KYIV. November 19. UNN. According to the UK Ministry of Defense Intelligence, Russia is considering the option of returning the Soviet M-55 reconnaissance aircraft. The British Ministry of Defense wrote about this in the social network X, UNN reports .
Quote russia is probably considering the possibility of returning to service the Soviet-era high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft M-55MYSTIC B. With an operational ceiling of more than 70,000 feet, the aircraft has recently been used as a research platform for studying the Earth. However, it was seen carrying a military reconnaissance pod designed for use on Russian fighter jets
Details
It is noted that a critical flaw in russia's procurement strategy is its inability to create an adequate intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability, or ISTAR for short.
Because it is critical for timely and accurate pursuit of targets by air, sea, and ground forces, "There is a realistic possibility that the M-55 will return to frontline service to augment russia's limited ISTAR capabilities over Ukraine."
READ MORE: British intelligence: Russia is beefing up its air defenses before Ukraine receives Western fighters