Meaning air force in modern war huge, and the conflicts of recent decades clearly confirm this. The Russian Air Force is second only to the US Air Force in terms of the number of aircraft. Russian military aviation has a long and glorious history; until recently, the Russian Air Force was separate view troops, in August last year, the Russian air force became part of the Aerospace Forces Russian Federation.

Russia is undoubtedly a great aviation power. In addition to the glorious history, our country can boast of a significant technological backlog, which allows us to independently produce military aircraft of any kind.

Today, Russian military aviation is going through a difficult period of its development: its structure is changing, a new aviation technology generational change takes place. However, events recent months in Syria showed that the Russian Air Force can successfully carry out its combat missions in any conditions.

History of the Air Force of the Russian Air Force

Russian history military aviation started over a century ago. In 1904, an aerodynamic institute was created in Kuchino, one of the founders of aerodynamics, Zhukovsky, became its head. Within its walls, scientific and theoretical work was carried out aimed at improving aviation technology.

In the same period, the Russian designer Grigorovich worked on the creation of the world's first seaplanes. The first flight schools were opened in the country.

In 1910, the Imperial Air Force was organized, which lasted until 1917.

Russian aviation took an active part in the First World War, although the domestic industry of that time lagged far behind other countries participating in this conflict. Most combat aircraft flown Russian pilots of that time, were manufactured in foreign factories.

But still there were interesting finds among domestic designers. In Russia, the first multi-engine bomber "Ilya Muromets" was created (1915).

The Russian air force was divided into squadrons, which included 6-7 aircraft each. Detachments united in air groups. The army and navy had their own aviation.

At the beginning of the war, aircraft were used for reconnaissance or artillery fire correction, but very quickly they began to be used to bombard the enemy. Soon fighters appeared, and air battles began.

The Russian pilot Nesterov made the first air ram, and a little earlier he performed the famous "dead loop".

The Imperial Air Force was disbanded after the Bolsheviks came to power. Many pilots have participated in civil war on different sides of the conflict.

In 1918, the new government created its own Air Force, which took part in the civil war. After its completion, the country's leadership paid great attention development of military aviation. This allowed the USSR in the 30s, after large-scale industrialization, to return to the club of the world's leading aviation powers.

New aircraft factories were built, design bureaus were created, flight schools were opened. A whole galaxy of talented aircraft designers appeared in the country: Polyakov, Tupolev, Ilyushin, Petlyakov, Lavochnikov and others.

In the prewar period, the armed forces received a large number of new models of aviation equipment, which was not inferior to foreign counterparts: MiG-3, Yak-1, LaGG-3 fighters, long-range bomber TB-3.

By the beginning of the war, Soviet industry managed to produce more than 20 thousand military aircraft various modifications. In the summer of 1941, the factories of the USSR produced 50 combat vehicles per day, three months later the production of equipment doubled (up to 100 vehicles).

The war for the USSR Air Force began with a series of crushing defeats — great amount aircraft were destroyed at border airfields and in dogfights. For almost two years, German aviation had air supremacy. Soviet pilots did not have the proper experience tactics were obsolete, like most of the Soviet aviation technology.

The situation began to change only by 1943, when the industry of the USSR mastered the production of modern combat vehicles, and the Germans had to best forces sent to defend Germany from Allied air raids.

By the end of the war, the numerical superiority of the USSR Air Force became overwhelming. During the war years, more than 27 thousand Soviet pilots died.

On July 16, 1997, by the Decree of the President of Russia, the the new kind troops - Air Force of the Russian Federation. Part new structure troops entered air defense and the air force. In 1998, the necessary structural changes were completed, the Main Headquarters of the Russian Air Force was formed, and a new commander-in-chief appeared.

Russian military aviation participated in all conflicts in the North Caucasus, in the Georgian war of 2008, in 2019 the Russian Aerospace Forces were introduced into Syria, where they are currently located.

Around the middle of the last decade, an active modernization of the Russian air force began.

Old aircraft are being modernized, new equipment is being supplied to the units, new ones are being built and old air bases are being restored. The development of the fifth generation fighter T-50 is underway, which is at the final stage.

The monetary allowance of military personnel has been significantly increased, today pilots have the opportunity to spend enough time in the air and hone their skills, exercises have become regular.

In 2008, the reform of the air force started. The structure of the Air Force was divided into commands, air bases and brigades. Commands were created territorial principle and replaced the air defense and air force armies.

Structure of the Air Force of the Russian Air Force

Today, the Russian Air Force is part of the military space forces, the decree on the creation of which was published in August 2019. The leadership of the Russian Aerospace Forces is carried out by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and the direct command is the High Command of the Aerospace Forces. The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian military space forces is Colonel General Sergei Surovikin.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force is Lieutenant General Yudin, he holds the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

In addition to the air force, the VKS includes space troops, air defense and missile defense units.

The Russian Air Force includes a long-range, military transport and army aviation. In addition, the Air Force includes anti-aircraft, missile and radio engineering troops. The Russian Air Force also has its own special forces, which perform many important functions: provide intelligence and communications, are engaged in electronic warfare, rescue operations and protection from weapons mass destruction. The Air Force also includes a meteorological and medical service, engineering units, support units and rear services.

The basis of the structure of the Russian air force are brigades, air bases and commands of the Russian Air Force.

Four commands are located in St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Khabarovsk and Novosibirsk. In addition, the Russian Air Force includes a separate command that manages long-range and military transport aviation.

As mentioned above, in terms of size, the Russian Air Force is second only to the US Air Force. In 2010, the number of Russian air forces was 148 thousand people, about 3.6 thousand various units of aviation equipment were in operation, and about 1 thousand more were in storage.

After the 2008 reform, the air regiments turned into air bases; in 2010, there were 60-70 such bases.

The following tasks are set for the Russian Air Force:

  • reflection of enemy aggression in the air and outer space;
  • protection against air strikes of military and government controlled, administrative and industrial centers, other important infrastructure facilities of the state;
  • inflicting defeat on enemy troops using various types of ammunition, including nuclear;
  • conducting reconnaissance operations;
  • direct support of other types and branches of the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Military aviation of the Russian Air Force

The Russian Air Force includes strategic and long-range aviation, military transport and army aviation, which, in turn, is divided into fighter, assault, bomber, reconnaissance.

Strategic and long-range aviation is part of the Russian nuclear triad and is capable of carrying different kinds nuclear weapons.

. These machines were designed and built back in the Soviet Union. The impetus for the creation of this aircraft was the development by the Americans of the B-1 strategist. Today, the Russian Air Force is armed with 16 Tu-160 aircraft. These military aircraft can be armed with cruise missiles and free-fall bombs. Will he be able Russian industry to establish serial production of these machines is an open question.

. This is a turboprop aircraft that made its first flight during Stalin's lifetime. This machine has undergone a deep modernization, it can be armed with cruise missiles and free-fall bombs with both conventional and nuclear warheads. Currently, the number of operating machines is about 30.

. This machine is called a long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber. Tu-22M was developed in the late 60s of the last century. The aircraft has a variable wing geometry. Can carry cruise missiles and bombs with a nuclear warhead. The total number of combat-ready vehicles is about 50, another 100 are in storage.

Fighter aviation of the Russian Air Force is currently represented by Su-27, MiG-29, Su-30, Su-35, MiG-31, Su-34 (fighter-bomber).

. This machine is the result of a deep modernization of the Su-27, it can be attributed to the 4 ++ generation. The fighter has increased maneuverability and is equipped with advanced electronic equipment. Start of operation of the Su-35 - 2014. The total number of aircraft - 48 cars.

. The famous attack aircraft, created back in the mid-70s of the last century. One of the best vehicles of its class in the world, the Su-25 has been involved in dozens of conflicts. Today, about 200 Rooks are in service, another 100 are in storage. This aircraft is being upgraded and will be completed in 2020.

. Front-line bomber with variable wing geometry, designed to overcome enemy air defenses at low altitude and supersonic speed. The Su-24 is a morally obsolete machine, it is planned to be decommissioned by 2020. 111 units remain in service.

. The latest fighter-bomber. Now the Russian Air Force is armed with 75 such aircraft.

Transport aviation Russian Air Force represented by several hundred different aircraft, the vast majority developed back in the USSR: An-22, An-124 Ruslan, Il-86, An-26, An-72, An-140, An-148 and other models.

Training aircraft include: Yak-130, Czech aircraft L-39 Albatros and Tu-134UBL.

After the adoption of SAP-2020, officials quite often talk about the rearmament of the Air Force (or, more broadly, the supply of aviation complexes in the RF Armed Forces). At the same time, the specific parameters of this re-equipment and the strength of the Air Force by 2020 are not directly given. In view of this, many media give their forecasts, but they are presented, as a rule, in tabular form - without arguments or a calculation system.

This article is just an attempt to predict combat strength Air Force of the Russian Federation by the specified date. All information is collected from open sources - from media materials. There are no claims for absolute accuracy, because the ways of the State ... ... defense order in Russia are inscrutable, and often a mystery even for those who form it.

Total strength of the Air Force

So, let's start with the main thing - with the total number of the Air Force by 2020. This number will be formed from new-built aircraft and their modernized "senior colleagues".

In his programmatic article, V.V. Putin pointed out that: “... In the coming decade, the troops will receive ... more than 600 modern aircraft, including fifth-generation fighters, over a thousand helicopters". At the same time, the current Minister of Defense S.K. Shoigu recently cited slightly different data: “... By the end of 2020, we will have to receive about 2,000 new aircraft systems from industrial enterprises, including 985 helicopters».

The numbers are of the same order, but there are differences in the details. What is it connected with? For helicopters, the delivered machines may no longer be taken into account. Some change in the parameters of SAP-2020 is also possible. But only they will require changes in funding. Theoretically, this is facilitated by the refusal to resume production of the An-124 and a slight reduction in the number of purchases of helicopters.

S. Shoigu mentioned, in fact, no less than 700-800 aircraft (we will subtract helicopters from the total number). Article by V.V. This does not contradict Putin (more than 600 aircraft), but “more than 600” does not really correlate with “almost 1000”. Yes, and money for the “extra” 100-200 vehicles (even taking into account the abandonment of the Ruslans) will need to be attracted additionally, especially if you buy fighters and front-line bombers (with an average price of Su-30SM of $ 40 million per unit, you get astronomical figure - up to a quarter of a trillion rubles for 200 vehicles, despite the fact that PAK FA or Su-35S are more expensive).

Thus, the most likely increase in purchases is due to cheaper combat training Yak-130s (all the more so because it is very necessary), attack aircraft and UAVs (it seems that, according to media reports, work has intensified). Although the additional purchase of the Su-34 up to 140 units. can also take place. Now there are about 24 of them. + about 120 Su-24M. Will be - 124 pcs. But to replace front-line bombers in the 1 x 1 format, another fifteen Su-34s will be required.

Based on the given data, it seems appropriate to accept average figures of 700 airplanes and 1,000 helicopters. Total - 1700 boards.

Now let's move on to modernized technology. In general, by 2020, the share of new equipment in the Armed Forces should be 70%. But this percentage is not the same for different branches and types of troops. For the Strategic Missile Forces - up to 100% (sometimes they say 90%). For the Air Force, figures were given in the same 70%.

I also admit that the share of new equipment will “reach” 80%, but not due to an increase in its purchases, but due to a greater write-off of old machines. However, this article uses a 70/30 ratio. Therefore, the forecast is moderately optimistic. By simple calculations (X=1700x30/70), we get (approximately) 730 modernized boards. In other words, the number of the Russian Air Force by 2020 is planned in the region of 2430-2500 aircraft and helicopters.

With total seems to have figured it out. Let's get down to specifics. Let's start with helicopters. This is the most covered topic, and deliveries are already in full swing.

Helicopters

For attack helicopters, it is planned to have 3 (!) Models - (140 units), (96 units), as well as the Mi-35M (48 units). A total of 284 units were planned. (not including some cars lost in aviation accidents).


The air force is one of the most important components of the defense capability of each country. Every day, scientists around the world are working to create faster and more efficient combat aircraft. Our review today presents 19 of the most best models fighters who have already proven themselves in combat.

1. American attack fighter - Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet


This model is a modernized version of a military aircraft. F/A-18. The sample weighs 14.5 tons, while one full tank will be enough to fly 3300 kilometers. The aircraft is equipped with a powerful F404 engine, thanks to which maximum speed can reach 1915 km / h. The Super Hornet costs about US$67 million.

2. German monoplane fighter - Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wurger


The presented model proved to be excellent in the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. Kurt Tank is the developer of a fighter called the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Wurger, which was created specifically for the German Air Force. The aircraft made its first flight back in 1939.

3. American light fighter - Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon


This model was developed back in 1974, but was put into operation at the end of 1979. The length of the sample is 15 meters. The sample is equipped with a powerful General Electric F110 engine. Price General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is about 19 million US dollars.

4. Swedish multirole fighter - Saab JAS 39 Gripen


The presented model has been in service with the Swedish Air Force since 1997. The weight of this sample is 6622 kilograms, while the flight range from one full tank reaches 3250 kilometers. The creator of the aircraft is Saab AB. Costs Saab JAS 39 Gripen approximately 60 million US dollars.

5. Fighter - Su-30MKI (Flanker-H)


The upgraded aircraft model weighs 18,400 kilograms, while its flight range from one full tank reaches 3,000 kilometers. This model made its first flight in 2000. The fighter is equipped with a powerful AL-31F engine. Price Su-30MKI is 25 million US dollars.

6. Double fighter - McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle


This model was created on the basis of the F-15D combat training fighter. This aircraft can be used to patrol and provide cover ground forces. The sample is equipped with a powerful Pratt & Whitney F100 engine, thanks to which the maximum flight speed can reach 2655 kilometers per hour. Price McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle is approximately US$31 million.

7. French multirole fighter - Dassault Rafale


French company Dassault Aviation is the creator of a 15 meter fighter called - Dassault Rafale. The maximum speed of this model reaches 2130 km / h, and the flight range from one fully filled tank is 3700 kilometers.

8. Experimental aircraft - Sukhoi Su-35


This fighter weighs 18,400 kilograms, while its flight range from one fully filled tank is 3,600 kilometers. The model is equipped with a powerful AL-31F engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft reaches 2500 km/h. Costs Su-27M about 65 million US dollars.

9. Multirole fighter - Eurofighter Typhoon


This model was created by Eurofighter GmbH in 1986. The aircraft weighs 11 tons, while its flight range from one fully filled tank is 3790 kilometers. The maximum allowable speed of the aircraft is 1838 km/h.

10. Fighter-bomber - Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II


American company Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company is the creator of a stealth fighter called - Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. This model is equipped with a powerful Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, thanks to which the maximum speed can reach 1930 km / h, and the flight range is 2220 kilometers. The sample made its first flight in 2006.

11. American strike aircraft - Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk


This model is the development of the company lockheed martin. This sample is designed to quietly penetrate the enemy's air defense system and destroy strategically important targets. The aircraft is equipped with a powerful General Electric F404 engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 993 kilometers per hour. Price Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk is about 100 million US dollars.

12. Multirole fighter - MiG 21


This model is equipped with a turbojet engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 2175 kilometers per hour. The model made its first flight back in 1955. MiG-21 is one of the most common supersonic aircraft in the world.

13. English fighter - Supermarine Spitfire


This model is one of best fighters World War II. This sample equipped with powerful engines such as: Rolls-Royce Merlin, Rolls-Royce Griffon, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can be 584 kilometers per hour. The aircraft made its first flight back in 1936.

14. Russian fighter - MiG-35


This model is equipped with a powerful RD-33 engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 2600 km/h. The sample made its first flight in 2007. One full tank of aircraft is enough for 2,000 kilometers.

15. Multirole fighter - Chengdu J-10


This model is the development of a Chinese company Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group.
The presented sample is equipped with a turbofan engine, thanks to which the maximum flight speed of the aircraft can reach 2327 kilometers per hour. The aircraft made its first flight in 1998. Price Chengdu J-10 is 28 million US dollars.

16. British fighter - Hawker Siddeley Harrier


This model is the development of Hawker Siddeley, which in 1960 created a fighter called Hawker Siddeley Harrier. The maximum allowable flight speed of this sample is 1175 kilometers per hour.

17. American fighter - North American P-51 Mustang


This model was created by designer Edgar Schmüd together with the company North American Aviation. This model is equipped with a powerful twelve-cylinder engine, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 703 kilometers per hour.

18. Russian fighter - Su-47 Berkut

This model is equipped with powerful engines such as AL-31F, D-30, thanks to which the maximum speed of the aircraft can reach 2650 km/h. The sample weighs 16,380 kilograms, while the flight range from one fully filled tank is 3,300 kilometers. The Su-47 Berkut costs about 70 million US dollars.

19. Multirole fighter - Su-27


This model is equipped with a powerful AL-31F engine, thanks to which the maximum flight speed can reach 2500 km/h. The sample weighs 16380 kilograms, while the flight range from one fully filled tank is 3530 kilometers. Costs Su-27 approximately US$30 million.

And aircraft lovers will surely be interested to look at these

The two strongest powers in the world have the most powerful air fleets. These are Russia and the United States of America. Both countries are constantly improving them. New military units are issued, if not annually, then every two to three years. Huge funds are allocated for development in this area.

If we talk about Russian strategic aviation, then do not expect that you can find accurate, statistical data on the number of attack aircraft, fighters, etc. in service somewhere. Such information is classified as top secret. Therefore, the information provided in this article may be subjective.

General overview of the Russian air fleet

It is included in the Aerospace Forces of our country. One of the important components of the WWF is aviation. It is subdivided to long-range, transport, operational-tactical and army. This includes attack aircraft, bombers, fighters, transport aircraft.

How many military aircraft does Russia have? Approximate number - 1614 units military aircraft. These are 80 strategic bombers, and 150 long-range bombers, 241 attack aircraft, etc.

For comparison, you can give how many passenger aircraft in Russia. Total 753. Of them 547 — trunk and 206 - regional. Since 2014, the demand for passenger flights began to fall, so the number of operated cars has also decreased. 72% of them are foreign models ( and ).

The new aircraft in the Russian Air Force are advanced models of military equipment. Among them are Su-57. This 5th generation fighter with a wide range of functions. Until August 2017, it was developed under a different name - Tu-50. It began to be created as a replacement for the Su-27.

The first time he soared into the sky yet in 2010. Three years later, it was launched into small-scale production for testing. By 2018 batch deliveries will begin.

Another promising model is MiG-35. This is a light fighter whose characteristics are almost comparable with fifth generation aircraft. It was designed to deliver accurate strikes against targets on land and in water. Winter 2017 year, the first tests began. By 2020 first deliveries are planned.

A-100 Premier- another novelty in the Russian Air Force. Early warning aircraft. It should replace the outdated models - A50 and A50U.

From training machines can be brought Yak-152. It was developed for the selection of pilots at the first stage of training.

Among military transport models, there are IL-112 and IL-214. The first of them is a light aircraft, which should replace the An-26. The second was developed jointly with, but now they continue to design it, as a replacement for the An-12.

Of the helicopters, such new models are under development − Ka-60 and Mi-38. Ka-60 is a transport helicopter. It is designed to deliver ammunition and weapons to the zones of military conflicts. Mi-38 is a multifunctional helicopter. Its financing is provided directly by the state.

There is also a novelty among passenger models. This is IL-114. Turboprop aircraft with two engines. It accommodates 64 passengers, and flies to a distance - up to 1500 km. It is being developed to replace An-24.

If we talk about small aviation in Russia, then the situation here is extremely deplorable. There are only 2-4 thousand aircraft and helicopters. And the number of amateur pilots is declining every year. This is due to the fact that for any aircraft You have to pay two taxes at once - transport and property.

Air fleets of Russia and the USA - a comparative analysis

The total number of aircraft in the United States - this is 13,513 cars. The researchers note that among them - only 2000- fighters and bombers. The rest - 11,000- these are transport vehicles and those used by NATO, the US Navy and the National Guard.

Transport aircraft are extremely important as they keep the air bases on alert and provide excellent logistics to the American forces. In this comparison, the US Air Force and the Russian Air Force clearly win the first.

The US Air Force has big amount technology.

In terms of the pace of renewal of military air technology, Russia is pulling ahead. By 2020, it is planned to release another 600 units. The real power gap between the two powers will be 10-15 % . It is already noted that Russian S-27s are ahead of American F-25s.

If we talk about comparing the armed forces of Russia and the United States, then the trump card of the first is the presence of especially powerful air defense systems. They reliably protect the air latitudes of Russia. Modern Russian air defense systems S-400 have no analogues anywhere in the world.

Russian air defense is something like an “umbrella” that protects the skies of our country until 2020. By this milestone, it is planned to completely update almost all military equipment, including air.

The history of military aviation began almost immediately after the first flight of the Wright brothers' American aircraft, which took place in 1903 - after a few years, the military of most armies of the world realized that the aircraft could become an excellent weapon. With the outbreak of World War I combat aviation as a branch of the military, it was already quite a serious force - at first, reconnaissance aviation was used, which made it possible to obtain complete and operational data on the movements of enemy troops, followed by bombers, first improvised, and then specially built. Finally, fighter aviation was created to counter enemy aircraft. Air aces appeared, about the success of which films were made and newspapers wrote with admiration. Soon, the fleet also acquired its own Air Force - the military naval aviation, the first air transport and aircraft carriers began to be built.

Indeed, military aviation proved to be one of the main branches of the military with the outbreak of World War II. Luftwaffe bombers and fighters became one of the main instruments of the German blitzkrieg, which predetermined the success of Germany in the first years of the war on all fronts, and Japanese naval aviation as the main strike force navy attack on Pearl Harbor set the course of hostilities on pacific ocean. British fighter aircraft were the decisive factor in preventing the invasion of the islands, and Allied strategic bombers brought Germany and Japan to the brink of disaster. The legend of the Soviet-German front was the Soviet attack aircraft.
Not a single modern armed conflict can do without military aviation. So, even in the event of the slightest tension, military transport aircraft carry out the transfer of military equipment and manpower, and army aviation, armed attack helicopters, provides support to ground troops. Modern aviation technology is developing in several directions. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are becoming more and more widely used. aircrafts, who, like 100 years ago, first became scouts, and now increasingly perform strike missions, demonstrating spectacular training and combat firing. However, so far, drones are not able to completely replace traditional manned combat aircraft, the emphasis in the design of which today is on reducing radar visibility, increasing maneuverability and the ability to fly at supersonic cruising speed. However, the situation is changing so rapidly that only the most daring science fiction writers can predict in which direction military aviation will develop in the coming years.
On the Warspot portal, you can always read articles and news on aviation topics, watch videos or photo reviews on the history of military aviation from its inception to the present - about airplanes and helicopters, about combat use of the Air Force, about pilots and aviation designers, about the auxiliary military equipment and equipment used in the Air Force of different armies of the world.