Russian Air Force

Russian Air Force
Военно-воздушные cилы России
Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii

Russian Air Force emblem
Active 1992–present
Country  Russian Federation
Role Air superiority, reconnaissance, close air support
Size 160,000 personnel (2012)[1]
Anniversaries 12 August
Engagements First Chechen War
War of Dagestan
Second Chechen War
Russo-Georgian war
Commanders
Current
commander		 Colonel General Viktor Bondarev
Insignia
Roundel

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 Viktor Bondarev. 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.

History

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 (Дейнекин, Пётр Степанович ), 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.[2] 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 money intended for other tasks.[3] 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 1.44.

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.[4] 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'.[5] General Kornukov established the new headquarters of the force in Zarya, near Balashikha, 20 km east of the centre of Moscow, in the former PVO central command post, where the CIS common air defence system is directed from.

Since 2000

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.[6]

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.[7] 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.[8]

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.[9] 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.[9]

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.[10] However, as of 2010, only 16 Su-34s are in service, and only one frontline unit has received any aircraft.[11] 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."[10]

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.[12][13] 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.[14]

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.[15] However, Combat Aircraft, in a piece by Stefan Buttner in its August–September 2009 issue, presented the order of battle as being substantially unchanged.[16] 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.[17]

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.[18] 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".[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]

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.[22] 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 Belarusian 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.[23]

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.[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 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.[26]

Since 2012

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:

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.[27]

Ranks and Insignia

The Commander-in-chief of the Russian Federation's Air Force, Lieutenant-general Viktor Bondarev

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' and NCO rank (that title has been non-existent since the 1990s).

Organization

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 Aerospace Defense Operational Strategic Command (seemingly primarily made up of the former Special Purpose Command), the Military Transport Aviation Command, and the Long Range Aviation Command.[28] 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.

Russian Air Force in 2009
Air Forces of Russia

Russian Empire

Air Force (1909–1917)

Soviet Union

Red Air Force (1918–1991)

Naval Aviation (1918–1991)

Air Defence (1948–1991)

Strategic Rocket Forces (1959–1991)

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

Training Units

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

Equipment

The following data is collected from open sources and may contain significant inaccuracies. The precise quantitative and qualitative composition of the Russian Air Force is unknown and the figures below include both serviceable and unserviceable aircraft as well as those placed into storage or sitting in reserve. According to the instructions of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in September 1, 2011, the unmanned aircraft of the RuAF and the personnel operating them moved under the command structure of the Russian Ground Forces. Therefore, the Army has overall control over the unmanned aircraft of the RuAF.[30] According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, RuAF pilots average 80 to 100 fight hours per year.[31]

Experimental aircraft

The following table includes relatively recent and notable experimental aircraft and technology demonstrators which have showcased many advanced technologies.

Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version Number Comment
Sukhoi Su-47  Russia Fighter Aircraft Su-47 1 Experimental aircraft and technology demonstrator which showcased many advanced technologies now used in the Sukhoi PAK FA.
Sukhoi Su-37  Russia Multirole Fighter Su-37 2 Experimental supermaneuverable multirole jet fighter demonstrator[32]
Mikoyan MiG-33  Russia Multirole Fighter MiG-29M
MiG-29M2[33] 		6
Beriev A-60  Russia Airborne laser laboratory/Anti-satellite weapon 2 Testing by program Sokol Eshelon

Future of the Russian Air Force

Future aircraft

Aircraft Photo Origin Role Version On order Comment
Sukhoi PAK FA  Russia Fifth-generation jet fighter T-50 12 Expected to enter service starting 2016.[34]
Mikoyan MiG-35  Russia 4++ generation jet fighter MiG-35 30[35]
Kamov Ka-60  Russia Utility Helicopter Ka-60 100[36] Starting serial production in 2014-15. Around 100 will be procured.[37][38]
Mil Mi-38  Russia Transport helicopter Mi-38 Starting serial production in 2014-15.[39]
Tupolev Tu-300  Russia UCAV Korshun The project is in development phase.
PAK DA  Russia bomber Pak Da Stealth bomber expected to enter service in 2025
Beriev A-100  Russia Airborne early warning and control A-100 Replaces A-50U
Il-112  Russia Tactical transport Il-112 35 Replaces An-26
Il-214  Russia Tactical transport Il-214 100[36] Replaces An-12 and An-72
Il-96-400  Russia Aerial refueling Il-96-400TZ 2

Aircraft deliveries by type 2010 onward

Military helicopter deliveries to the Russian Air Force 2010–2014
Type 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Mi-28N 11 12 15 14 12
Mi-35M 6 11 11 11
Ka-52 4 12 21 17 10
Mi-8 family 15 10 14 53 32
Mi-26 4 7 3 2
Ka-226 1 9 9 6
Ansat-U 8 5 6 6
Ka-31 2
Total 30 53 84 113 79
Sources:[40][41][42][43][44][45]
Military aircraft deliveries to the Russian Air Force 2010–2014
Type 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Su-27SM3 12
Su-30 family 4 2 18 26
Su-34 4 6 10 12 18
Yak-130 4 8 15 18 20
Su-35S 2 8 12 12
L-410UVP 4 3
An-140-100 1 2 3 1
Tu-154M 1 2
An-148-100E 1 4
Il-76MD-90A 2
Tu-204R 1 1
Total 13 31 42 65 84
Sources:[46][47][48][49][50]

See also

References

  1. ↑ International Institute for Strategic Studies - IISS Military Balance 2010, p. 222
  2. ↑ Austin & Muraviev, The Armed Forces of Russia in Asia, Tauris, 2000, p.235
  3. ↑ Jeroen Brinkman, 'Russian Air Force in Turmoil,' Air Forces Monthly, No.105, December 1996, p.2, cited in Austin & Muraviev, 2000
  4. ↑ General Heikki Nikunen, The Current State of the Russian Air Force, last updated 2005
  5. ↑ Piotr Butowski, 'Russia's new air force enters a tight manoeuvre,' Jane's Intelligence Review, May 1999, p.14
  6. ↑ Piotr Butowski, 'Russia Rising,' Air Forces Monthly, July 2007, p.83
  7. ↑ Valeriy Kolosov, Military Reform: Minus One Hundred Thousand, Kommersant, 11 October 2004, cited in Scott & Scott, Russian Military Directory 2004
  8. ↑ Routledge/IISS, IISS Military Balance 2007, p.200
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Russia to build fifth-generation fighter prototype soon, 8 August 2007
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 RIA Novosti, Russia to equip two air regiments with Su-34 strike planes soon, 2 August 2007
  11. ↑ "SU-34/32FN Fullback Long range fighter-bomber , Russian Arms, Military Technology, Analysis of Russia's Military Forces". Warfare.ru. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  12. ↑ "BBC NEWS, ',Russia restarts Cold War',, 17 August 2007, patrols". BBC News. 17 August 2007. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  13. ↑ Russia restores Soviet-era strategic bomber patrols – Putin −2 Russian News & Information Agency
  14. ↑ "BBC NEWS, RAF intercepted Russian planes, 30 April 2008". BBC News. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  15. ↑ Warfare.ru, Air Force: structure accessed May 2009
  16. ↑ "accessed August 2009". Combataircraft.net. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  17. ↑ "Russian Military Aircrew Numbers Tumble". Aviationweek.com. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  18. ↑ Reuters.com, One-third Russian fighter jets old and unsafe: report Friday, 6 February 2009 5:40 am EST
  19. ↑ "Russian Military Weakness Increases Importance of Strategic Nuclear Forces". Cdi.org. 11 June 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  20. ↑ "Russia upgrades bomber-ALCM force for 21st century". Upi.com. 5 January 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  21. ↑ RIAN, Sukhoi signs record $2.5 bln deal with Russian defence ministry, August 2009
  22. ↑ "18 September 2009". Asbarez.com. 10 February 1995. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  23. ↑ Reuben F Johnson, Russian consortium to develop PAK-FA engine, Jane's Defence Weekly, 19 April 2010
  24. ↑ John Pike. "Russian fighter jets make first ever nonstop flight across Russia to Far East". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  25. ↑ "Радиостанция "Эхо Москвы" / Передачи / Военный совет / Суббота, 14.08.2010: Александр Зелин". Echo.msk.ru. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  26. ↑ Moscow Defense Brief #2, 2010 page 23
  27. ↑ ""Максимальный налет летчика в Западном военном округе превысил 215 часов в год " в блоге "Армия и Флот" - Сделано у нас". Сделано у нас. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  28. ↑ Dmitry Gorenburg, Air Force Structure, February 7, 2011
  29. ↑ ""Фотофакт. Новые вертолёты Ансат-У и Ка-226 для ВВС России " в блоге "Фотофакты" - Сделано у нас". Сделано у нас. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  30. ↑ 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.
  31. ↑ International Institute for Strategic Studies; Hackett, James (ed.) (7 March 2012). The Military Balance 2012. London: Routledge. ISBN 1857436423. p. 196
  32. ↑ "-37". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  33. ↑ "-29(-33)". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  34. ↑ Russian Air Force pilot flies PAK-FA for first time 25 Apric 2013
  35. ↑ RAC "MiG" in June to sign a contact with the Ministry of Defence for the supply of MiG-35 31-5-2013
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "World Air Forces 2015". Flightglobal Insight. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  37. ↑ Kamov Ka-60, warfare.ru, Russian Military Analisis. Retrieved on September 8, 2008.
  38. ↑ "World Air Forces 2013" (PDF). flightglobal.com. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  39. ↑ "Состоялся первый полет нового вертолета Ми-38 с российскими двигателями ТВ7-117В". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  40. ↑ "bmpd". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  41. ↑ ""Итоги 2012 года в картинках: ВВС - часть 2 (вертолёты)" в блоге "Армия и Флот" - Сделано у нас". Сделано у нас. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  42. ↑ "bmpd". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  43. ↑ "bmpd". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  44. ↑ "bmpd". livejournal.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  45. ↑ "bmpd". livejournal.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  46. ↑ ""Итоги 2012 года в картинках: ВВС - часть 1 (самолёты)" в блоге "Армия и Флот" - Сделано у нас". Сделано у нас. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  47. ↑ ""Итоги 2012 года в картинках: гражданская авиация" в блоге "Авиация" - Сделано у нас". Сделано у нас. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  48. ↑ "bmpd". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  49. ↑ "bmpd". livejournal.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  50. ↑ "bmpd". livejournal.com. Retrieved 1 April 2015.

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