Thanks for replying

1. Because of the Lancaster rule, quantity would have a quality all its own.

WP quantity is only a factor if the VVS and PVO units in USSR are able to reinforce the frontline WP units.Otherwise quantitatively the FRG/Norwegian/Danish/Belgian/Dutch/RAF in FRG are a pretty significant force too

2. All NATO European air bases are within missile strike range, significantly effecting operations.

which missiles can WP use if the intermediate range weapons treaty eliminated are eliminated lets say in 1987? how effective are FROG and SCUD with conventional /chemical warheads ?

3. Dense radar network and developed infrastructure would provide cover for some of the WP training deficiencies

interesting this is what I was alluding to, how relevant are the much vaunted dog fighting capabilities when you are operating in an enviorment when what is most likely going to kill you will be an unseen attacker whether another fighter or SAM ?
The EW enviorment over central Europe will be such that there would be a lot of confusion esp in the IFF and a lot of friendly fire incidents
To counter the NATO , AWACs advantage what tactics can the WP airforces use ?

4. WP HOBS missiles would mean a clear WVR advantage for WP.

True but how many of these were available in the late 80s ? was the R-60 later variants all aspect WvR weapon ?

6. Dense SAM networks would ensure no quick victory possible for NATO

I agree the layered defence of WP SAM will be a great disruption for NATO attackers even if they manage to get thru the WP interceptors , plus many of the NATo fighters will have to adapted for CAS to halt the Red army advance and this will mean more of them will be exposed to SAM/AA guns and NATO fighters will not have the luxury of being purely interceptors

OMG please stop guys don’t talk about lend lease trucks

^ I was alluding to that thanks for bring it up
Is there a place where I can read more details on the SOviet air-sea battle tactics in the late cold war era ?
I mean how they intended to guard their SSBN
Deploy their DD/FF to counter western Aircraft carriers and other surface fleet
And their ASW doctrine
etc

Yeah no props.

Refits where the Rastrub was included to Project 1134A (Kresta II):
Admiral Makarov: 1983-1985 (Murmansk)
Admiral Isachenkov: 1982-1986 (Kronshtadt)
Admiral Oktyabrskiy: 1982-1986 (Dalzavod, Vladivostok)
Admiral Isakov: 1986-1990 (Murmansk)

Aside those, in the individual section of each ship of the project 1134A it also mentions that following ships also recieved the Rastrub;
Marshal Voroshilov: 1980-1986 (Dalzavod, Vladivostok)
Marshal Timoshenko: 1988-1992 (Kronshtadt)

Of the Project 1134B (Kara):
Kerch: 1984-1989 (Sevastopol)
Petropavlovsk: 1986-1990 (Dalzavod, Vladivostok)

As for the pr. 1155 (Udaloy) class, there is no mentioning of when the Rastrub was fitted but Udaloy was refitted between 1988-1990 in Kronshtadt so it might have recieved it then. There is no mentioning of any refits for Admiral Zaharov tough.

Awesome ! Thank you again

bumping this up for more discussion

MiG-23 series significantly heavier than Mirage III/5/50 even Mirage IIIF and Mirage IIING. MiG-23 also powered over 10 ton thrust compare to Mirage III series never beyond 8 ton until some Mirage IIIF retrofitted by RD-33.
Only armaments their are similar.

How do they compare in
speed
range
manoverabiliy and weapon options

I think they are vey comparable and in pilots of equal combat capability quite similar

Fair point, but the F-4AUP can’t do anything the F/A-18 can’t do. Where as the MiG-25’s speed gave it a capability beyond anything else the Soviets had in this time frame. As we’ve seen from the Gulf War, the only Iraqi fighters the US had any problem with were the Foxbats. The Iraqis had some limited success using it’s speed to occasionally overwhelm OODA loop and scored a F/A-18 kill in the confusion. They were also able to run away from F-15s in one engagement. Foxbats played an important role screening the escape to Iran.

One must conclude the MiG-25 was relatively successful given the over match conditions. If we’re talking about a more competent air force than the Iraqis facing a less competent foe than the USAF of 1990, one can only imagine the Foxbats would enjoy greater success.

Thanks that’s what I was alluding to, given its performance th foxbat has a potential to accept or decline engagements which other fighters might not be able to do.