The MiG-25, NATO-codename Foxbat, is an interceptor aircraft for countering high altitude air targets. The Foxbat was developed in response to a 1958 Soviet Air Force requirement for a new interceptor able to engage and destroy the USAF's planned North American B-70 Valkyrie Mach 3 bomber (which was later cancelled). The MiG-25 reached operational status in the Soviet Air Force on April 13, 1972. The design of the new fighter was a twin-finned high-wing monoplane with slightly swept wings, a variable angle tail plane and lateral air intakes. The Foxbat is powered by two Tumanski R-31 turbojet engines, providing over 54,000 lbs. of thrust with fully selected afterburner. This is sufficient to make the Foxbat the fastest fighter aircraft ever built, with a top speed of over Mach 2.8 / 3,000 kph. Since the MiG-25 is a 'straight line' fighter that was designed for high-altitude, high-speed operations, maneuverability and low-altitude performance had to be sacrificed. The airframe is built largely out of steel to resist the temperatures developed at high speeds by air friction. A titanium skin covering protects all critical leading edges and joints that are subjected to excessive temperatures. Large air inlets are required to achieve the speed and altitude of the Foxbat, and to keep their size within reasonable limits, the MiG-25's inlets compress the air before it reaches the engines' compressor assembly. The fuel control system is equipped with a water-methanol injection system, which further enhances some of the most powerful afterburning engines ever installed in a combat aircraft. The MiG-25 is currently in service in Russia, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, India, Iraq, Algeria, Syria and Libya.

In September 1967, a MiG-25 set a world speed record at 1,853.61 miles per hour (2,982 kph). It stood for more than a decade, until broken by an American SR-71 Blackbird in July 1976. It reached 2,016 mph (3,244 kph). On July 25, 1973, a Ye-266, using the same airframe as the MiG-25 but equipped with more powerful engines, set the world's absolute altitude record for a ground-launched air-breathing aircraft, reaching 118,867 ft. (36,230 m). On August 31, 1977, the record was broken by a modified MiG-25 (E-266M) and taken to 123,524 ft. (37,650 m).

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The MiG-25 saw combat during the Gulf War. A MiG-25PD recorded the only Iraqi air-to-air kill during the war. It shot down an F/A-18 on the first night of the war, then went on to fire missiles at A-6 and A-7 attach aircraft, while avoiding escorting F-14 and F-15 fighters. In another incident, an Iraqi Foxbat-E eluded eight American F-15's, firing three missiles at EF-111 electronic warfare aircraft and forcing them to abort their mission. In yet another incident, two MiG-25's approached a pair of F-15 Eagles, fired missiles (which were evaded by the F-15's), and then outran the American fighters. Two more F-15's joined the pursuit, and a total of ten air-to-air missiles were fired at the Foxbats, none could reach them.