Aircraft
Modernization Prolongs Life of Russia’s MiG-25 Spyplanes
The Russian Air Force still operates 20 MiG-25R reconnaissance aircraft and has decided to modernize them. This one was photographed over the Baltic Sea by the Swedish air force in 1990.
The Russian Air Force still operates 20 MiG-25R reconnaissance aircraft and has decided to modernize them. This one was photographed over the Baltic Sea by the Swedish air force in 1990.

The Russian defense ministry has decided to modernize the air force’s surviving MiG-25 spyplanes for service until 2020. The venerable aircraft will receive a modern navigation suite based on Glonass receivers and laser gyroscopes; digital photo and video cameras; and a new “radio-technical reconnaissance complex.” The latter will include a new side-looking radar for surface surveillance and various communications and electronic intelligence-gathering systems.