surprisingly none of the old MiG25 operators signed up to buy them (except Syria’s aborted attempt).

Libya, India, Iraq, Algeria… all ex/current MiG25 operators who could in theory afford the MiG31s…

my “fantasy iraqi air force” would be:

36x F16s – second line multirole type (2 squadrons)
48x MiG35 – main multirole type (3 squadrons)
36x SU34 – strike/bomber/maritime attack (2 squadrons – same fleet size as what they planned for SU24MK earlier)
36x SU35S – main interceptor (2 squadrons)
18x MiG31BM – high end interceptor/recon/DEAD (1 squadron)
48x Yak130 – trainer / COIN (3 squadrons)

would be a nice matchup vs Iraq’s neighbours… 13 squadrons, but quality.

After 2020… they could think of getting 1 “5th generation” squadron, maybe FGFA/T50 or J31…

like i wrote in the other thread…

I think Iraqis (if they got their way), would buy a combo of MiG35 and maybe some MiG31E for the high end. Quite simply because of the performance characteristics of the MiG31 for interception.

During its time in Iraqi service, they lost only 3 MiG25PDS in combat. 2 against Iran and 1 against a brand new (at the time) AiM120. In turn they flew many thousands of missions in very difficult combat situations (against Iran and US). things like Mirage F1 or MiG29 simply could not hold a candle to it… (both in terms of performance, but also in RWRs and ECMs)

Today those “lessons learned” would still be with them to an extent. Though I’d guess they’d want more modern armaments, second seaters WSO, better range etc… basically a MiG31. which I would say has the capability to keep our neighbours Typhoons / F35s and other types at bay far better than most other types.

I’d personally love it. Though I know its unrealistic 🙁

[ironically, no-one has mentioned the by far most effective US system versus the Foxbat… which is of course the F-14/AIM-54C combination.]

actually I mentioned “new PHOENIX” 😉

Respectfully, I think your dreaming…….

I think a dream would involve some MiG31EQ with R37s in Iraqi service! 😀

Sorry, your not selling me on a mixed fleet. As least not on the scale proposed…….

Its not being sold to you. The US produces its own aircraft with 100% indigenous parts with 100% US companies. It doesn’t need dual supply because LM/Boeing are not going to embargo the US! Of course whilst the US has a good supply chain and training cycle (economies of scale), in reality smaller operators get advantage of that (FMS) whilst still keeping a “competitive edge” since they’re in the market to bargain from other suppliers too (no “monopoly” situation). The fear of being “cut off” is what makes these countries buy from multiple sources. An issue that, understandably, would not bother you too much. Their operating expenses are still kept in check as long as the fleet size reaches a “magic number” (about one “fighter wing” in Iraq’s case 36 aircraft) at which it becomes economical to have the tooling and specialists and ammo /parts quantities to keep the fleet in good order.

That was during Saddam reign………..Which, is not to say they won’t have a mixed fleet are they’re already stuck with one. Yet, I would bet they start to cut down on types and limited the number of suppliers too! Think more like the Saudi’s and not like Iraq of the 1980-90’s.

Saddam reign 1979-2003.
Iraqi dual supply policy 1937-2013.

It has nothing to do with saddam. this is what started it http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1936_Iraqi_coup_d%27%C3%A9tat

So could several other Western Types. Which, are likely cheaper and more reliable than the Su-35. Plus, they would share a number of Weapons with the current F-16 Fleet already operated by Iraq.

Westerners are unwilling to sell to Iraq. So this is a moot point. Perhaps once Iraq operates some advanced Russian fighters, the europeans/americans will “mellow up” and sell modern ordnance to Iraq. This has been discussed on the other thread already.