Englobed in the most recent naval exercise conducted by the Russian Navy in the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean, the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) also made their presence felt with the deployment of their MiG-31I interceptor fighters. The particularity of the presence of these combat aircraft lies in the confirmation that they conducted multiple flights equipped with Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.
Since the beginning of the month, and following the fall of the city of Aleppo to rebel forces opposing the Syrian regime, the Russian Armed Forces conducted a show of force with naval maneuvers in the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation detailed the significant deployment of air-naval assets in the Eastern Mediterranean, confirming the participation of the Russian Navy with a total of 10 ships, 24 aircraft, and 1,000 personnel, highlighting the presence of Admiral Gorshkov-class and Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, as well as a Kilo II-class attack submarine.
However, one of the most critical aspects of the naval exercises was the launch of Zircon missiles by the Admiral Gorshkov frigates, as well as the firing of Kalibr and Onyx cruise missiles, the latter deployed from Bastion coastal defense systems.
In statements issued by the Ministry and published on Telegram: “On December 3, during an exercise to test the combined activities of the Navy and Air Force groups, precision missiles were launched from the sea in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea (…) During preparations for the exercise, the number of Russian Armed Forces troops in the Eastern Mediterranean was increased.”
Nonetheless, the exercise also had a joint character, as evidenced by the confirmed presence of Russian Aerospace Forces assets. Specifically, the deployment of MiG-31I interceptor fighters equipped with Kh-47 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles was confirmed. Various videos published by media outlets showed the preparation of these aircraft, including the loading of their respective armaments and overflights above combat ship formations in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defense: “The exercise involves over 1,000 personnel, 10 ships and support vessels, 24 aircraft, including MiG-31I fighters of the Russian Aerospace Forces equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, and a crew of the Bastion coastal defense system.”
As has been observed in recent months and years, despite the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, the Russian Armed Forces continue to carry out various deployments in regions of strategic interest for Moscow. These joint maneuvers, along with the confirmed use of various types of missiles, aim to send a deterrent message to rival powers and NATO, which has deployed units to monitor Russian activity in the region. Despite setbacks in Syria, including the fall of Aleppo to rebel forces, Russia once again adopts an approach intended to showcase the strength of its military apparatus in an area that hosts its primary naval operations base in Tartus, a key hub for projecting power into the Mediterranean.
Finally, regarding the MiG-31I aircraft deployed by the VKS, these represent one of the latest iterations of the interceptor developed by Mikoyan. These aircraft have been given a new lease on life as platforms for launching hypersonic missiles, with projections indicating they will remain in service well into the 2030s. Among the enhancements introduced in this variant, derived from the MiG-31K, are in-flight refueling capabilities, new avionics systems, and updated fly-by-wire controls, to name a few of their new features.
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