Russian Air Force

Военно-воздушные cилы России
Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii
Russian Air Force
Emblem of the Russian Air Force
Flag of the Russian Air Forces
Active
Country Russian Federation
(previously the Soviet Union and Russian Empire)
Role Defeating enemy units, reconnaissance, defence of major military units and facilities
Size 180,000 personnel
2,800 aircraft
Anniversaries August 12
Commanders
Current
commander		 Colonel General Alexander Zelin
Insignia
Roundel Russia new alternate roundel.svg[1][2]
Former Roundel (still in widespread use) URSS-Russian aviation red star.svg

The Russian Air Force (Russian: Военно-воздушные cилы России, transliteration: Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii) is the air force of Russia. With 2,800 aircraft, it is the second largest Air Force in the world. 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 May 7, 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. It remains to be seen whether such extra financial resources can be translated into combat capability in terms of well trained pilots, flying well maintained aircraft with ample training resources.

Contents

History

Further information: Imperial Russian Air Force and Soviet Air Forces

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union into its fifteen constituent republics in December 1991, the aircraft and personnel of the Soviet Air Force - 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 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.

Events since 2000

An Air Force Su-25 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 Chechniya on August 19, 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 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 miles) 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 Rocket Forces
Ground Forces Russian Space Forces
Ground Forces Russian Airborne Troops
Other troops
Naval Infantry
Naval Aviation
Missiles and Artillery Agency
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, similar to the listing below.[17] Eventually Aviation Week & Space Technology comfirmed that the reorganisation would be completed by December 2009 and would see a 40 percent reduction in aircrew numbers.[18]

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".[19] 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.[20]

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.[21]

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.[22]

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. While this proposal was rejected in the Federation Council, pictures exist showing some aircraft have had the three-colour insignia applied.

In July 2010, Russian jet fighters made the first nonstop flights from European Russia to the Russian Far East.[23]

USN Adm. James A. Winnefeld, Jr. said that NORAD did not send jet fighters to intercept every flight of Russian bombers near their airspace because they didn't wish to feed Russia's propaganda about their illusion of power.[24]

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. [25]

As of 15 August 2010, the Russian Air Force has temporarily grounded its fleet of Su-25 ground attack jets 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 Airport 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.

Ranks and Insignia

Structure

Medium emblem of the Russian Air Force

This order of battle is reproduced from Air Forces Monthly's July & August 2007 editions.

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. This listing is not up to date. Warfare.ru maintains what appears to be a reasonably up to date listing.

Forces of central subordination of the Russian Air Force

Training Units

Special Purpose Command, HQ Moscow, Moscow Military District

1st Command of VVS and PVO, Leningrad Military District (former 6th Army of VVS and PVO)

2nd Command of VVS and PVO, Far East Military District (former 11th Army of VVS and PVO)

3rd Command of VVS and PVO, Siberian Military District (former 14th Army of VVS and PVO)

4th Air and Air Defence Forces Command, North Caucasus Military District (former 4th and 5th Armies of VVS and PVO)

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)

Command of Long Range Aviation - HQ at Moscow

Command of Military Transport Aviation - Moscow

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

Aircraft Inventory

The listing of aircraft numbers below is based on warfare.ru.[26] The Russian Air Force operates around 2,135 aircraft of all types. This includes 1,395 fixed wing combat aircraft, 166 strategic bombers and 400 attack helicopters. As of yet some of the craft listed below as combat craft have been converted into trainers. Due to these modifications along with the retirement of some aircraft, this brings the total number of combat aircraft to around 1,100. [27]

Aircraft Photo Origin Type Versions Numbers In Service[26] Comments
Combat aircraft
Sukhoi Su-27 Su-27 on landing.jpg USSR Air Superiority Fighter Su-27SM 332 [28]
Sukhoi Su-30 Russian Air Force Su-30.jpg Russia Strike Fighter Su-30M 12 [28]
Sukhoi Su-35BM Sukhoi Su-35 on the MAKS-2009 (01).jpg Russia Air Superiority Fighter Su-35BM 11 48 to be delivered by 2015 with first delivery in 2011. [1]
Mikoyan MiG-29 Mig-29 on landing.jpg USSR Multirole Fighter MiG-29SM 270 [28]
Mikoyan MiG-31 MiG-31 Foxhound.jpg USSR Interceptor MiG-31M 256[28] A project to upgrade the fleet to MiG31-BM standard is nearing completion.[29]
Sukhoi Su-34 Russian Air Force Su-34.jpg Russia Fighter-bomber Su-34 16 [30] 58 to be delivered by 2012[31]
Sukhoi Su-24 Sukhoi Su-24.jpg USSR Tactical Fighter/Bomber Su-24M2 314 [26]
Mikoyan MiG-35 MiG-35 airliners net.jpg Russia Multi-Role Fighter MiG-35D 0 MiG-35 is currently in development, 10 prototypes by 2011 Ref
Sukhoi Su-25 Russian Air Force Su-25.jpg USSR Close Air Support Su-25/Su-25UB/Su-25BM ~200 80 awaiting modernization to reach Su-25SM (~20 Su-25SM already modernized).[32] As of 16 August 2010 The Russian Air force has temporarily grounded all Su-25's pending investigation of a crash during a training mission. [33]
Total Combat aircraft 1,395
Bomber Aircraft
Tupolev Tu-22M Tupolev Tu-22m3.jpg USSR Strategic bomber Tu-22M3 84 [26]
Tupolev Tu-95 Tupolev Tu-95 in flight.jpg USSR Strategic bomber Tu-95MS 64 64 (37th Air Army), modernization of 35 to reach Tu-95MSM
Tupolev Tu-160 Tu-160 at MAKS 2007.jpg USSR Strategic bomber Tu-160M 18 16 (37th Air Army), modernization to reach Tu-160M
Total Bomber aircraft 170
Trainer Aircraft
Yakovlev Yak-130 Yak130MAKS.jpg Russia Training Yak-130 4 62 ordered, first aircraft to be commissioned in 2009[34]
Aero L-39 Albatros L39-at-Santa-Rosa-airshow.jpg Czechoslovakia Training L-39 1000
Total Trainer aircraft 1004
Transport Aircraft
Ilyushin Il-76 Atlant Soyuz Ilyushin Il-76 Candid A, BIAP.jpg USSR Transport IL-76MD 119 Planned modernization to reach Il-76MD-90
Ilyushin Il-112 Maquette Ilyushin Il-112.jpg Russia Light Transport Il-112V 0 18 by 2015
Antonov An-12 Kocmoc An-12 RA-12957.jpg USSR Transport An-12 Unknown
Antonov An-22 Russian Air Force An-22 in April 2007.jpg USSR Transport An-22 21 [35]
Antonov An-26 Antonov.an26.fairford.arp.jpg USSR Transport An-26 30 9 An-26, 21 An-26B
Antonov An-124 224th Flight Unit Antonov An-124.jpg USSR Transport An-124 25 14 says IISS
Antonov An-70 An-50 takeoff.jpg Ukraine Transport An-70 0 40 Ordered[36]
Total Transport Aircraft 195
Command Post
Ilyushin Il-80 Ил-87КП в полете.jpg Russia Command Post Il-80 4
Tupolev Tu-214 Russia Command Post / VIP Tu-214-100 6(ordered) 2 delivered[37]
Total Command Post 6
Aerial refueling
Ilyushin Il-78 Il-78 Midas.jpg USSR Refueling Tanker IL-78 20
Total Aerial refueling aircraft 20
Reconnaissance
Beriev A-50 Beriev A-50 color.jpg USSR AEW&C-Reconnaissance Beriev A-50 29 [38] currently being modernized to A-50M standard
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 Russian Air Force MiG-25.jpg USSR Reconnaissance MiG-25RB 42 [39]
Total Reconnaissance aircraft 71
Attack Helicopter
Kamov Ka-50 Russian Air Force Kamov Ka-50.jpg USSR Attack Helicopter Ka-50 15 [40] Serial production cancelled in favour of Ka-52.[40]
Kamov Ka-52 Ka-52 061.jpg Russia Attack Helicopter Ka-52 10 [41] Special Forces - 12 more to be purchased in 2009 [42]
Mil Mi-24 Mil Mi-24.jpg USSR Attack helicopter Mi-24 252 [43] All to be replaced within 2015 by Mi-28s[44]
Mil Mi-28 Ми-28-no-balloons.JPG Russia Attack Helicopter Mi-28 24 [45] 47 by end of 2010 and 300 by 2015
Total Attack Helicopters 301
Transport Helicopter
Mil Mi-8 MAKS-2007-Mi-8.jpg USSR Transport Helicopter Mi-8 3459
Mil Mi-26 Mil Mi-26.jpg USSR Transport Helicopter Mil Mi-26 30 [46]
Kamov Ka-60 Russian Air Force Ka-60.jpg Russia Transport Helicopter Ka-60 7 [47] 200 ordered
Total Transport Helicopters 3496
Total aircraft of all types 7,358

See also

References

  1. ↑ Правительство Российской Федерации. Постановление от 4 марта 2010 г. № 127 "О знаках государственной принадлежности на воздушных судах государственной авиации"
  2. ↑ РИА Новости "Утверждены новые знаки госпринадлежности на воздушных судах"
  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. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Russia to build fifth-generation fighter prototype soon, 8 August 2007
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 RIA Novosti, Russia to equip two air regiments with Su-34 strike planes soon, 2 August 2007
  12. ↑ http://warfare.ru/?catid=257&linkid=1615&linkname=SU-34/32FN-Fullback-Long-range-fighter-bomber
  13. ↑ BBC NEWS, Russia restarts Cold War, 17 August 2007, patrols
  14. ↑ Russia restores Soviet-era strategic bomber patrols - Putin -2 Russian News & Information Agency
  15. ↑ BBC NEWS, RAF intercepted Russian planes, 30 April 2008
  16. ↑ Warfare.ru, Air Force: structure accessed May 2009
  17. ↑ http://www.combataircraft.net/issues/latestissue.php, accessed August 2009
  18. ↑ Russian Military Aircrew Numbers Tumble
  19. ↑ Russian Military Weakness Increases Importance of Strategic Nuclear Forces
  20. ↑ Russia upgrades bomber-ALCM force for 21st century
  21. ↑ Sukhoi signs record $2.5 bln deal with Russian defense ministry
  22. ↑ Reuben F Johnson, Russian consortium to develop PAK-FA engine, Jane's Defence Weekly, 19 April 2010
  23. ↑ Russian fighter jets make first ever nonstop flight across Russia to Far East
  24. ↑ Russia's Air Defense 'Responds' To All Aircraft Near Its Airspace
  25. ↑ http://echo.msk.ru/programs/voensovet/702931-echo/
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 26.3 http://www.warfare.ru/?linkid=2180&catid=241&type=bombers
  27. ↑ http://www.warfare.ru/?linkid=2180&catid=241&type=fighters
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 http://www.warfare.ru/?linkid=2180&catid=241&type=fighters
  29. ↑ "Russian air force completing MiG-31BM modernization program". http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100813/160190708.html. Retrieved 2010-08-17. 
  30. ↑ http://www.warfare.ru/?linkid=2180&catid=241&type=attack
  31. ↑ SU-34 Fullback Long range fighter-bomber, warfare.ru, Russian Military Analisis. Retrieved on September 9, 2008.
  32. ↑ "Aircraft Profile:Su-25 Frogfoot", Air Forces Monthly magazine, July 2009 issue.
  33. ↑ http://logisticsweek.com/air/2010/08/russian-air-force-grounds-su-25-fleet-after-crash/
  34. ↑ News, Air Forces Monthly, August 2008 issue, p. 30
  35. ↑ Antonov An-22, warfare.ru, Russian Military Analisis. Retrieved on September 8, 2008.
  36. ↑ http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20100624/159560588.html
  37. ↑ The Russian bear gets restless again, Air Forces Monthly magazine, August 2009 issue, pp. 60—64
  38. ↑ AWACS/AEW&C Operators, Air Forces Monthly, August 2008 issue, p. 91
  39. ↑ Flying High, The Moscow News, April 24, 2008. retrieved on September 6, 2008.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 http://www.warfare.ru/?lang=&catid=260&linkid=1631&linkname=KA-50-Hocum/-Werewolf
  41. ↑ http://www.warfare.ru/?lang=&catid=260&linkid=1632&linkname=KA-52-Alligator
  42. ↑ http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081104/118120823.html
  43. ↑ http://www.warfare.ru/?linkid=2180&catid=241&type=helicopters
  44. ↑ Russia’s Air Force to Replace Combat Helicopters by 2015, Kommersant, October 24, 2007. Retrieved on September 9, 2008.
  45. ↑ http://www.warfare.ru/?linkid=2180&catid=241&type=helicopters
  46. ↑ Guy, Martin. A heavyweight saint, Air Forces Monthly magazine, November 2008 issue, p. 68.
  47. ↑ Kamov Ka-60, warfare.ru, Russian Military Analisis. Retrieved on September 8, 2008.

Further reading

  • 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

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