Russia scrambled MiGs, Sukhois to track 27 foreign craft in last week

As per reports, twenty-seven foreign military aircraft were tracked by the Russian defence forces between September 21 and 26, 2019 prompting the authorities to scramble their MIGs and Sukhois. The Russian Defence Ministry stated that Aircrafts halted airspace violations and chased away the foreign aircraft. The MiG-29 was initially developed as a twin-engine close combat aircraft and has since long been upgraded as tough multirole jet capable of anti-air and anti-land attacks.

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The incidents

The Russian Defence Ministry said that the MiG-29, Sukhoi Su-27, Su-30 and Su-35 air combat aircraft halted the violation of the country's airspace and successfully chased away the foreign aircrafts. As per Russian media, 27 foreign aircraft were located conducting recce missions near Russia's extensive borders. The ministry stated that Russian pilots took-off at least 310 times from 75 military airbases through the country during the time period in their efforts to drive away the intruding jets. The Russian Aerospace Force in its fleet has MiG-29s, Su-27s, Su-30s and Su-35s fighters. 

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Details of the aircraft in Russia's squadrons

The MiG-29 was initially developed as a twin-engine close combat aircraft and has since long been upgraded as tough multirole jet capable of anti-air and anti-land attacks, and is also used by a number of other nations' air forces. The Sukhoi series of jets are twin-engine and are used for long-range air defences. The Su-27 can carry long-range patrol missions as well as escort heavy nuclear bomber aircraft like Tu-95 bear, Tu-22M Backfire and Tu-160 Blackjack. The two-person Su-30s and single-pilot Su-35s can undertake similar missions as Su-27 but can carry a heavier load and a longer range. The Indian Air Force also operates MiG-29UPG and  Su-30MKI combat aircraft while the Indian Navy has MiG-29K jets for the warship INS Vikramaditya. 

(With inputs from agencies) 

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