The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (NATO reporting name: Foxbat) is a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft that was among the fastest military aircraft to enter service. It was designed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau. The first prototype flew in 1964, and the aircraft entered into service in 1970. It has a top speed of Mach 2.83 (Mach 3.2 is possible but at risk of significant damage to the engines), and features a powerful radar and four air-to-air missiles.

When first seen in reconnaissance photography, the large wing planform suggested an enormous and highly maneuverable fighter, at a time when U.S. design theories were also evolving towards higher maneuverability due to combat performance in the Vietnam War. The appearance of the MiG-25 sparked serious concern in the West and prompted dramatic increases in performance for the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle then under development in late 1960s. The capabilities of the MiG-25 were better understood in 1976 when Soviet pilot Viktor Belenko defected in a MiG-25 to the United States via Japan. It turned out that the aircraft's weight necessitated its large wings.

Production of the MiG-25 series ended in 1984 after completion of 1,190 aircraft. A symbol of the Cold War, the MiG-25 flew with Soviet allies and former Soviet republics, remaining in limited service in Russia and several other nations. It is the highest-flying and the second fastest military aircraft ever fielded after the SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a Soviet Air Defense Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25PD "Foxbat-E" interceptor that was attached to the 8th Air Defense Army, then deployed to Kiev, Ukraine, during the 1980s. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 7-3/4-inches
Length: 13-inches

Release Date: September 2022

Historical Account: "Upgrading" - The MiG-25PD (NATO designation "Foxbat-E") was an improved single-seat all-weather interceptor fighter aircraft, which entered service from 1979. It was fitted with R-15BD-300 engines and new N-005 Saphir-25 (RP-25M) Pulse-Doppler radar with look-down/shoot down capability, based on the radar of the MiG-23ML. It could be fitted with four R-60 air-to-air missiles replacing outermost two R-40 missiles. Late examples fitted with an under nose IRST.

The 8th Separate Army of the Air Defence Forces (Military Unit Number 25342) was a Soviet military formation established in 1960. Army headquarters was in Kiev, Ukrainian SSR.

The 8th air defense army was formed in March 1960 on the basis of the Kiev Air Defense Army on the basis of the Directive of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces No. omu/1/454690 of 24.03.1960. Previously the Kiev Air Defence Region had air defence responsibility for the area.

In 1988, it comprised the 49th and 60th Air Defence Corps.