Russian Air Force

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it has insufficient inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (July 2011)
Военно-воздушные cилы России
Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii
Russian Air Force
Emblem of the Russian Air Force
Flag of the Russian Air Forces
Active 1992-present
Country  Russian Federation
Role Air superiority, reconnaissance, close air support
Size 160,000 personnel
Anniversaries 12 August
Engagements First Chechen War
1999 invasion of Dagestan
Second Chechen War
2008 South Ossetia war
Commanders
Current
commander		 Lieutenant General Viktor Bondarev
Insignia
Roundel Russian Air Force roundel.svg[1][2]
Former roundel (1992-2010) URSS-Russian aviation red star.svg

The Russian Air Force (Russian: Военно-воздушные cилы России, tr. Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii) is the aerial warfare service branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is currently under the command of Colonel General Aleksandr Zelin. The Russian Navy has its own air arm, the Russian Naval Aviation, which is the former Soviet Aviatsiya Voyenno Morskogo Flota ("Naval Aviation"), or AV-MF).

The Air Force was formed from parts of the former Soviet Air Forces after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991–92. Boris Yeltsin's creation of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation on 7 May 1992, can be taken as a convenient formation date for the new Air Force. Since that time, the Air Force has suffered severe setbacks due to lack of resources, and has constantly shrunk in size. Since Vladimir Putin became President of the Russian Federation however, much more money has been allocated to the Armed Forces as a whole.

Contents

History [edit]

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union into its fifteen constituent republics in December 1991, the aircraft and personnel of the Soviet Air Forces – the VVS were divided among the newly independent states. General Pyotr Deynekin, the former deputy commander-in-chief of the Soviet Air Forces, became the first commander of the new organisation on 24 August 1991. Russia received the majority of the most modern fighters and 65% of the manpower. The major commands of the former Soviet VVS – the Long Range Aviation, Military Transport Aviation and Frontal Aviation were renamed, with few changes, Russian VVS commands. However, many regiments, aircraft, and personnel were claimed by the republics they were based in, forming the core of the new republics' air forces. Some aircraft in Belarus and Ukraine (such as Tu-160s) were returned to Russia, sometimes in return for debt reductions, as well as a long range aviation division based at Dolon in Kazakhstan.

During the 1990s, the financial stringency felt throughout the armed forces made its mark on the Air Forces as well.[3] Pilots and other personnel could sometimes not get their wages for months, and on occasion resorted to desperate measures: four MiG-31 pilots at Yelizovo in the Far East went on hunger strike in 1996 to demand back pay which was several months overdue, and the problem was only resolved by diverting unit monies intended for other tasks.[4] As a result of the cutbacks, infrastructure became degraded as well, and in 1998, 40% of military airfields needed repair. The situation only began to improve after Putin took power and military budgets were greatly increased.

The VVS participated in the First Chechen War (1994–1996) and the Second Chechen War (1999–2002). These campaigns also presented significant difficulties for the VVS including the terrain, lack of significant fixed targets and insurgents armed with Stinger and Strela-2M surface-to-air missiles.

During the 1990s the Sukhoi design bureau designed a replacement bomber aircraft, the T-60S. This aircraft did not reach the production stage. A further abortive design project was the MiG 1.42.

The former Soviet Air Defence Forces remained independent for several years under Russian control, only merging with the Air Forces in 1998. The decree merging the two forces was issued by President Boris Yeltsin on 16 July 1997. During 1998 altogether 580 units and formations were disbanded, 134 reorganized, and over 600 given a new jurisdiction.[5] The redistribution of forces affected 95% of aircraft, 98% of helicopters, 93% of anti-aircraft missile complexes, 95% of the equipment of radiotechnical troops, 100% of anti-aircraft missiles and over 60% of aviation armament. More than 600,000 tons of material changed location and 3500 aircraft changed airfields. Military Transport Aviation planes took more than 40,000 families to new residence areas.

The short-lived operational commands were abolished. Two air armies, 37th Air Army (long-range aviation) and 61st Air Army (former Military Transport Aviation), were established directly under the Supreme Command. The former frontal aviation and anti-aircraft forces were organized as Air Force Armies and Anti-Aircraft Defense Armies under the military district commanders. There were initially four such armies with headquarters in St.Petersburg (Leningrad Military District), Rostov-on-Don (Caucasus Military District), Khabarovsk (Far East Military District), and Chita (Siberian Military District). Two military districts had separate Air and Air Defence Corps. When the Transbaikal Military District and Siberian Military District were merged, the 14th Air Army was reactivated to serve as the air force formation in the area.

The number of servicemen in the Air Force was reduced to about 185 000 from the former combined number of 318,000. 123,500 positions were abolished, including almost 1000 colonel positions. The resignation of 3000 other servicemen included 46 generals of which 15 were colonel generals. On 29 December 1998 Colonel General Anatoly Kornukov, a former Air Defence Forces officer and new commander-in-chief of the merged force, succeeding Deynekin, reported to the Russian defence minister that the task had 'in principle been achieved'.[6] General Kornukov established the new headquarters of the force in Zarya, near Balashikha, 20 km north of the centre of Moscow, in the former PVO central command post, where the CIS common air defence system is directed from.

Since 2000 [edit]

An Air Force Su-25UB pictured in 2001

General Kornukov was succeeded by General Vladimir Mikhaylov in 2002.

In December 2003 the aviation assets of the Army—mostly helicopters—were transferred to the VVS, following the shooting down of a Mi-26 helicopter in Chechnya on 19 August 2002, that claimed 19 lives. The former Army Aviation was in its previous form intended for the direct support of the Ground Forces, by providing their tactical air support, conducting tactical aerial reconnaissance, transporting airborne troops, providing fire support of their actions, electronic warfare, setting of minefield barriers and other tasks. The former Army Aviation is now managed by the Chief of the Department of Army Aviation, who in mid-2007 was Lieutenant General Anatoly Surtsukov.[7]

In October 2004 the disbandment was announced of the 200th and 444th Bomber Aviation Regiments with Tupolev Tu-22M3, of the 28th, 159th, 790th, and 941st Fighter Aviation Regiments, of the 302nd and 959th Regiments equipped with Sukhoi Su-24, and of the 187th and 461st Assault Aviation Regiments with the Sukhoi Su-25.[8] These disbandments did not go ahead.

The Air Force continues to suffer from a lack of resources for pilot training. In the 1990s Russian pilots achieved approximately 10% of the flight hours of the United States Air Force. The 2007 edition of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Military Balance listed pilots of tactical aviation flying 20–25 hours a year, 61st Air Army pilots (former Military Transport Aviation), 60 hours a year, and Army Aviation under VVS control 55 hours a year.[9]

General Mikhailov was succeed by General Colonel Aleksandr Zelin in 2007. Zelin said in August 2007 that by 2011 the Air Force would deploy advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) with flight range of up to 400 kilometers (250 mi) and flight duration of up to 12 hours.[10] The UAVs of both fixed- and rotary-wing types will perform a variety of tasks, including reconnaissance, attack, retransmission of radio signals and target designation, he said.[10]

Armed Forces of the
Russian Federation
Medium emblem of the Вооружённые Силы Российской Федерации.svg
Big Emblem of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.jpg
Banner of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (obverse).svg
Ministry of Defence
Services (vid)
Air Force Russian Air Force
Ground Forces Russian Ground Forces
Navy Russian Navy
Independent troops (rod)
Ground Forces Strategic Missile Troops
Ground Forces Russian Aerospace Defence Forces
Ground Forces Russian Airborne Troops
Other troops
Naval Infantry
Naval Aviation
Missiles and Artillery Agency
Railway Troops
Ranks of the Russian Military
Air Force ranks and insignia
Army ranks and insignia
Navy ranks and insignia
History of the Russian military
Military history of Russia
History of Russian military ranks
Military ranks of the Soviet Union

In August 2007, the commander of the 16th Air Army, General Major Alexander Belevitch, said that the 16th Air Army would soon receive two regiments of the advanced Su-34 Fullback fighter-bombers in the near future.[11] However, as of 2010, only 16 Su-34s are in service, and only one frontline unit has received any aircraft.[12] Belevitch also said the formation would receive MiG-29SM 'Fulcrum' fighters to replace outdated MiG-29s and modernised Su-25 Frogfoot close support aircraft, which showed outstanding performance during operations in Afghanistan, Chechnya and other "hot spots."[11]

Russia resumed the Soviet-era practice of sending its bomber aircraft on long-range flights at a permanent basis in July and August 2007, after a 15-year unilateral suspension due to fuel costs and other economic difficulties after the collapse of the Soviet Union.[13][14] Patrols towards the North Pole, the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean were reinstated, bringing the planes often close to NATO territory, most recently flying over the Irish Sea, between the UK and Ireland.[15]

In 2008 the Air Force lost between 4 and 7 aircraft to Georgian anti-aircraft fire during the 2008 South Ossetian War.

Warfare.ru indicates that in early 2009 the Air Force went through a major restructuring, in which air armies were succeeded by commands, and most air regiments becoming airbases.[16] However, Combat Aircraft, in a piece by Stefan Buttner in its August–September 2009 issue, presented the order of battle as being substantially unchanged.[17] Eventually Aviation Week & Space Technology confirmed that the reorganisation would be completed by December 2009 and would see a 40 percent reduction in aircrew numbers.[18]

In February 2009, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that 200 of the 291 MiG-29s currently in service across all Russian air arms were unsafe and would have to be permanently grounded.[19] This action would remove from service about a third of Russia's total fighter force, some 650 aircraft.

On 5 June 2009, the Chief of the General Staff, Nikolai Makarov said of the Russian Air Force that "They can run bombing missions only in daytime with the sun shining, but they miss their targets anyway".[20] Maj. Gen. Pavel Androsov said that Russia's long-range bombers would be upgraded in 2009 with the aim of being able to hit within 20 meters of their targets.[21]

On 18 August 2009, the Russian Government signed a contract for 48 Su-35BM, 4 Su-30M2 and 12 Su-27SM's at the MAKS-2009 air show.[22]

Also in September 2009 it was reported that an East European network of the Joint CIS Air Defense System was to be set up by Russia and Belarus.[23] This network was to be established to jointly protect the Russia-Belarus Union State’s airspace. Its planned composition was to include five Air Force units, 10 anti-aircraft units, five technical service and support units and one electronic warfare unit. It was to be placed under the command of a Russian or Belarussian Air Force or Air Defence Force senior commander.

A number of Russian aviation companies have been attempting to develop advanced fighter aircraft to replace the large number of aging MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft in service. All have been severely affected by funding difficulties. Sukhoi has emerged as the frontrunner. The Sukhoi PAK FA – Future Air Complex for Tactical Air Forces – has been under development since 2002. The first prototype made its initial flight on 29 January 2010. A 2015 date has been announced for service entry.[24]

There has recently been discussion over changing the Soviet red star insignia on aircraft. In March 2010, a new roundel was proposed in the State Duma, adding an outline of blue, to reflect all three colours of the national flag.[citation needed] While this proposal was rejected in the Federation Council,[citation needed] pictures exist showing some aircraft have had the three-colour insignia applied.[citation needed]

In July 2010, Russian jet fighters made the first nonstop flights from European Russia to the Russian Far East.[25]

By August 2010, according to the commander-in-chief of the Russian Air Force Aleksandr Zelin (interview to the Ekho Moskvy radio station, 14 August 2010), the average flight hours of a pilot in Russian tactical aviation had reached 80 hours a year, while in army aviation and military transport aviation it exceeded 100 hours a year.[26]

As of 15 August 2010, the Russian Air Force temporarily grounded its fleet of Su-25 ground attack aircraft to conduct an investigation into a crash that happened during a training mission. The Russian Defence Ministry said that the plane crashed on 6 August 2010, 60 km to the north-west of Step air base in Siberia, according to RIA Novosti. The plane is in the process of being upgraded by the Russian Air Force. The crew of the plane ejected to safety before it hit the ground and there were no civilian injuries.

In 2010, the 2003 decision to transfer the Army Aviation to the Air Force was reversed. Also, 18 new aviation brigades will be created.[27]

Since 2012 [edit]

Modern Russian aircraft Sukhoi Su-35, Sukhoi Su-34, Sukhoi PAK FA, pictured in 2011

Currently the Russian Air Force operates a total of 61 air bases. This includes 26 air bases with tactical aircraft, of which 14 are equipped with fighter aircraft.

In 2012, the Air Force was made up of:

  • 38 fighter squadrons (7 operating MiG-29s, one operating the MiG-29S, 2 operating the MiG-29SMT, 10 operating the MiG-31, one on operating the MiG-31B, one operating the MiG-31BM, 7 operating the Su-27P, 8 operating the Su-27SM, 1 operating the Su-27SM3 and Su-30M2
  • 15 bomber squadrons (12 operating the Su-24M, 2 operating the Su-24M2, 1 operating the Su-34)
  • 14 assault squadrons (10 operating the Su-25, 4 operating the Su-25SM)
  • 9 intelligence squadrons (operating the Su-24MR, and various UAVs)
  • 13 training and testbed squadrons

In terms of flight hours, pilots in the Western Military District averaged 125 hours over the 2012 training year. Pilots from the Kursk airbase achieved an average of 150 hours, with transport aviation averaging 170 hours.[28]

Ranks and insignia [edit]

Main article: Air Force ranks and insignia of the Russian Federation

The independent Russia inherited the ranks of the Soviet Union, although the insignia and uniform was altered a little, especially the re-introduction of the old Czarist crown and Double-headed eagle. The Russian Air Force is an independent organisation. The Russian Air Force follows the same rank structure as the Russian Ground Forces, with the addition of the title "of aviation" to each officers rank.

Organization [edit]

Medium emblem of the Russian Air Force

In 2009 the Russian Air Forces' structure was completely changed to a command-air base structure from the previous structure of air army-air division or corps-air regiment. The VVS is now divided to 4 operational commands, the Operational Strategic Command for Air-Space Defence (seemingly primarily made up of the former Special Purpose Command), the Military Transport Aviation Command, and the Long Range Aviation Command.[29] This listing is a composite; the available new information covers frontline forces, and the forces of central subordination are as of approximately August 2008. Warfare.ru maintains what appears to be a reasonably up to date listing, and Combat Aircraft magazine in June 2010 listed their organisation's estimate of the new order of battle.

Air Forces of Russia

Flag of Russia.svg Russian Empire

Air Force (1909–1917)

Flag of the Soviet Union.svg Soviet Union

Red Air Force (1918–1991)

Naval Aviation (1918–1991)

Air Defense (1948–1991)

Strategic Rocket Forces (1959–1991)

Flag of Russia.svg Russian Federation

Air Force (1991–present)

Naval Aviation (1991–present)

Strategic Rocket Forces (1991–present)

Forces of central subordination of the Russian Air Force 2008

  • 8th Air Division for Special Purposes — Chkalovsky Airport
  • 929th State Flight Test Centre — Akhtubinsk
  • 4th Centre for Combat Training and Flight Personnel Training — Lipetsk Air Base - Su-34, Su-24M2, Su-30, Su-27SM, MiG-29, L-39C.
  • 344th Centre for Combat Training and Flight Personnel Training — Torzhok — ground forces helicopters.
    • 696th Research and Instruction Helicopter Regiment — Torzhok — Ka-50, Ka-52, Mi-35M, Mi-8AMTSh, Mi-24PN, Mi-26, has used Mi-28N.
    • 92nd Research and Instruction Helicopter Squadron — Sokol-Vladimir — Mi-8TM(MTV-5) and Mi-24PN
  • 2881st Reserve Helicopter Base — Totskoye — Mi-24P
  • 924th Centre for Combat Training and Flight Personnel Training — Yegoryevsk — UAVs
  • Russian State Scientific-Research Institute Centre for Cosmonaut Training — Star City (Zvyozdniy Gorodok)
  • 2457th Air Base of Long Range Radiolocation Detection Aircraft — Ivanovo Severny — A-50(U)
  • 1st Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment — Lebyazhye — Su-24
  • 764th Fighter Aviation Regiment — Bolshoye Savino Airport (Sokol) — MiG-31 and MiG-25PU
  • 5th Independent Long Range Reconnaissance Aviation Detachment — Voronezh (CFE and INF verification)
  • 185th Centre for Combat Training and Flight Personnel Training — Astrakhan
  • 118th Independent Helicopter Squadron — Chebenki(Dmitriyevka), Orenburg Oblast.
  • 4020th Base for Reserve Aircraft — Lipetsk
  • 4215th Base for Reserve Aircraft — Chebenki

Training Units

  • Krasnodar Military Aviation Institute — L-39C
  • Syzran Military Aviation Institute — Syzran — Mi-2, Mi-8T and Mi-24V, Ansat, Ka-226T[30]
  • 783rd Training Centre — Armavir — MiG-29UB and L-39C
  • 786th Training Centre — Borisoglebsk - Yak-130

The List of Soviet Air Force bases shows a number which are still active with the Russian Air Force.

Aircraft and personnel numbers 2013 [edit]

Total strength of the air force - about 170 thousand people (including officers - 40000, contract servicemen - about 37 thousand).  In addition, the IISS estimated that the Russian Air Force had a strength of 4,000+ aircraft in active service and 833 in storage.(IISS Military Balance 2010, p. 222) Precise quantitative and qualitative composition of the Russian Air Force is classified information. The following data are collected from open sources, and may contain significant inaccuracies.

Aircraft inventory [edit]

Aircraft Photo Origin Type Versions Numbers In Service Comments
Fighters
Sukhoi PAK FA Sukhoi T-50 Beltyukov.jpg Russia Fighter Su-Pak Fa 4/60[31] Into serial production in 2016[32]
Sukhoi Su-27 Su-27SM3 in flight, Celebration of the 100th anniversary of Russian Air Force.jpg USSR Air Superiority Fighter Su-27SM
Su-27SM3
Su-27UB		 241
12
40		 Older units being upgraded.
Sukhoi Su-30 Sukhoi Su-30 inflight.jpg Russia Fighter Su-30
Su-30M2
Su-30SM		 5
4
3[33][34]		 Two contracts for a total of 60 Su-30SM to be delivered by 2016.[35][36]
Sukhoi Su-35 Sukhoi Su-35S in 2009.jpg Russia Fighter Su-35
Su-35S		 5[37]
10[38][39]		 48 Su-35S on order by 2015.[40]
Mikoyan MiG-29 Russian Air Force Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29M-2 Beltyukov-1.jpg USSR Fighter MiG-29
MiG-29UB
MiG-29SMT		 226
Interceptor
Mikoyan MiG-31 MiG-31 790 IAP Khotilovo airbase.jpg USSR Interceptor aircraft MiG-31
MiG-31B
MiG-31BM		 122[41]
18
24[42][43][44]		 Mig-31BM upgrade program on-going, with 60-80 units expected by 2020.[45]).
Ground-Attack
Sukhoi Su-24 Sukhoi Su-24 inflight Mishin-2.jpg USSR Ground-attack
Ground-attack
Reconnaissance		 Su-24M
Su-24M2
Su-24MR		 124[46]
40[47]
79		 To be replaced with Su-34.[48]
Sukhoi Su-25 Sukhoi Su-25SM (2).jpg USSR Ground-attack Su-25
Su-25SM
Su-25UB		 185
66[49][50]
~35		 Upgrade program on-going (to Su-25Sm standard).
Sukhoi Su-34 Sukhoi Su-34 in 2012 (2).jpg Russia Strike Fighter Su-34 1[51][52] Two contracts for 32 units by 2015 and 92 by 2020 (total 124)[53]
Bombers
Tupolev Tu-22M Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-22M3 Beltyukov.jpg USSR Bomber Tu-22M3
Tu-22MR
Tu-22M3M		 116 Tu-22M3M upgrade program on-going. (30 units by 2020[54]).
Tupolev Tu-95 Tupolev Tu-95 in flight.jpg USSR Strategic Bomber Tu-95MS6
Tu-95MS16		 32
31
Tupolev Tu-160 Tu-160 at MAKS 2007.jpg USSR Strategic Bomber Tu-160 16
Transport Aircraft
Antonov An-22 Russian Air Force An-22 in April 2007.jpg USSR Strategic Transport An-22 6
Antonov An-124 224th Flight Unit Antonov An-124.jpg USSR Strategic Transport An-124
An-124-100		 10
4[55][56]		 By 2020 it is planned total to upgrade 20 aircraft in the version of AN-124-100, including aircraft in storage.[57]
Ilyushin Il-76 Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76MD Dvurekov-11.jpg USSR/Russia Strategic Transport IL-76MD 210 39(48[58]) units ordered. (Il-76MD-90A/Il-476) by 2020[59]
Antonov An-12 Russian Air Force Antonov An-12 Dvurekov.jpg USSR Tactical Transport An-12 50
Antonov An-72 Antonov An-72 ES-NOG.jpg USSR Tactical Transport An-72/74 39 [60] Not accounted for by the IISS.
Antonov An-24
Antonov An-26		 Russian Air Force Antonov An-26 Dvurekov.jpg USSR Tactical Transport An-24/An-26 76
Special Aircraft
Ilyushin Il-20 Ilyushin Il-20M (2).jpg USSR Radar reconnaissance IL-20M 20
Ilyushin Il-62 223rd Flight Unit Ilyushin Il-62M Pichugin 2006.jpg USSR Airliner IL-62M 3 [60] Not accounted for by the IISS.
Tupolev Tu-154 Russian Air Force Tupolev Tu-154M Naumenko.jpg USSR Airliner Tu-154M 16[61] [60] Not accounted for by the IISS.
Ilyushin Il-78 VDayParade2009 aerial refueling tanker.jpg USSR Aerial Refueling IL-78
IL-78M		 20
Beriev A-50 Beriev A-50, 2011-08-13.jpg USSR Airborne Early Warning & Control A-50M
A-50U		 25
2[62]		 Ongoing modernization program (A-50U)
Ilyushin Il-80 Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-87 Aimak May 2009.jpg USSR Command & Control IL-80 4
Mikoyan MiG-25 Russian Air Force MiG-25.jpg USSR Reconnaissance Mig-25R 40
Yakovlev Yak-40 Samara Airlines Yakovlev Yak-40 Faeberg.jpg USSR VIP Transport Yak-40 1 [60] Not accounted for by the IISS.
Let L-410 Turbolet Russian Air Force Let L-410 Petrov.jpg Czechoslovakia VIP Transport L-410 7 [60] Not accounted for by the IISS.
Antonov An-140 Antonov An-140-100 at the MAKS-2011 (02).jpg Russia VIP Transport An-140-100 3[63] 10 on order[64]
Training Aircraft
Yakovlev Yak-130 Yakovlev Yak-130.jpg Russia Training Aircraft Yak-130 29[65][66] Another 55 have been ordered.[67]
Aero L-39 Albatros Rus Aero L-39 Pichugin.jpg Czechoslovakia Training Aircraft L-39 336 To be replaced with the Yak-130.
Tupolev Tu-134 Tupolev Tu-134UBL in flight.jpg USSR Training Aircraft Tu-134UBL 30
Helicopters
Kamov Ka-50 Russian Air Force Kamov Ka-50.jpg USSR Attack Helicopter Ka-50 8 Cancelled in favor of the Ka-52.
Kamov Ka-52 Kamov Ka-52.jpg Russia Attack helicopter Ka-52 35[68][69] ordered 140 units by 2020[70]
Mil Mi-24
Mil Mi-35		 Russian Air Force Mil Mi-35M Zherdin-1.jpg USSR/Russia Attack helicopter Mi-24V/P
Mi-35М		 ~375
16		 Two contracts for the MI-35M at 22[71] and 27[72] units by 2014. (total 49)
Mil Mi-28 Mi-28N from Berkuti aerobatics team.jpg Russia Attack helicopter Mi-28N ~67[73] Two contracts for the Mi-28N at 67 by 2013 and 30 units by 2014.[74] (total 97)
Mil Mi-8
Mil Mi-17		 Russian Air Force Mil Mi-8MTV-5 Beltyukov-1.jpg USSR/Russia Transport Helicopter Mi-8MT
Mi-8T
Mi-8MTV-5
Mi-8AMTSh
Mi-17(8M)		 ~600 Active in the industry. The number of units ordered is unknown.[75] Supposedly 140 Mi-8MTV-5 by 2020.[76]
Mil Mi-26 Mil Mi-26, Celebration of the 100th anniversary of Russian Air Force.jpg USSR/Russia Transport Helicopter Mi-26
Mi-26(T)		 35
12[77]		 Since 2011 the production of new Mi-26(T). Ordered 18 units.[78]
Kamov Ka-226 Kamov Ka-226 MAKS 2005.jpg Russia Transport Helicopter Ka-226 10[79] ordered 36 units.[80]
Kazan Ansat Kazan Ansat - 100th anniversary of Russian Air Force -02.jpg Russia Training Helicopter Ansat-U 19[81][82] 40 on order
Mil Mi-2
PZL Mi-2		 Ми-2 с флагом РФ делает облёт над аэропортом Толмачёво .jpg USSR
Poland		 Utility Helicopter Mi-2 280 [60] Not accounted for by the IISS.
Kamov Ka-60 Russian Air Force Ka-60.jpg Russia Utility Helicopter Ka-60 5 [60] Not accounted for by the IISS.
Kamov Ka-28 Kamov Ka-27PS.JPEG USSR Utility Helicopter Ka-28 2 [60] Not accounted for by the IISS.
Kamov Ka-29 Kamov Ka-29 in 2010.jpg USSR Utility Helicopter Ka-29 21 [60] Not accounted for by the IISS.
UAVs
Yakovlev Pchela Yakovlev Pchela NTW 2 93 2.jpg Russia UAV PCHELA-1T Unknown
REIS-D 150px Russia UAV REIS-D Unknown
IAI Searcher Форпост 02.jpg Israel UAV Forpost Unknown

According to the instructions of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of September 1, 2011 the unmanned aircraft of the Air Force and the units using them moved to the Army. Therefore, the Army has overall control over the unmanned aircraft units.[83]

Military Aircrafts and Helicopters production for RuAF [edit]

Military helicopters deliveries by Russian army 2009–2012
Type 2009 2010 2011 2012
Mi-28N 13 11 12 15
Mi-35M 6 11
Ka-52 3 4 12 21
Mi-8 family 10 15 10 14
Mi-26 4 7
Ka-226 1 9
Ansat-U 6 8 5
Ka-31 2
Total 32 30 53 84
Sources:[84][85]


Military aircraft deliveries by Russian army 2009–2012
Type 2009 2010 2011 2012
MiG-29SMT 4
Su-27SM3 12
Su-30 family 4 2
Su-34 2 4 6 10
Yak-130 1 4 8 15
Su-35S 2 8
L-410UVP 4 3
An-140-100 1 2
Tu-154M 1 2
Total 7 13 31 42
Sources:[86][87]

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Правительство Российской Федерации. Постановление от 4 марта 2010 г. № 127 "О знаках государственной принадлежности на воздушных судах государственной авиации"". Government.ru. 3 October 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  2. ^ "РИА Новости "Утверждены новые знаки госпринадлежности на воздушных судах"". Rian.ru. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  3. ^ Austin & Muraviev, The Armed Forces of Russia in Asia, Tauris, 2000, p.235
  4. ^ Jeroen Brinkman, 'Russian Air Force in Turmoil,' Air Forces Monthly, No.105, December 1996, p.2, cited in Austin & Muraviev, 2000
  5. ^ General Heikki Nikunen, The Current State of the Russian Air Force, last updated 2005
  6. ^ Piotr Butowski, 'Russia's new air force enters a tight manoeuvre,' Jane's Intelligence Review, May 1999, p.14
  7. ^ Piotr Butowski, 'Russia Rising,' Air Forces Monthly, July 2007, p.83
  8. ^ Valeriy Kolosov, Military Reform: Minus One Hundred Thousand, Kommersant, 11 October 2004, cited in Scott & Scott, Russian Military Directory 2004
  9. ^ Routledge/IISS, IISS Military Balance 2007, p.200
  10. ^ a b Russia to build fifth-generation fighter prototype soon, 8 August 2007
  11. ^ a b RIA Novosti, Russia to equip two air regiments with Su-34 strike planes soon, 2 August 2007
  12. ^ "SU-34/32FN Fullback Long range fighter-bomber , Russian Arms, Military Technology, Analysis of Russia's Military Forces". Warfare.ru. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  13. ^ "BBC NEWS, ',Russia restarts Cold War',, 17 August 2007, patrols". BBC News. 17 August 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  14. ^ Russia restores Soviet-era strategic bomber patrols – Putin −2 Russian News & Information Agency
  15. ^ "BBC NEWS, RAF intercepted Russian planes, 30 April 2008". BBC News. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  16. ^ Warfare.ru, Air Force: structure accessed May 2009
  17. ^ "accessed August 2009". Combataircraft.net. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  18. ^ "Russian Military Aircrew Numbers Tumble". Aviationweek.com. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  19. ^ Reuters.com, One-third Russian fighter jets old and unsafe: report Friday, 6 February 2009 5:40 am EST
  20. ^ "Russian Military Weakness Increases Importance of Strategic Nuclear Forces". Cdi.org. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  21. ^ "Russia upgrades bomber-ALCM force for 21st century". Upi.com. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  22. ^ RIAN, Sukhoi signs record $2.5 bln deal with Russian defence ministry, August 2009
  23. ^ "18 September 2009". Asbarez.com. 10 February 1995. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  24. ^ Reuben F Johnson, Russian consortium to develop PAK-FA engine, Jane's Defence Weekly, 19 April 2010
  25. ^ John Pike. "Russian fighter jets make first ever nonstop flight across Russia to Far East". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  26. ^ "Радиостанция "Эхо Москвы" / Передачи / Военный совет / Суббота, 14.08.2010: Александр Зелин". Echo.msk.ru. Retrieved 1 June 2011. 
  27. ^ Moscow Defense Brief #2, 2010 page 23
  28. ^ http://www.sdelanounas.ru/blogs/25568/
  29. ^ Dmitry Gorenburg, Air Force Structure, February 7, 2011
  30. ^ http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/30685/
  31. ^ http://en.rian.ru/military_news/20100713/159797767.html
  32. ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/russian-air-force-pilot-flies-pak-fa-for-first-time-385182/?cmpid=SOC%257CFGFG%257Ctwitterfeed%257CFlightglobal
  33. ^ http://www.lenta.ru/news/2012/11/22/su30sm/
  34. ^ http://bmpd.livejournal.com/519836.html
  35. ^ "Russia Orders 30 Su-30SM Fighters | Defense | RIA Novosti". En.rian.ru. 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  36. ^ http://bmpd.livejournal.com/410931.html
  37. ^ http://www.sukhoi.org/files/su_smi_29-08-07.pdf
  38. ^ "Russian Air Force Gets First Six Su-35S Fighter Jets". en.rian.ru/. 28-12-2012. 
  39. ^ http://www.newsru.com/russia/02dec2011/su35.html
  40. ^ Армс-Тасс. "Армс-Тасс" (in (Russian)). Armstass.su. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  41. ^ http://topwar.ru/26707-bondarev-novyy-perehvatchik-na-smenu-mig-31-vvs-rf-ozhidayut-k-2020-godu.html
  42. ^ http://ria.ru/defense_safety/20121211/914254305.html
  43. ^ http://topwar.ru/21946-modernizirovannye-mig-31-zastupili-na-dezhurstvo-pod-krasnoyarskom.html
  44. ^ http://www.1tv.ru/news/techno/222979
  45. ^ "нПСФХЕ: ббя пНЯЯХХ ОНКСВЮР 60 ОЕПЕУБЮРВХЙНБ лХц-31ал". Lenta.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  46. ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?ItemID=26061
  47. ^ "нПСФХЕ: ббя пНЯЯХХ СЯЙНПЪР ЛНДЕПМХГЮЖХЧ АНЛАЮПДХПНБЫХЙНБ яС-24". Lenta.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  48. ^ "нПСФХЕ: ббя пНЯЯХХ ЯОХЬСР АНЛАЮПДХПНБЫХЙХ яС-24 Й 2020 ЦНДС". Lenta.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  49. ^ alexeyvvo 3 октября, 17:49. "alexeyvvo - Третья авиабаза Су-25СМ". Alexeyvvo.livejournal.com. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  50. ^ http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/29091/?pid=288757#288757
  51. ^ http://topwar.ru/27642-pervyy-su-34-peredan-vvs-rossii-po-gosoboronzakazu-2013-g.html
  52. ^ "Russian Air Force receives first Su-34 bomber". english.pravda.ru/. 06-05-2013. 
  53. ^ "нПСФХЕ: лХМХЯРЕПЯРБН НАНПНМШ ЙСОХКН 92 АНЛАЮПДХПНБЫХЙЮ яС-34". Lenta.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  54. ^ "Ту-22М3 сделают убийцу ЕвроПРО Ради высокоточной ракеты бомбардировщику поменяют всю электронику - ВПК.name". Vpk.name. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  55. ^ "Сделано у нас - Итоги 2011 года в картинках: ВВС - часть 2". Sdelanounas.ru. 2012-01-14. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  56. ^ http://www.aviastar-sp.ru/aviastar_ru/index.htm
  57. ^ http://bmpd.livejournal.com/516420.html
  58. ^ http://topwar.ru/23871-vta-do-2020-goda-poluchit-17-samoletov-an-70.html
  59. ^ "Министр обороны Российской Федерации Анатолий Сердюков и президент ОАО "Объединенная авиастроительная корпорация" подписали государственный контракт на поставку военно-транспортных самолетов : Министерство обороны Российской Федерации". Function.mil.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  60. ^ a b c d e f g h i "World Air Forces 2010". Page 23. Flightglobal.com, 31 July 2011.
  61. ^ "World Air Forces 2013". Flightglobal Insight. 2013. Retrieved 12 April 2013. 
  62. ^ http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/26758/
  63. ^ "ВПК - "Авиакор" передал очередной Ан-140 Министерству Обороны РФ". Kotobood.livejournal.com. 2012-06-22. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  64. ^ "ИТАР-ТАСС : ВВС России получили второй транспортный самолет Ан-140-100" (in (Russian)). Itar-tass.com. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  65. ^ "Сегодня ВВС РФ получат первые шесть самолетов Як-130 » Военное обозрение". Topwar.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  66. ^ http://bmpd.livejournal.com/524923.html
  67. ^ "IRKUT Corporation :: Press Release Archives :: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION AND IRKUTCORPORATION SIGNED THE CONTRACT ON 55 YAK-130 DELIVERY". Irkut.com. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  68. ^ http://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=11643116@egNews
  69. ^ http://bmpd.livejournal.com/491764.html
  70. ^ "нПСФХЕ: лХМНАНПНМШ ЙСОХКН 140 СДЮПМШУ БЕПРНКЕРНБ йЮ-52". Lenta.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  71. ^ bmpd April 18th, 1:58. "bmpd - Ми-35М в Буденновске". Bmpd.livejournal.com. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  72. ^ "Российская армия заказала 1120 вертолетов | Еженедельник "Военно-промышленный курьер"" (in (Russian)). Vpk-news.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  73. ^ "Ми-28Н - HAVOC-B (реестр вертолетов) | MilitaryRussia.Ru — отечественная военная техника (после 1945г.)". Militaryrussia.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  74. ^ "ЦАМТО / Новости / "Роствертол" передал ВВС РФ очередную партию вертолетов Ми-28Н". Armstrade.org. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  75. ^ "ВВС России получают пополнение - Началось давно обещанное перевооружение авиации". Nvo.ng.ru. 2011-03-18. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  76. ^ http://kad.arbitr.ru/PdfDocument/155401f1-140e-4a10-8ed0-7b74840c54f3/A40-91565-2012_20120927_Reshenija%20i%20postanovlenija.pdf
  77. ^ http://bmpd.livejournal.com/506463.html
  78. ^ "Вертолёты ВВС: итоги 2011 года | Армейский вестник". Army-news.ru. 2012-01-31. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  79. ^ http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/28241/
  80. ^ "Окончена постройка первых вертолетов Ка-226 для российских ВВС". Military-informant.com. 2011-04-17. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  81. ^ "Сделано у нас - Новые вертолёты Ансат-У для ВВС России". Sdelanounas.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  82. ^ http://stat.function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=11529811@egNews
  83. ^ п═я┐я│п╩п╟п╫ п⌠п╦я─я└п╟п╫п╬п╡. "Aviation EXplorer: п░п╩п╣п╨я│п╟п╫п╢я─ п≈п╣п╩п╦п╫: п║-400 п╫п╟я┤п╫п╣я┌ п╥п╟я┴п╦я┴п╟я┌я▄ пЁя─п╟п╫п╦я├я▀ п═п╬я│я│п╦п╦ п╡ 2012 пЁп╬п╢я┐". Aex.ru. Retrieved 2012-10-09. 
  84. ^ http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/28241/
  85. ^ http://bmpd.livejournal.com/491764.html
  86. ^ http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/25527/
  87. ^ http://sdelanounas.ru/blogs/25482/

Further reading [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Air force of Russia
  • Higham, Robin (editor). Russian Aviation and Air Power in the Twentieth Century. Routledge, 1998. ISBN 0-7146-4784-5
  • Palmer, Scott W. Dictatorship of the Air: Aviation Culture and the Fate of Modern Russia. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006. ISBN 0-521-85957-3

External links [edit]

Flag of the Air Force of the Russian Federation.svg Russian Air Force
Formations and units
Emblem of the Russian Air Force
Equipment
Personnel
Air forces in Europe
Sovereign states
General
Services
Independent
Departments
Former
Lists relating to aviation
General
Military
Accidents/incidents
Records
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Russian_Air_Force&oldid=556477654"