Kislota Ki-31
| Ki-31 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Image of a Ki-31DZ in flight over Zloveshchiy, 2012 | |
Role
|
Interceptor Aircraft Attack Aircraft |
National origin
|
Zloveshchiy |
Manufacturer
|
Kislota |
First flight
|
5 January, 1977 |
Introduction
|
2 February, 1983 |
Status
|
in service |
Primary users
|
Zloveshchiyan Air Force Ajaki Air Force Entropanian Air Force |
Number built
|
570 |
Developed from
|
Kislota Ki-25 |
The Kislota Ki-31 (Slavic: Кислота Ки-31) is a supersonic interceptor aircraft that was developed for use by the Zloveshchiyan Air Force. The aircraft was designed by the Kislota design bureau as a replacement for the earlier Ki-25; the Ki-31 is based on and shares design elements with the Ki-25. The Ki-31 is among the fastest combat jets to be deployed within the Zloveshchiyan Military. It continues to be operated by the Zloveshchiyan Air Force and the Ajaki Air Force following the end of the War of the Three States and the establishment of the International Communist Union (ICU) in 1987 and 1989 respectively. The Zloveshchiyan Defence Ministry expects the Ki-31 to remain in service until 2030 or beyond; that was confirmed in 2020 when an announcement was made to extend the service lifetime from 2,500 to 3,500 hours on the existing airframes.
