Russian Air Force

The Russian Air Force (Russian: Военно-воздушные cилы России, transliteration: Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii) is the air force of Russian Military. It is currently under the command of Colonel

Военно-воздушные cилы России Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii Russian Air Force
Active	From 1992
Country	Russian Federation (previously the Soviet Union and Russian Empire)
Role	Defeating enemy units, reconnaissance, defence of major military units and facilities
Size	160,000 personnel
Anniversaries	12 August
Engagements	First Chechen War Invasion of Dagestan Second Chechen War Russo-Georgian War Insurgency in the North Caucasus
Commanders
Current commander	Colonel General Alexander Zelin
Insignia
Roundel
Former Roundel (still in widespread use)

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.

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, 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. 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. 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.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'. 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 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.

Armed Forces of the
Russian Federation

Ministry of Defence Services (Vid) Russian Air Force Russian Ground Forces Russian Navy Independent troops (Rod) Strategic Missile Troops Russian Aerospace Defence 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. However, as of 2010, only 16 Su-34s are in service, and only one frontline unit has received any aircraft. 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."
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. 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.
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. However, Combat Aircraft, in a piece by Stefan Buttner in its August–September 2009 issue, presented the order of battle as being substantially unchanged. 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.
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. 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". 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.
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.
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.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.
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.
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.
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.

Ranks and insignia

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 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.

Structure

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. 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.

• Operational Strategic Command for Air-Space Defense (Moscow)
  • 4th Air-space defense brigade (Dolgoprudnyi, Moscow Oblast)
  • 5th Air-space defense brigade (Petrovskoe, Moscow Oblast)
  • 6th Air-space defense brigade (Rzhev, Tver Oblast)(former 32nd Corps of PVO?)
  • 6963rd aviation base (Kursk) (MiG-29SMT)
  • 6968th fighter aviation base (Khotilovo, Tver Oblast) (Su-27, Mig-31)

• 1st Air and Air Defence Forces Command (Voronezh) (Western Military District) — (includes elements of former 6th Army of VVS and PVO)
  • 1st Air-space defense brigade (Severomorsk)
  • 2nd Air-space defense brigade (St. Petersburg)
  • 6961st aviation base (Petrozavodsk) (Su-27)
  • 6964th aviation base (Monchegorsk, Murmansk Oblast) (Su-24M, Su-24MP)
  • 6965th aviation base (Viaz’ma, Smolensk Oblast) (Mi-8, Mi-24)
  • 7000th aviation base (Voronezh) (Su-24M, Su-24MP, Su-34)

• 2nd Air and Air Defence Forces Command (Yekaterinburg) (Central Military District)
  • 8th air-space defense brigade (Yekaterinburg)
  • 9th air-space defense brigade (Novosibirsk)
  • 10th air-space defense brigade (Chita)
  • 6977th aviation base (Perm) (Mig-31)
  • 6979th aviation base (Kansk, Krasnoyarsk Krai) (Mig-31)
  • 6980th aviation base (Chelyabinsk) (Su-24M)
  • 6982nd aviation base (Domna, Zabaikalski Krai) (Mig-29)

• 3rd Air and Air Defence Forces Command (Khabarovsk) (Eastern Military District)
  • 11th air-space defense brigade (Komsomolsk-na-Amur)
  • 12th air-space defense brigade (Vladivostok)
  • 6983rd aviation base (Vozdvizhenka, Primorski Krai) (Su-25, Mi-8, Mi-24)
  • 6987th aviation base (Komsomolsk-na-Amure) (Su-27SM)
  • 6988th aviation base (Khurba, Khabarovsk Krai) (Su-24M, Su-24M2, Su-24MR)
  • 6989th aviation base (Vladivostok) (Su-27SM)
  • 265th transport aviation base (Khabarovsk)

• 4th Air and Air Defence Forces Command — Southern Military District (former 4th and 5th Armies of VVS and PVO)(Rostov-on-Don)
  • 7th air-space defense brigade (Rostov-on-Don)
  • 8th air-space defense brigade (Yekaterinburg)
  • 6970th aviation base (Morozovsk, Rostov Oblast) (Su-24M)
  • 6971st aviation base (Budenovsk, Stavropol Krai) (Su-25SM, Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-28)
  • 6972nd aviation base (Krymsk, Krasnodar Krai) (Su-27, Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-28, Ka-27)
  • 6974th aviation base (Korenovsk, Krasnodar Krai) (Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-28)
  • 999th aviation base (Kant, Kyrgyzstan) (Su-25, Su-27, Mi-8)
  • 229th transport aviation base (Rostov-on-Don)

• Military Transport Aviation Command (Moscow)
  • 6955th Aviation base (Migalovo (Tver)) (Il-76)
  • 6956th Aviation base (Orenburg) (Il-76)
  • 6958th Aviation base (Taganrog, Rostov Oblast) (Il-76)
  • 6985th Aviation base (Pskov) (Il-76)

• Long Range Aviation Command (Moscow)
  • 6950th Aviation base (Engels-2, Saratov Oblast) (Tu-22M3, Tu-95MS, Tu-160)(former 22nd Guards Heavy Bomber Aviation Division?)
  • 6952nd Aviation base (Ukrainka, Amur Oblast) (Tu-95MS)
  • 6953rd Aviation base (Sredni, Irkutsk Oblast) (Tu-22M3)(Belaya?)

Air Forces of Russia
Russian Empire Air Force (1909–1917) Soviet Union Red Air Force (1918–1991) Naval Aviation (1918–1991) Air Defense (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

• 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
• 344th Centre for Combat Training and Flight Personnel Training — Torzhok — ground forces helicopters.
  • 696th Research and Instruction Helicopter Regiment — Torzhok — Ka-50, Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-26, has used Mi-28.
  • 92nd Research and Instruction Helicopter Squadron — Sokol-Vladimir — Mi-8 and Mi-24
• 2881st Reserve Helicopter Base — Totskoye — Mi-24
• 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
• 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-8 and Mi-24
• 783rd Training Centre — Armavir — MiG-29 and L-39C
• 786th Training Centre — Borisoglebsk

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

Aircraft and personnel numbers 2010

As of 2010, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) estimated that the Russian Air Force numbered 160,000 personnel, this figure is to be reduced to 148,000 in the coming years. In addition, the IISS estimated that the Russian Air Force had a strength of 4,000+ aircraft in active service.

Aircraft Inventory

Aircraft	Photo	Origin	Type	Versions	Numbers In Service	Comments
Fixed-wing aircraft
Ilyushin Il-62		USSR	Airliner	IL-62	3	Not accounted for by the IISS.
Tupolev Tu-154		USSR	Airliner	Yu-154	4	Not accounted for by the IISS.
Ilyushin Il-78		USSR	Aerial Refueling	IL-78 IL-78M	20
Beriev A-50		USSR	Airborne Early Warning & Control	A-50 A-50U	20
Sukhoi Su-27		USSR	Air Superiority Fighter	Su-27SM Su-27SM3 Su-27SMK	241 40	Older versions being upgraded.
Tupolev Tu-22M		USSR	Bomber	Tu-22M3 Tu-22MR	116
Tupolev Tu-95		USSR	Bomber	Tu-95MS6 Tu-95MS16	32 31
Tupolev Tu-160		USSR	Bomber	Tu-160	16
Ilyushin Il-86		USSR	Command & Control	IL-86	4
Sukhoi Su-30		Russia	Fighter	Su-30 Su-30M2	15	In process of orders. 10 more confirmed to be delivered during 2012.
Sukhoi Su-35		Russia	Fighter	Su-35 Su-35S	11	48 Su-35 on order (2010).
Mikoyan MiG-29		USSR	Fighter	MiG-29 MiG-29UB MiG-29SMT	226
Sukhoi Su-24		USSR	Ground-attack Ground-attack Reconnaissance	Su-24M Su-24M2 Su-24MR	553 7 79	In progress of upgrading to Su-24M2 standard.
Sukhoi Su-25		USSR	Ground-attack	Su-25SM	241
Mikoyan MiG-31		USSR	Interceptor aircraft	MiG-31 MiG-31BM	188
Mikoyan MiG-25		USSR	Reconnaissance	Mig-25R	40
Tupolev Tu-134		USSR	Strategic Airliner	Tu-134	30
Antonov An-22		USSR	Strategic Transport	An-22	21
Antonov An-124		USSR	Strategic Transport	An-124 An-124-100	12 2
Ilyushin Il-76		USSR	Strategic Transport	IL-76MD	210
Sukhoi Su-34		Russia	Strike Fighter	Su-34	16
Antonov An-12		USSR	Tactical Transport	An-12	50
Antonov An-72		USSR	Tactical Transport	An-72/74	39	Not accounted for by the IISS.
Antonov An-24 Antonov An-26		USSR	Tactical Transport	An-24/An-26	76	Not accounted for by the IISS.
Yakovlev Yak-130		Russia	Training Aircraft	Yak-130	9	55 more on order.+ 10 ordered in 2012.
Aero L-39 Albatros		Czechoslovakia	Training Aircraft	L-39	336
Tupolev Tu-134		USSR	Training Aircraft	Tu-134	30
Yakovlev Yak-40		USSR	VIP Transport	Yak-40	1	Not accounted for by the IISS.
Let L-410 Turbolet		Czechoslovakia	VIP Transport	L-410	7	Not accounted for by the IISS.
Antonov An-140		Russia	VIP Transport	An-140	0	1 on order
Helicopters
Kamov Ka-50		USSR	Attack Helicopter	Ka-50	8	More on order.
Kamov Ka-52		Russia	Attack helicopter	Ka-52	20	Used by Special Forces. Not accounted for by the IISS.
Mil Mi-24 Mil Mi-35		USSR	Attack helicopter	Mi-24V Mi-24PN Mi-35М	620
Mil Mi-28		Russia	Attack helicopter	Mi-28N	~44	300 by 2015.
Mil Mi-6		USSR	Transport Helicopter	Mi-6	8
Mil Mi-8 Mil Mi-17		USSR	Transport Helicopter	Mi-8 Mi-8MTV-5 Mi-8AMTSh Mi-17	600
Mil Mi-26		USSR	Transport Helicopter	Mil Mi-26	35
Kamov Ka-226		Russia	Transport Helicopter	Ka-226T	3	Not accounted for by the IISS.
Kazan Ansat		Russia	Training Helicopter	Ansat-U	13	40 on order
Mil Mi-2		USSR	Utility Helicopter	Mi-2	280	Not accounted for by the IISS.
Kamov Ka-60		Russia	Utility Helicopter	Ka-60	5	Not accounted for by the IISS.
Kamov Ka-28		USSR	Utility Helicopter	Ka-28	2	Not accounted for by the IISS.
Kamov Ka-29		USSR	Utility Helicopter	Ka-29	21	Not accounted for by the IISS.
UAVs
Yakovlev Pchela		Russia	UAV	PCHELA-1T	Unknown
REIS-D		Russia	UAV	REIS-D	Unknown
IAI Searcher		Israel	UAV	Searcher 2	Unknown

Helicopters of the Army Aviation will return to the Ground Forcesin 2015 when the Army Air Command will be reinstated.

According to the instructions of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of September 1, 2011 and units are excluded from the unmanned aircraft of the Air Force and transferred to the Army. Therefore, the general customer of this kind of troops are now the Army.

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