to know they'll try to find out themselves. Now you're agreeing that they are getting them.

 

[Feanor]

Interesting. I think the MiG-29M is a good buy but I’m not sold on the MiG-31E. I think it's a gigantic waste of money and trying to fulfil a role it wasn’t designed for. Any idea why they didn’t go for Flankers?

Politics and logistics. Flanker production lines are full. Also Syrians already fly older Fulcrums. The MiG-31E is offered on a trade-in scheme for the Foxbats. I suspect they will be used as high-altitude recon birds, and were chosen because with the trade-in scheme they're very cheap. They also come from existing factory stock rather then new builds, so politically and economically it makes sense to dump the airframes while they're still worth something.