The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 'Foxbat' was designed due to the threat the USSR perceived from US long-range supersonic bombers like the B-70. In the event, the B-70 failed to materialize but the MiG-25 came into being as a high-altitude interceptor and reconnaissance bomber with a reported speed of over Mach 3 making it the fastest tactical aircraft ever designed. The MiG-25 features twin outward-cantered tail fins and a slim fuselage dominated by large rectangular engine inlets on each side, a configuration that would be very popular in a number of subsequent Soviet and US designs. The MiG-25's speed was in part thanks to two powerful R-15B engines as well as a fuselage composed of mostly nickel-steel alloy. However, Mach 3 was achieved by an unarmed reconnaissance version in non-combat conditions, not the interceptor as was initially believed. Despite this, the MiG-25 created quite a scare in the West particularly after a Soviet detatchment based in Egypt flew them with impunity over Israel during the early 1970s and the Yom Kippur War; it was also the only Soviet aircraft capable of intercepting the US SR-71 spy plane. This prompted the development of a new generation of fighters like the F-15; but after a Soviet pilot defected to Japan with a MiG-25 in 1979, it was shown that it was not as capable an aircraft as was once feared. The MiG-25 was exported to various countries including Algeria, India, Iraq, Libya and Syria, and was followed up by the MiG-31 in Soviet service. Iraqi MiG-25s were used to good effect during the Iran-Iraq War, shooting down numerous Iranian F-4Es. A MiG-25 also achieved the only Iraqi air-to-air kill during the 1991 Gulf War against a US F/A-18. Before the 2003 Iraq War, another MiG-25 shot down a US Predator drone, this being the first drone kill in history.

The Ye-155R-1 reconnaissance prototype of the MiG-25 first flew on 9 September 1964 and was followed by a Ye-155P-1 interceptor prototype shortly thereafter. Reconnaissance versions began with the production MiG-25R 'Foxbat-B' which was the first to enter service and was unarmed. This was then adapted into the MiG-25RB reconnaissance bomber with further sub-variants featuring new Elint equipment. A dedicated Elint version was the MiG-25RBK 'Foxbat-D' while the MiG-25RBS had side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) instead of cameras. Radar-equipped interceptor variants began with the MiG-25P 'Foxbat-A', which was followed by the MiG-25PD with more powerful engines, new missiles, and a new radar adapted from that of the MiG-23. Some had IRST systems installed as well. Conversions to this standard were known as MiG-25PDS. Finally, the MiG-25BM 'Foxbat-F' is a SEAD platform armed with anti-radiation missiles. Two-seat trainers include the MiG-25PU and MiG-25RU.