One of the best defenses that Russia has is it's high flying Mig-35s armed with it's R-37 long range missiles. It's hard to shoot this combination down.
Let's set up a condition. You are a Ukrainian Mig-29 armed with R-27T Missiles. The R-27 will be launched by the 29 at about Mach 1 which ads to it's speed at first. With the Missiles speed of Mach 4.5 that means it will initially be flying at Mach 5.5. Remember, the Mig-31 is going to be 70K+ in altitude and your missile is going to lose a lot of energy getting up to that altitude. And the Mig-31 is firing back with a much faster and higher energy missile since it's firing down hill. The Mig-31 has the option just to turn around, put the coals to the fire and leave long before your missile gets there. Remember, the Russians have active AWACS and can guide the missiles in without the Mig-31s radar. What the Mig-29 is going to probably do is to ground hug and break the AWACS tracking and the missile will go ballistic and his own missile will not have a target to hit either or through his own maneuvering, will break his own lock.
Let's say that the Mig-29 gets up to 20K or more. He becomes one hell of a target where he can't terrain mask.
Meanwhile, the Jet Fighters for Russia have to launch from quite a distance. If they do come into the attack area, they have a real problem with the ground fire and Mig-29s. The Russian Choppers have the same problem and normally do not go into the battle area anymore.
Right now, the Russians have the advantage. They just don't have the advantage on the ground to take advantage of it. What Ukraine needs is more long range weapons both ground attack and ground to air.
Let's set up a condition. You are a Ukrainian Mig-29 armed with R-27T Missiles. The R-27 will be launched by the 29 at about Mach 1 which ads to it's speed at first. With the Missiles speed of Mach 4.5 that means it will initially be flying at Mach 5.5. Remember, the Mig-31 is going to be 70K+ in altitude and your missile is going to lose a lot of energy getting up to that altitude. And the Mig-31 is firing back with a much faster and higher energy missile since it's firing down hill. The Mig-31 has the option just to turn around, put the coals to the fire and leave long before your missile gets there. Remember, the Russians have active AWACS and can guide the missiles in without the Mig-31s radar. What the Mig-29 is going to probably do is to ground hug and break the AWACS tracking and the missile will go ballistic and his own missile will not have a target to hit either or through his own maneuvering, will break his own lock.
Let's say that the Mig-29 gets up to 20K or more. He becomes one hell of a target where he can't terrain mask.
Meanwhile, the Jet Fighters for Russia have to launch from quite a distance. If they do come into the attack area, they have a real problem with the ground fire and Mig-29s. The Russian Choppers have the same problem and normally do not go into the battle area anymore.
Right now, the Russians have the advantage. They just don't have the advantage on the ground to take advantage of it. What Ukraine needs is more long range weapons both ground attack and ground to air.
