The Mikoyan MiG-31 (NATO reporting name: Foxhound) supersonic interceptor is one of the fastest combat aircraft in the world, and remains an integral element of Russia’s aerospace defense arsenal.

However, even when you sit in the cockpit of an agile and maneuverable jet, it takes considerable piloting skills to perform an aerial refueling.
Fortunately, the pilots of Russia’s Pacific Fleet do not disappoint.

Pacific Fleet MiG-31 crews from the Pacific Fleet naval aviation have performed in-air refueling in the skies of Kamchatka.

The fuel was received from IL-78 tanker; the operation was performed individually and by pairs. The flights were carried out day and night.

This is one of the most difficult elements of flight training. It is carried out at the altitude of 6 thousand metres at the speed of 500-520 km/h. The distance between the aircraft was several tens of metres.

The refueling widens the range of the fighters and enables them to act in the areas located far away from permanent bases.