ZHUKOVSKY /Moscow region/, August 30 (Itar-Tass) - MiG-31 fighter interceptor jets will remain at the Air Forces at least until 2028; later on, if necessary, the term may be extended by five-ten years, the Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Viktor Bondarev said on Friday.

“Based on MiG-31 resources, we shall be using modernized jets to 2028,” he said. “If we decide to extend the resource, we may use the jets also after 2008 for five-ten years.”

He said with the new Sukhoi 35 and with new armament - long-range missile interceptors - the interceptor tasks may involve also some other jets, or MiG-31 may be adjusted accordingly.

“We are fully satisfied with the jet, and it carries out all the tasks it faces,” the commander added. “But I believe we shall settle the tasks of long-range interception by modernizing other jets, too.”