Group : High-Speed Interceptors
Status : Active
Also Known As : Foxhound, Mig-31B, Mig-31D, Mig-31DM, Mig-31DZ, Mig-31E (export model), Mig-31M, Mig-31S
Origin : Russia
Contractors : Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, Sokol
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : May 6, 1981
First Flight : September 16, 1975
Total Production : 500

The Mig-31 is able to intercept and destroy high and low altitude targets day and night, in all-weather conditions, in active and passive jamming and clutter environment. The SBI-16 Zaslon electronically scanned phased array radar, RP-31E phased array radar on Mig-31E export model, is the core of the Mig-31 weapons system providing detection and tracking of up to 10 targets with 4 simultaneous engagements. A wide variety of air-to-air missiles and built-in 23mm multi-barrel cannon enable the Mig-31 to perform a threat kill at long, medium, short, and close ranges including cruise missiles flying at low altitudes. A group of four interceptors, exchanging information between them, is capable of providing coverage of an area of 800 kilometers wide. Other Soviet-made aircraft types can exchange data and interoperate with Mig-31s. The aircraft can also be controlled by ground operators.

In 1984 the Soviet Union started the development of an upgraded variant known as the Mig-31M. Six prototypes were built including some of them fitted with wingtips Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pods. Nevertheless the Mig-31M modernization program was never completed due to the collapse of the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, the Mig-31 was also intended to destroy low-orbit satellite using an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon with the Mig-31D/Mig-31DZ variant developed for that purpose carrying the 79M6 missile interceptor. The upgraded Mig-31DM was expected to carry the 95M6 missile. A Russian-Kazakhstan aerospace system called Ishim was intended for placing small satellites into orbit deployed onboard the Mig-31S. The upgraded MiG-31 aircraft is supposed to be used as the carrier in such system. With over 500 aircraft produced in the 1980s only 200 to 300 remain serviceable with the Russian Air Force in a configuration known as the Mig-31B. Less than half of those aircraft should undergo upgrading to the Mig-31BM standard by 2020 with the remaining aircraft being retired from active service.

Group : High-Speed Interceptors
Status : Active
Also Known As : Mig-31BSM
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : April 2014
First Flight : 2008
Total Production : ?

The Mig-31BM is an upgraded version featuring improved air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities with the inclusion of Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) using anti-radiation missiles. It is fitted with upgraded avionics and digital data links, a new Zaslon-M multimode radar, color multi-function cockpit displays, and a new, more powerful computer. As of August 2010, the Russian Air Force plans call for the upgrade of 80 Mig-31 interceptors to the Mig-31BM standard by 2020. These aircraft will be equipped with R-73 short-range air-to-air missile, R-77 medium range air-to-air missile, R-33S and K-37M long-range air-to-air missiles as well as the latest Kh-31 anti-radiation missile. The new multimode radar is able to track up to 24 targets at ranges of up to 320 kilometers and engage eight of them simultaneously.

Group : Attack Aircrafts
Status : Active
Also Known As : Mig-31BP
Origin : Russia
Contractor : Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2017
Total Production : ?

The Russian Air Force Mig-31K, also known as Mig-31BP, is a further variant of the Mig-31BM developed to release special weapons such as the Kh-47B Kinzhal hypersonic cruise missile. In September 2018 rumors emerged that the Mig-31 interceptor might be used to launch a new anti-satellite weapon with the aircraft variant involved with the new weapon being the Mig-31BP. The aircraft itself has no under wing pylons attached and may be provided with state-of-the-art navigation equipment for optimal release of special weapons and payloads.

Group : High-Speed Interceptors
Status : Active
Origin : Russia
Contractors : Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG, Sokol
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : August 2022
First Flight : November 2021
Total Production : ?

The Mig-31I is a new variant intended to deliver the Kinzhal aero-ballistic missile as well as to perform as the carrier for an anti-satellite weapon. The airframe was modified by Sokol replacing aging fuselage parts while adding new avionics. The existence of the new super interceptor was revealed in the late November 2021 but the Mig-31I designation was not known yet. The Mig-31I could feature great improvements in terms of speed and flight altitude compared with the Mig-31BM. The new aircraft is said to be threefold more effective than the existing Mig-31. Besides, this move seems to confirm the development of a new and more ambitious hypersonic aircraft under the Mig-50 designation and the cancellation of the Mig-41 supersonic interceptor.

The Russian Air Force Mig-31I was deployed for the first time in August 2022 in the Kaliningrad region carrying Kinzhal missiles.