Russian Air Force

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Great coat of arms of the Russian Air Force
Flag of the Russian Air Force
Airplane cockade from 1991 to 2010
Airplane cockade since 2010
Aircraft of the Russian Air Force at the parade in Moscow in May 2008 in memory of the victory in the Great Patriotic War

The air forces of the Russian Federation ( Russian Военно-воздушные силы Российской Федерации , Woenno-wosduschnye sily Rossiskoi Federazii) are an armed force of the Armed Forces of Russia abbreviated, even WWS ( Russian ВВС , in English transliteration VVS ). They emerged from the Soviet air forces after the collapse of the Soviet Union and have been forming the air and space forces together with the space forces since 2015 . Airborne forces that still exist but are not part of the WWS are the navy subordinate sea ​​pilots and the army pilots of the army .

history

On August 1, 2015, the air forces were combined with the space forces to form the air and space forces.

organization

The Air Force of the Russian Federation emerged in 1991 from the Air Force of the Soviet Union. The air defense forces (Woiska PWO / Protiwowosduschnaja oborona ), which previously existed as an independent branch alongside the army, fleet, air force and missile troops, and which included the bulk of interceptors and ground-based air defense systems , was integrated into the air force in 1998. In 2003, the army aviation units previously assigned to the land forces were placed under the command of the air forces. The naval aviation units ( Aviazija Wojenno Morskowo Flota , AWMF), which are under the command of the Russian Navy , do not belong to the air force .

The Russian air force currently has a total strength of around 185,000 men.

Which are subordinated to the Air Force high command directly 61. Air transport army of transport air forces , the 37th Air Army (strategic) of the Long Range Aviation and the central administration, belong to the various training and research institutions.

Otherwise, the Russian air force is organizationally distributed among the six military districts as follows:

Leningrad Military District

1. Kommandowanie WWS i PWO (1st Air Force / Air Defense Command), headquarters in Saint Petersburg , formerly 6th AWWS i PWO (6th Air Army)
  • 1st BrWKO (Brigada Vozduzduzhno-Kosmicheskoi Oborony) (1st Brigade of Air Space Defense), Severomorsk Headquarters , formerly the 21st K PWO (21st Air Defense Corps), Severomorsk Headquarters
    • 6959. AB (Aviazionnaja Basa, Air Force Base) in Sawatija near Kotlas , merging of the former 458th IAP (458th Independent Fighter Regiment) in Sawatija and the 9th IAP (9th Independent Fighter Regiment) in Kilp Jawr
      • 3 interceptor squadrons with 8 MiG-31B each
      • 2 squadrons each with 6 Su-27S and
      • a training relay with 4 Su-27UB
    • 161st SRP (161st anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Severomorsk with S-300
    • 583rd SRP (583rd anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Olenogorsk near Murmansk with 2 S-300PM and 2 S-300PS
    • 1488th SRP (1488th Anti-aircraft Missile Regiment) in Zelenogorsk with 4 S-300PS
    • 1528th SRP (1528th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment) in Severodvinsk with 4 S-300PS
    • 531st SRP (531st anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Polyarny with 5 S-300PM
    • 1544th SRP (1544th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Vladimirsky with a Buk-M1 and 2 S-300W
    • 1489th SRP (1489th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Baranowo with 2 S-300PS
    • 1490th SRP (1490th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Sablino with 4 S-300PS
  • 2nd BrWKO (Brigada Vosduzduschno-Kosmitscheskoi Oborony) (2nd Brigade of Air Cosmos Defense), Tosno Headquarters , formerly 54th K PWO (54th Air Defense Corps) in Tajtsi and 149th BAP (149th Bombing Regiment), Headquarters Tajtsi
    • 6964th AB in Montschegorsk , merging of the former 174th OIAP (174th Independent Fighter Regiment) in Montschegorsk with the 722nd BAP (722nd Bombing Regiment) in Smurawjewo ( Pskov Oblast ) and the 98th ORAP (98th Independent Reconnaissance Regiment) in Montschegorsk. The 67th BAP (67th Bombing Regiment) in Siversky was disbanded.
      • 3 interceptor squadrons with 8 MiG-31BS each
      • 3 front bomber squadrons each with 8 Su-24M and
      • 3 reconnaissance squadrons with a total of 20 Su-24MR
    • 6961. AB in Bessowez near Petrozavodsk , formerly the 177th IAP (177th Fighter Regiment ) in Lodeinoje Pole
      • 6 interceptor squadrons with 6 Su-27S each (reduction to four squadrons with 6 Su-27s each planned by 2011) and
      • a training relay with 6 Su-27UB
    • 87th AB in Levaschowo near Saint Petersburg, formerly 138th OSAP (138th Independent Mixed Air Regiment) with 2 Tu-134 , 6 An-26 , 5 An-12 , 5 Mi-8
    • 6992. AB in Priblowo near Wyborg with 12 Mi-24PN and 12 Mi-8
    • 6960. AB in Alakurtti (Murmansk Oblast) with 8 Wed-24 and 8 Wed-8
    • 922. AB in Pushkin with 9 Mi-8PPA
    • 42nd SRP (42nd anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Valdai with S-300PS
    • 500th SRP (500th anti-aircraft missile regiment ) in Gostilizy with 4 S-300PM
  • 3rd BrWKO (Brigada Vozduschno-Kosmicheskoi Oborony) (3rd Brigade of Air Cosmos Defense), Kaliningrad headquarters
    • 6967th AB in Tschkalowsk , formerly 689th OIAP (689th Independent Fighter Regiment) of the Baltic Fleet and now with the Air Force
      • 6 interceptor scales with 6 Su-27 (reduction to four seasons with 6 Su-27 to 2011, and a conversion to Su-24M2 planned to 2016) and
      • a training relay with 6 Su-27UB
    • 6962. AB in Chernyakhovsk
      • 3 front bomber squadrons with 8 Su-24M each
    • 183rd SRP (183rd anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Gwardeisk with S-300
    • 43rd SRP (43rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment) in Znamensk with S-300

Moscow Military District (some information is inaccurate)

  • 4th BrWKO (Brigada Vozduschno-Kosmicheskoi Oborony) (4th Brigade of Air-Cosmos Defense), Dolgoprudny headquarters
    • 7000. AB in Voronezh with 24 Su-34s, 24 Su-24Ms, four An-30s and one Mi-8
    • 5. ODRAO (5. Independent long-distance reconnaissance group) in Voronezh with 16 An-30
    • 1729th SRP (1729th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Naro-Fominsk with two Buk-1M and two S-300W
  • 5th BrWKO (Brigada Wosduzduschno-Kosmitscheskoi Oborony) (5th Brigade of the Air-Cosmos Defense), Headquarters Petrovskoye , formerly the 16th AWWS i PWO (16th Air Army)
    • 6996th AB in Wjasma 24 Mi-24, Mi-2 and 28N 12 Mi-8
    • 6965. AB in Kaluga with 24 Wed-24 and 12 Wed-8
    • 214. OWE (independent helicopter squadron) in Kursk with 30 Wed-24 and 14 Wed-8
    • 253. OWE (independent helicopter squadron) in Kostroma with 28 Wed-24 and 17 Wed-8
    • 606th SRP (606th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Elektrostal with S-400
    • 93rd SRP (93rd anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Zvenigorod with S-400
    • 210th SRP (210th Anti-aircraft Missile Regiment) in Dmitrov with S-400
    • 390th SRP (390th Anti-aircraft Missile Regiment) in Novoye with S-300PM1
    • 226th OSAP (226th Independent Mixed Air Regiment) in Kubinka with 8 An-12, 8 An-24, 6 An-26, 13 An-30 and 44 Mi-8
  • 6th BrWKO (Brigada Wosduzduschno-Kosmitscheskoi Oborony) (6th Brigade of Air-Cosmos Defense), Rzhev headquarters , formerly 5th DPWO (5th Air Defense Division), Dorotschowo headquarters
    • 6968. AB in Khotilowo near Bologoje with 24 MiG-31B and 12 Su-27S
    • 6963. AB in Khalino near Kursk with 24 MiG-29SMT and 6 MiG-29UBT

North Caucasus Military District

4. Kommandowanie WWS i PWO (4th Command Air Force / Air Defense), headquarters in Rostov-on-Don , formerly 4th AWWS i PWO (4th Air Army) and 5th AWWS i PWO (5th Air Army)
  • 7th BrWKO (Brigada Vozduschno-Kosmitscheskoi Oborony) (7th Brigade of Air-Cosmos Defense), Rostov-on-Don headquarters
    • 6969. AB in Millerowo with 36 MiG-29 and 6 MiG-29UB, formerly the 19th IAP (19th Fighter Regiment )
    • 6970th AB in Morozovsk with 15 Su-34, 24 Su-24 and 30 Su-24M, formerly 559th BAP (559th Bombing Regiment)
    • 6970+. AB in Marinowka southwest of Volgograd with 24 Su-24MR
    • 6971. AB in Budjonnowsk with 24 Su-25SM, 6 Su-25UB, 2 Mi-28N, 20 Mi-24 and 16 Mi-8, earlier 368th SchAP (368th Attack Air Regiment) and 487th OWP (487th Independent Helicopter Regiment)
    • 6972. AB in Krymsk with 36 Su-27, 6 Su-27UB, 3 Mi-28N, 20 Mi-24, 16 Mi-8 and 4 Ka-27, formerly 3rd IAP (3rd Fighter Regiment )
    • 6973. AB in Primorsko-Akhtarsk with 24 Su-25 and 6 Su-25UB, formerly 960th SchAP (960th Attack Regiment)
    • 6974. AB in Egorlik southwest of Gorodowikowsk with 16 Mi-8 and 10 Mi-26
    • 1536th SRP (1536th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Rostov-on-Don with 3 S-300PM
    • 1537th SRP (1537th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Novorossiysk with 2 S-300PM
    • 1721st SRP (1721st anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Sochi with 2 Buk-M1
    • 3624. AB in Erebuni in Armenia with 16 MiG-29 and 2 MiG-29UB
    • 999. AB in Kant in Kyrgyzstan with 5 Su-25, 2 An-26, 5 L-39, 2 Mi-8, 2 Il-76 and 1 An-30

Volga-Urals-Siberia military district

2. Kommandowanie WWS i PWO (2nd Command Air Force / Air Defense), headquarters in Chita , formerly 14th AWWS i PWO (14th Air Army)
  • 8th BrWKO (Brigada Vozduschno-Kosmicheskoi Oborony) (8th Brigade of Air-Cosmos Defense), Kuibyshev headquarters
    • 30. AB in Kolzowo near Yekaterinburg with 4 Su-27S, 3 Tu-134, 8 An-26, 2 An-12 and 5 Mi-8
    • 6975. AB in Bobrowka near Artjomowski with 12 Mi-24, 16 Mi-8 and 6 Mi-26
    • 6976. AB in Gissar: 4 Su-25, 1 Su-25UB, 4 Mi-24, 2 Mi-8
    • 6977. AB in Bolshoye Savino near Perm with 24 MiG-31
    • 511th SRP (511th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Engels with 2 S-300PS
    • 185th SRP (185th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Yekaterinburg with 2 S-300PS
    • 568th SRP (568th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Samara with 3 S-300PS
  • 9th BrWKO (Brigada Vozduschno-Kosmitscheskoi Oborony) (9th Brigade of Air-Cosmos Defense), Novosibirsk headquarters
    • 6979th AB in Kansk with 24 MiG-31BM, formerly 712th IAP (712th Fighter Regiment )
    • 590th SRP (590th Anti-aircraft Missile Regiment) in Novosibirsk with 3 S-300PS
  • 10th BrWKO (Brigada Vozduschno-Kosmicheskoi Oborony) (10th Brigade of Air-Cosmos Defense), Chita Headquarters
    • 6982. AB at Domna military airfield near Tschita with 36 MiG-29s, 6 MiG-29UBs
    • 6980. AB in Jida near Lake Baikal with 24 Su-24M, 12 Su-24MR, 1 Mi-8
    • 6981. AB in Step near Jasnogorsk with 24 Su-25s, 6 Su-25UBs, formerly 266th SchAP (266th attack aircraft regiment)
    • 6978th ​​AB in Berdsk : 20 Mi-24 and 12 Mi-8, formerly 337th OWP (337th Independent Helicopter Regiment)
    • 320th AB in Nerchinsk with 8 Wed-8
    • 1534th SRP (1534th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment) in Angarsk with 3 S-300PS
    • 1722th SRP (1722th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Pervomaiski with 2 S-300W
    • 388th SRP (388th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Achinsk with 3 S-300PS
    • 1723th SRP (1723th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Jida near Lake Baikal with 2 Buk-M1

Far East military district

3. Kommandowanie WWS i PWO (2nd Command Air Force / Air Defense), headquarters in Khabarovsk , formerly 11th AWWS i PWO (11th Air Army)
  • 11th BrWKO (Brigada Vozduschno-Kosmitscheskoi Oborony) (11th Brigade of Air-Cosmos Defense), Komsomolsk-amur headquarters
    • 6983. AB in Wosschajewka near Blagoveschensk with 36 Su-25, 6 Su-25UB, 4 Ka-50, 12 Mi-24 and 12 Mi-8
    • 6985. AB in Warfolomejewka ( Primorye Region ) with 24 Su-24M and 24 Su-24MR
    • 6986. AB in Garowka near Khabarovsk with 20 Mi-8 and 4 Mi-26
    • 6987. AB in Dzemgi near Komsomolsk on the Amur with 2 Su-35, 24 Su-27SM and 6 Su-27UB
    • 6988. AB in Churba near Komsomolsk am Amur with 24 Su-24M2 and 24 Su-24M
    • 265. AB in Khabarovsk with 1 Tu-154, 1 Tu-134, 6 An-26, 1 An-24 and 15 An-12
    • 101st OWO (1010th helicopter group) in Sokol near Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk with 6 Wed-8
    • 1530th SRP (1530th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Komsomolsk-on-Amur with 5 S-300PS
    • 1529th SRP (1529th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Khabarovsk with 3 S-300PS
  • 12th BrWKO (Brigada Vozduschno-Kosmicheskoi Oborony) (12th Brigade of Air-Cosmos Defense), Headquarters Vladivostok
    • 6989. AB in Zentralnaja Uglewaja near Artyom with 12 MiG-31B, 24 Su-27SM and 6 Su-27UB
    • 1533th SRP (1533th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Vladivostok: 1 S-400, S-300PS
  • 14. BrWKO (Brigada Wosduschno-Kosmitscheskoi Oborony) (14th Brigade of the air defense Cosmos) headquarters Yelizovo
    • 6990. AB in Jelisowo with 36 MiG-31B, 2 An-12, 2 An-26 and 2 Mi-8
    • 6984. AB in Ukrainka near Seryshevo with 12 Mi-24 and 12 Mi-8
    • 317th OSAP (317th Independent Mixed Air Regiment) in Jelisowo with 8 Il-38, 12 Tu-142MR, 24 Ka-27, 25 Ka-29
    • 589th SRP (589th anti-aircraft missile regiment) in Nakhodka with 3 S-300PS

37th WASN (Strategic Air Army)

The strategic long-range air force, also known as the 37th Air Army (37 Vozduschnaja Armija), comprises Russia's strategic long-range bombers, which can also be equipped with nuclear weapons in the event of war. The current command is Major General Anatoly Sheikharev.

With the handover of the new bombers Tu-160 M Valentin Blisnjuk on 5 June 2006 and a further modernized Tu-160M are after the disaster of Mikhail Gromov on 23 September 2003, in which the four-man crew was killed, once again 15 Tu-160 supersonic strategic bombers in service. Another new Tu-160M ​​flew for the first time on December 28, 2007. An unknown number is to be upgraded to the Tu-160M. The upgrade now also includes the possibility of the use of air-to-ground missiles Ch-29L, Ch-29T, Ch-25ML or Ch-25MD, anti-radar missile Ch-25MP, Ch-58 or Ch-31P, anti-ship missiles Ch-35 or Ch -41, cruise missiles Ch-65, guided bombs KAB-1 500 and KAB-500KR. It is possible to increase the stock to up to 30 machines with two to three machines per year. They should remain in use until 2040. The 70 Tupolev Tu-95 MS-16 and Tu-95MS-6 are not from the 1950s. All of these machines were built and delivered between 1988 and 1992. An upgrade program called the Tu-95MSM is being planned. The Tu-22M3 will soon only fly in two regiments, as one of the three active regiments, the 444th Bombing Regiment, will be assigned to the active reserve in 2007. It is therefore unclear whether the upgrade to Tu-22M5 offered by the Tupolev PSC will still be implemented, as many Tu-22M3s are to be replaced primarily by Su-34s . The fleet of long-distance pilots also includes 20 Il-78 and Il-78M tankers . They are the only tankers in the Russian Air Force, a loophole that could be catastrophic in an emergency. With the Il-96-400TM project, launched in 2006 and expected to be ready for flight in 2009, the Russian air force is to receive a new generation of tanker aircraft. The delivery of 40 to 60 machines is planned. There are also plans to convert older Sukhoi Su-24 Ms into fast tanker aircraft (Su-24Ms can refuel each other with UPAS containers).

Since July 2007, Russian long-range bombers have been flying missions beyond Russian territory again - as was the case during the Soviet Union - for the first time since the end of the Cold War , including from the Engels-2 military airfield . A Tupolev Tu-95 (NATO code "Bear") flew from Blagoveshchensk to the US Air Force Base Guam in the Pacific. Colonel-General Alexander Zelin announced that in the future he would have alarm groups with up to 20 bombers in the air at the same time.

In addition, a Tu-95MS flew in mid-July 2007 together with two Tu-160 bombers and an Ilyushin Il-78 Midas tanker in the international airspace between Norway and Great Britain and were hit by tornado fighter planes of the British Royal Air Force and F-16 Monitored fighter jets of the Norwegian Air Force.

Since September 5, 2007, the Russian Air Force has been flying the patrol flights, which were unilaterally discontinued in 1992, over the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, and thanks to aerial refueling, they remain in the air for up to 17 hours. There are currently eight machines in the air. They are always accompanied by NATO fighter jets on their flights.

Structure from 2010

Komandovaniye DA
  • 6950th AB in Engels with 16 Tu-160 and 15 Tu-95MS-6 , previously 121st and 184th TBAP (Heavy Bombing Regiment)
  • 6951th AB in Solzy with 48 Tu-22M3 , formerly 52nd and 840th TBAP (Heavy Bombing Regiment)
  • 6952. AB in Ukrainka near Seryshevo with 36 Tu-95MS-6, formerly 79th TBAP and 182nd TBAP (Heavy Bombing Regiment)
  • 6953. AB in Belaja near Usolye-Sibirskoye with 30 Tu-22M3, 2 Tu-22MR, 2 Tu-134UBL, 1 An-12, 1 An-26 and 1 An-30B, formerly the 200th and 444th TBAP (Heavy Bombing Regiment )
  • 6954. AB in Djagilewo near Ryazan with 22 Il-78M
  • 43. ZBP i PLS in Ryazan with 4 Tu-22M3, 4 Tu-95MS and 8 Tu-134UBL
  • 1449. AB in Tambow with 10 Tu-134, 8 An-26
  • 199. AB in Tiksi with 5 An-12 and 5 Wed-8

modernization

The Russian Air Force has slowly been modernized on a fairly large scale since 2001. The aim was to use new units for at least half of the inventory and modernized units for the other half.

WWS i PWO (Air Force / Air Defense)

The development of the new 5th generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter took a long time. After India entered the program, the first flight was postponed to 2009. The arrival of the MiG-31BM was also delayed. After tests with two aircraft, a third MiG-31 was retrofitted in 2007, which should take into account the experience from the tests. The MiG-31BM gets the Zaslon-AM weapon control system with a tracking range of 320 km and a target acquisition range of 280 km. Other upgrades include LCD MFDs in both cockpits and the long-range air-to-air missile R-37M with a range of more than 200 km. Furthermore, this mixture of interceptor and fighter-bomber can be air-to-surface missiles Ch-59 , Ch-59M , Ch-29T , anti-ship missiles Ch-31A , anti-radar missiles Ch-25MP , Ch-25MPU or Ch-31P, guided bombs KAB-1500 or eight Carry steering bombs KAB-500. In 2007 the WWS gave the green light to modernize the existing MiG-31B to the BM standard. Six regiments are currently flying 223 MiG-31DZ, MiG-31B and MiG-31BS versions. All should be equally equipped with 24 machines by 2015 in order to achieve a uniform strength and save money. That adds up to 144 machines plus those that fly in the training and test centers.

  • 458th IAP in Savatija with 34 MiG-31B
  • 174. Gw. OIAP in Montschegorsk with 33 MiG-31BS
  • 790th Gw. IAP in Chotilowo with 41 MiG-31B
  • 764th IAP in Bolshoye Savino with 31 MiG-31B
  • 712th IAP in Kansk with 29 MiG-31DZ
  • 865. OIAP in Jelisowo with 24 MiG-31B
  • 530th IAP in Chugujewka with 31 MiG-31B

1000 new helicopters and 800 aircraft are to be put into service by 2020.

There is a similar upgrade with the upgrade of the old Su-27P and Su-27S to the Su-27SM. Six regiments fly 170 Su-27s in four modifications. Since the end of 2006 (six aircraft delivered), 24 Su-27SM have been flying at the 23rd IAP on the AB Chemgi near Komsomolsk. The choice of the base just around the corner was probably due to its proximity to the plant in the event that repairs were necessary. It is not for nothing that the WWS say that the service is best at the 23rd IAP. From July 10 to 12, 2007, the Su-27SM of the 23rd IAP took part in the Krylo-2007 maneuver, during which they trained to land on the Khabarovsk-Komsomolsk highway. On December 12, 2007, the first three of a further 24 Su-27SM were handed over to the 22nd IAP. By the end of 2008, 24 planes are also to be flying here. The modernization is taking place at KnAAPO in Komsomolsk na Amur.

  • 9. IAP in Kilp Jawr with 28 Su-27P
  • 177th IAP in Lodeinoje Pole with 29 Su-27S
  • 61st IAP in Dorotschowo with 30 Su-27P
  • 3rd IAP in Krimskaya in 35 Su-27S
  • 22nd IAP in Zentralnaja Uglewaja with 24 Su-27SM
  • 23rd IAP in Dsemgi with 24 Su-27SM

The MiG-29SMT program is implemented with one regiment. There are 24 machines that were supposed to be delivered to Algeria, but were returned due to quality defects. The operational regiments with MiG-29s have been radically reduced from eight to five since 2004. It would even be possible to purchase the MiG-29M2 or the MiG-35 as an interim solution until the Suchoi Su-57 can be introduced.

  • 28th IAP in Kubinka with 70 MiG-29
  • 14th IAP in Kursk with 45 MiG-29
  • 31st IAP in Sernograd with 54 MiG-29
  • 19th IAP in Millerowo with 51 MiG-29
  • 120th IAP in Domna with 46 MiG-29

The first two Su-34s were handed over on December 19, 2006 . For the first time since 1993, the air force received a new fighter-bomber. After the Rote 01 was finally handed over to the 4th ZBL i PLS in Lipetsk on July 31, 2007 , the Rote 02 had completed its flight tests. The six machines ordered for 2007 were not delivered. The reason is not a budget that is too tight, but a conversion at the manufacturer NAPO, who had to relocate the An-38 production line to Omsk in order to be able to build Su-34 and modernize Su-24 at the same time. For 2008 five (instead of the announced ten) Su-34s were planned, which were already in the flight test and are to be handed over in the course of the year. 200 machines are planned by 2020 and beyond, but this is only possible if 15 to 20 machines are built per year.

The Su-24M2 is a variant from a modernization program that brings the Su-24M up to the level of the most modern Su-30 variants in terms of weapon technology. The machines will receive, among other things, new GLONASS -compatible navigation systems, improved systems for electronic warfare and weapons control systems that enable the use of the most modern air-to-ground guided weapons in all-weather operations. The first Su-24M2 for the Russian armed forces were brought to Lipetsk on August 15, 2006. On December 25, 2007, the first six Su-24M2 were handed over to the 302nd BAP.

  • 722nd BAP in Smurawjewo with 29 Su-24M
  • 67th BAP in Siwerski with 37 Su-24M
  • 455th BAP in Voronezh with 34 Su-24s
  • 1st Gw. BAP in Lebjaschje with 49 Su-24
  • 559th BAP in Morossovsk with 30 Su-24s
  • 959th BAP in Yeisk with 32 Su-24s
  • 2nd Gw. BAP in Tschita with 28 Su-24M
  • 21st BAP in Bada with 28 Su-24M
  • 277th BAP in Churba with 30 Su-24M
  • 302nd BAP in Pereyaslwsk with 20 Su-24M2
  • 523rd BAP in Wosschajewka with 30 Su-24

On December 28, 2006, the first six Su-25SMs were handed over in Kubinka. The upgrade includes a major modernization of avionics to improve navigation and targeting accuracy for precision strikes. Air combat missiles from the R-73 series and medium-range missiles R-27R and R-77 can now also be carried via helmet visors . The PrNK-25 Bars weapon control system now links all sensors, including the Klijon-PS laser target illuminator . The payload increased from 4000 to 5000 kg. The Su-25UBM is intended to continue the Su-25 family as a two-seater fighter aircraft for the Su-25SM. On February 22nd, 2008 the first soil tests began. The first flight took place on December 6, 2008. A nine to twelve month long test followed. The introduction to the troops was due for 2010. The machines at UUAZ in Ulan-Ude are modernized, but they can also be built from scratch. The avionics and armament will be identical to those of the Su-25SM, upgrades etc. a. follow the Su-25UTG. In contrast to the Su-25UB, the Su-25UBM is fully combat-capable and capable of precision strikes. The WWS are planning two regiments for the modernization with Su-25SM / UBM.

  • 899. SchAP in Buturlinowka with 40 Su-25 and 12 Su-25UB
  • 461st SchAP in Krasnodar with 26 Su-25, and 8 Su-25UB
  • 368th SchAP in Budyonnowsk with 20 Su-25SM
  • 960th SchAP in Primorsko-Akhtarsk with 26 Su-25 and 8 Su-25UB
  • 266. SchAP in Step with 22 Su-25 and 8 Su-25UB
  • 18. SchAP in Galenki with 33 Su-25 and 9 Su-25UB
  • 187th SchAP in Tschernigowka with 29 Su-25 and 7 Su-25UB

The first five Mi-28N attack helicopters were also delivered at the end of 2007 . 67 machines of this type are to be purchased by 2015. Russia now has a modern attack helicopter that is comparable to American and European models. In addition, extensive modernization is planned for at least 100 Mi-24s . Mi-24PNs that were capable of night combat and equipped with components from the Mi-28N were also delivered.

Ministry of Interior and Spetsnaz

The special forces get the most modern equipment. Although there are still no concrete indications, there are increasing rumors about the procurement of some Su-25TM and Su-39 . By 2010, the special forces will receive twelve Ka-50s and five Ka-52s .

Transport Aviation Forces (61st Air Army)

The Il-76 fleet is large, with more Il-76MDs in service. The Russian-Ukrainian project of the An-70 was discontinued in 2014. The Tupolev Tu-330 WT, a transporter that could also be used as a tanker, is in the development stage . The Il-112 is also under development as a light transport aircraft.

Naval Aviation Forces

The Tu-142 remains, as the Tu-142M. It can use both torpedoes and anti-ship missiles. There is a similar project with the Il-38 . With the military version of the Be-220 , the aircraft manufacturer Beriev is offering a completely new concept. The naval aviators would receive the Nowella mission system (MAD, sonar buoys , IR camera) for surveillance of the sea area . As armament, anti-ship missiles Ch-35U and torpedoes come into consideration. Another program suggests converting the Su-27UB trainers to the Su-30KN anti-ship version until the Su-34 can also be introduced here. The previous Tu-22M3 are already too old and urgently need to be replaced. In addition, all 19 Su-33s of the flight deck cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov are to be modernized. A subsequent procurement of the MiG-29K appears possible.

Training pilots

The introduction of the urgently needed Jak-130 began in 2010, this year the first series machine, of the planned 65 units, was put into service. The MiG-AT will not be procured . The 90 two-seater Su-27UB fighter aircraft are all to be modified in order to ensure later training on Su-27SM or Su-27SM2. Although there is no sign of an introduction to the MiG-29SMT, there is great interest in their cheaper trainer version, the MiG-29UBT, which can be converted into a multi-purpose fighter thanks to improved weapon control systems. 30 new acquisitions and around 90 modernizations are planned. While Russian fighter pilots only flew around 20 to 30 hours a year until 2001, it is now around 120 hours for long-distance pilots and 140 hours for fighter pilots.

staff

Like the other branches of the Russian army, the air force has to contend with massive problems in the personnel area. Corruption, violence and humiliation towards subordinates as well as low wages lead to bad morals and critical problems with young talent. For 2007 it was decided to increase the defense budget by around 2 billion euros, a large part of which is to be used to improve the living standards of members of the armed forces (housing construction and renovation programs and pay increases).

Summary

According to Russian experts, before 2009, 57 percent of the aircraft and helicopters had exceeded their target operating hours, were serviced as required and their operating hours were periodically extended. 55 percent of the planes and helicopters had been in service for more than 15 years, 40 percent for five to ten years. Calculations by Russian specialists said that by 2009 around 2,300 aircraft and 1,300 helicopters will have to be retired. In order to maintain combat strength and to be able to fulfill the tasks set, annual supplies of around 120 modernized aircraft and 70 helicopters will be necessary over the next 20 years; a supply of at least 60 new aircraft and 50 helicopters is required.

It was recognized that the first option, i.e. the reduction of the aircraft fleet, would only worsen the whole problem, because the aircraft currently intended for use do not meet the security needs of the country by far.

A plan up to 2015 envisaged equipping every fighter regiment with 24 and every bomb and attack regiment with 20 aircraft. For modernizations, those machines with a few flying hours are always selected. Although this results in a further radical reduction in clout, it also saves money that can later be spent on new acquisitions.

By 2015 the WWS will have reached their absolute minimum strength. The machines of the pure operational regiments are listed.

  • a regiment with Tu-160M ​​(24 machines)
  • two regiments with Tu-95MS-6 / MSM (48 machines)
  • two regiments with Tu-22M3 (48 machines)
  • six regiments with MiG-31B / BM (144 machines)
  • six regiments with Su-27P / S / SM (144 machines)
  • four regiments with MiG-29A / S (96 machines)
  • two regiments with Su-34s (40 machines)
  • nine regiments with Su-24M / M2 (180 machines)
  • seven regiments with Su-25SM / UBM (140 machines)

That makes:

  • 72 strategic bombers
  • 48 tactical bombers
  • 384 hunters
  • 220 fighter or front bombers
  • 140 attack aircraft

Modernization is progressing despite further financial problems. The aim is to have one modernized fighter pilot, one bomber pilot and one attack pilot regiment per military district, combined to form rapid task forces. The gradual obsolescence of the units makes extensive modernization essential. However, it is not a massive armament, as has been widely claimed in the media recently. An excessive increase in the numbers of the WWS is not to be expected. Rather, the trend is towards a modern, smaller, mobile, but still powerful air force.

inventory

Su-34 (2012)
Ka-52 (2012)
Mi-8MTW-5 (2012)
Il-76MD (2012)

The inventory consists of around 5,000 aircraft and helicopters, of which more than 4,000 are in active use. They can be divided into the following categories:

Multipurpose fighter aircraft
Suchoi Su-27 / Su-33 "Flanker" ≈ 261 (101SM) + 52UB
Mikoyan-Gurewitsch MiG-29 / SMT "Fulcrum-C" ≈ 266 +120 reserve + 28SMT +50 trainers
Interceptor Mikoyan-Gurewitsch MiG-31 / BM "Foxhound-B" ≈ 173 + 50BM +100 reserve
Fighter bomber / tact. spotter Sukhoi Su-34 "Fullback" 67, 124 by 2020
Suchoi Su-24 M / M2 "Fencer-D" ≈ 347 fighter bombers + 170 scout +120 reserve
Sukhoi Su-25 / SM "Frogfoot" ≈ 198
Medium-range bombers Tupolev Tu-22M 3 / MR / M3M "Backfire-C" ≈ 113
Strategic bombers Tupolev Tu-160 "Blackjack" ≈ 18-25 (since 2008)
Tupolev Tu-95 MS6 / MS16 "Bear" ≈ 63
AWACS Beriev A-50 M "Mainstay" 20th
Ilyushin Il-86 WKP "Maxdome" 4th
Transport aircraft Ilyushin Il-76 MD "Candid" ≈ 210
Antonov An-124 "Condor" 12
Antonov An-72 "Coaler" ≈ 35
Tupolev Tu-134 A / Tu-134UB-L / Tu-134UB-K "Crusty" ≈ 30
Ilyushin Il-62 MK "Classic" 3
Air refueling aircraft Ilyushin Il-78 / Il-78M "Midas" ≈ 20
Attack helicopter Kamow Ka-50 "Hokum-A" 8th
Kamow Ka-52 "Hokum-B" ≈ 92 (+140 ordered, delivery by 2020)
Mil Mi-28 N "Havoc" 102 (+ 110 Mi-28NM ordered, delivery by 2020)
Mil Mi-24 K / Rch / P / PN / W and Mi-35M "Hind-G / E / F" ≈ 479 +150 reserve
Transport helicopter Mil Mi-26 "Halo" ≈ 41
Mil Mi-8 MT / Mi-8MTV-5 / Mi-8AMTSh "Hip" ≈ 450 + ≈170 in reserve
Kamow Ka-226 T "Sergej" 26th
Kazan "Ansat" ≈36

The company's machines, e.g. B. the demonstrator machines Su-35, are still fully combat-ready and are placed under the command of the air force in the event of an attack.

Calls

After thorough preparation, the Federation Council approved a military operation in Syria on September 30, 2015 , which, according to Russian sources, was an "anti-terror operation"; According to their information, positions of the IS were attacked, according to other information, positions of a moderate group with the name "Tajamu Alezzah" or the "Tajammu al-Izzah" belonging to the Free Syrian Army were hit near Homs on the first day . According to Senator McCain, "CIA-backed rebels" were attacked. During the long-term mission that followed, fighter-bombers and ground attack aircraft of the type Sukhoi Su-24, Sukhoi Su-25, Sukhoi Su-30SM and Sukhoi Su-34 were deployed, as well as their troops belonging to the object protection of the air force base, as well as special reconnaissance troops and military police units .

On November 24, 2015, a Su-24 was shot down by 2 Turkish F-16s . Turkey warned the Sukhoi crew about ten times for more than five minutes before the order to shoot them was given. However, the Su-24M2 was probably only a few seconds over Turkish territory, if at all. According to the Turkish representation, the Su-24 is said to have stayed in Turkish airspace for 17 seconds together with another Russian fighter aircraft. According to the Russian representation, the Su-24 did not violate Turkish airspace. The two pilots were initially able to save themselves with the ejection seat, but were shot at by rebels with handguns while they were hanging on the parachute. At least one of the two pilots was killed. Another Russian military man was killed in the search and rescue operation when one of the two Mil Mi-8 helicopters was shot at by the rebels with an anti-tank guided missile.

See also

literature

  • Dieter Stammer: The armed forces of the Russian Federation after the 2010 armed forces reform. Issue 1: Air forces, airborne troops, strategic missile troops, cosmic troops . Elbe-Dnjepr, Klitzschen 2010, ISBN 978-3-940541-24-6 .

Web links

Commons : Russian Air Force  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Elizabeth Zolotukhina: Russia's new Aerospace Forces: Effective at countering the Kremlin's key perceived threats?
  2. ^ RIA Novosti : NATO sends fighter jets to Russia's patrol bombers September 6, 2007
  3. ^ RIA Novosti: Russian Air Force expects massive offspring in jets and helicopters , August 6, 2013
  4. ↑ [1]
  5. ↑ [2]
  6. ↑ Andrew Roth, Brian Murphy, Missy Ryan: Russia begins airstrikes in Syria; US warns of new concerns in conflict , Washington Post September 30, 2015, viewed September 30, 2015
  7. ↑ Shaun Walker, Kareem Shaheen, Martin Chulov, Spencer Ackerman and Julian Borger: Russia launches first airstrikes against targets in Syria , The Guardian of September 30, 2015, sighted on September 30, 2015
  8. ↑ Tom LoBianco: McCain: Russian airstrikes target CIA-backed rebels. In: edition.cnn.com. CNN, accessed on October 1, 2015 (English): "Their initial strikes were against the individuals and the groups that have been funded and trained by our CIA, in a credible flaunting of any kind of cooperation or effort to conceal what (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's priority is - and that is, of course, to prop up (Syrian President) Bashar Assad "
  9. ^ Turkey and Russia. Fighter jets riddle over Syria. In: spiegel.de. November 24, 2015, accessed November 24, 2015 .
  10. ↑ Turkey downs Russian warplane near Syria border, Putin warns of 'serious consequences'. In: reuters.com. November 24, 2015, accessed November 24, 2015 .
  11. ↑ Turkey shoots down fighter jet from Russia. In: shz.de. November 24, 2015, accessed November 24, 2015 .
  12. ↑ Shot down fighter plane. Russia declares one of the pilots dead. In: faz.net. November 24, 2015, accessed November 24, 2015 .