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Originally posted by TSR2005
The more I hear about Libya and al-Gaddafi, the more I think he could be one of the west's best allies in that section of the world. After all, he was one of the first to openly comdem the 9/11 attacks. Too many people are still hooked on the past and should start reading more recent information about what going on over there. A lot has changed.
Libya in general is an ideal customer for the MiG-31, since they flew the MiG-25 for so many years. For just about any other air force, the -31 would be too complex for them and, well, bad things would happen. And given Libya has kept cool since the 1990's and has allowed inpectors full access to it's nuclear programs (as opposed to Iran), the purchase of a defence aircraft sure as this might just mean 'keeping up with the Jones'. I personally would not worry to much about it. Only worry if they go to North Korea or Iran.
Originally posted by waynos
The Russians considered a side by side two seater bomber variant during the evolution of the MiG 31 from the MiG 25 but it was not pursued as it would be inferior to the Su-24 Fencer.
Originally posted by planeman
I think people are missing something obvious about the MiG-31 threat. The MiG-31 is fast, but the Russians switched the emphasis away from speed (MiG-25) instead to distance-intercept and endurance - the MiG-31 is a Tomcat equivelent.
Originally posted by CodexKeeper
However, if it was the flanker or some other decent plane, yes the West would worry, but the 31 ? I doubt it.
A good plane for sure, but when it comes down to the wire, there is not much in the Western inventory that could not take it down Cheers
CodexK
Originally posted by waynos
In answer to that I would say that (F-22 excepted, natch) in BVR there is nothing in the West that is superior to the MiG 31, although the DASS suite of the Typhoon levels the playing field somewhat, while in WVR everything, including the Tornado F.3, is better.