It is well known all over the world that the Russian army is one of the most powerful on our planet. And it is considered as such by right. The Air Force is part of the RF Armed Forces and is one of the key units of our army. Therefore, it is necessary to tell about the Air Force in more detail.

A bit of history

History in the modern sense begins in 1998. It was then that the Air Force, which we know today, was formed. And they were formed as a result of the merger of the so-called troops and the Air Force. True, and now they as such no longer exist. Since the past, 2015, there has been an Aerospace Forces - Aerospace Forces. By connecting the divisions of space and air force, it was possible to rally the potential and resources, as well as to concentrate the command in one hand - due to which the effectiveness of the forces also increased. In any case, this is how the need to form a VKS was justified.

These troops perform many tasks. They repel aggression in the air and space spheres, protect the earth, people, country and important objects from attacks coming from the same place, and provide air support for the combat operations of other military units of Russia.

Structure

Russian Federation(after all, many are more accustomed to calling them in the old way than VKS), include many divisions. This is aviation, as well as radio engineering and anti-aircraft in the first place. These are the arms of the Air Force. The structure also includes special troops. These include intelligence, as well as communications automated systems control and radio technical support. Without it Air Force Russia cannot exist.

TO special troops also includes meteorological, topogeodesic, engineering, RKhBZ, aeronautical, and also engineering. But this is not yet full list. It is also complemented by security, search and rescue, and even meteorological. But, in addition to the above, there are divisions the main task which consists in the protection of military command and control.

Other features of the structure

It should be noted that the structure, which distinguishes the air force of the Russian Federation, also has subdivisions. The first is long-range aviation (YES). The second is military transport (VTA). The third is operational tactical (OTA) and, finally, the fourth is army (AA). But that's not all. Subdivisions may include special, transport, reconnaissance, fighter aircraft, as well as ground attack and bomber aircraft. And each has its own tasks, which they are obliged to carry out by the Air Force.

The composition still has a certain basis on which the whole structure rests. Naturally, these are air bases and brigades belonging to the Aerospace Defense Forces.

Situation in the 21st century

Every person who is at least a little versed in this topic knows very well that in the 90s the air force of the Russian Federation was actively degraded. And all due to the fact that the number of personnel of the troops and the level of their training was very small. Plus, the technique was not particularly new, and there were not enough airfields. In addition, the structure was not funded, and therefore there were practically no flights. But in the 2000s, the situation began to improve. To be more precise, everything began to progress in 2009. It was then that fruitful and capital works relating to the repair and modernization of the entire fleet of the Russian Air Force.

Perhaps the impetus for this was the statement of the commander-in-chief of the troops - A. N. Zelin. In 2008, he said that the aerospace defense of our state was in a catastrophic state. Therefore, the purchase of equipment and the improvement of the entire system as a whole began.

Symbolism

The flag of the Air Force is very bright and conspicuous. This cloth blue color, in the center of which there is an image of two silvery propellers. They seem to intersect with each other. Together with them is shown anti-aircraft gun. And the background is made up of silver wings. In general, quite original and symbolic. Even from the center of the cloth, golden rays seem to diverge (their number is 14 pieces). By the way, their location is strictly regulated - this is not a chaotic choice. If you turn on fantasy and imagination, then it begins to seem as if this emblem is in the middle of the sun, blocking it - that's why the rays.

And if you look at history, you can understand that it is so. Because in Soviet time The flag was a blue cloth with a golden sun, in the middle of which was a red star with a hammer and sickle in the center. And a little lower - silver wings, which seem to be mounted on a black propeller ring.

It is worth noting that the Federation, together with the US Air Force, planned to conduct joint anti-terrorist exercises in 2008. It should have happened on Far East. The scenario was planned as follows: terrorists seize a plane at the airport, and the troops prevent the consequences. The Russian side was supposed to bring into action four fighters, search and rescue services and an early warning aircraft. The US Air Force required the participation of a civilian airliner and fighters. Plus the notorious plane. However, shortly before the planned event, literally a week before, it was reported that it was decided to mark the exercises. Many believe that the aggravated relations between NATO and Russia served as the reason.

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 aircraft (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

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

Designed to protect the centers, regions of the country (administrative, industrial and economic), groupings of troops and important objects from enemy attacks from air and space, to ensure actions ground forces and, delivering strikes against enemy air, land and sea groupings, its administrative-political and military-economic centers.

The main tasks of the Air Force in modern conditions are:

  • opening the beginning of an attack by an air enemy;
  • notification of the main headquarters of the Armed Forces, headquarters of military districts, fleets, civil defense agencies about the beginning of an enemy air attack;
  • gaining and maintaining air supremacy;
  • cover for troops and rear facilities from aerial reconnaissance, strikes from the air and space;
  • air support for the Ground Forces and the Navy;
  • destruction of objects of the military-economic potential of the enemy;
  • military and government controlled enemy;
  • the destruction of nuclear missile, anti-aircraft and aviation groups of the enemy and his reserves, as well as air and sea landings;
  • defeating enemy ship groupings at sea, in the ocean, at naval bases, in ports and bases;
  • dropping military equipment and landing troops;
  • transportation by air of troops and military equipment;
  • conducting strategic, operational and tactical air reconnaissance;
  • control over the use of airspace in the border zone.

V Peaceful time The Air Force performs security tasks state border Russia in the airspace, notify about the flights of foreign reconnaissance vehicles in the border zone.

The Air Force includes air armies the Supreme High Command for Strategic Purposes and the Supreme High Command for Military Transport Aviation; Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District; armies of the Air Force and Air Defense: separate corps of the Air Force and Air Defense.

The Air Force includes the following types of troops (Fig. 1):

  • aviation (types of aviation - bomber, attack, fighter, air defense, reconnaissance, transport and special);
  • anti-aircraft missile troops;
  • radio engineering troops;
  • special troops;
  • units and institutions of the rear.

bomber aviation is armed with long-range (strategic) and front-line (tactical) bombers various types. It is designed to defeat groupings of troops, destroy important military, energy facilities and communications centers mainly in the strategic and operational depth of the enemy’s defense. The bomber can carry bombs of various calibers, both conventional and nuclear, as well as guided missiles air-to-surface class.

Attack aircraft designed for aviation support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects mainly on cutting edge, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as orders to combat aircraft enemy in the air.

Rice. 1. Structure of the Air Force

One of the main requirements for an attack aircraft is the high accuracy of hitting ground targets. Armament: large-caliber guns, bombs, rockets.

Fighter aviation air defense is the main maneuvering force of the air defense system and is designed to cover major areas and objects from enemy air attack. It is capable of destroying the enemy at maximum ranges from the defended objects.

Air defense aviation is armed with air defense fighter aircraft, combat helicopters, special and transport aircraft and helicopters.

reconnaissance aviation Designed to conduct aerial reconnaissance of the enemy, terrain and weather, can destroy enemy hidden objects.

Reconnaissance flights can also be carried out by bomber, fighter-bomber, attack and fighter aircraft. To do this, they are specially equipped with photographic equipment for day and night shooting at various scales, high-resolution radio and radar stations, heat direction finders, sound recording and television equipment, and magnetometers.

Reconnaissance aviation is subdivided into tactical, operational and strategic reconnaissance aviation.

Transport aviation designed to transport troops, military equipment, weapons, ammunition, fuel, food, landing airborne assault, evacuation of the wounded, sick, etc.

Special aviation designed for long-range radar detection and guidance, air-to-air refueling, electronic warfare, radiation, chemical and biological protection, control and communications, meteorological and technical support, rescue of crews in distress, evacuation of the wounded and sick.

Anti-aircraft missile troops designed to protect the country's most important facilities and groupings of troops from enemy air strikes.

They constitute the main firepower of the air defense system (AD) and are armed with anti-aircraft guns. missile systems and anti-aircraft missile systems for various purposes, which have great firepower and high accuracy in destroying enemy air attack weapons.

Radio engineering troops- the main source of information about the air enemy and are designed to conduct its radar reconnaissance, control over the flights of its aviation and compliance with the rules for the use of airspace by aircraft of all departments.

They give out information about the beginning of an air attack, combat information for anti-aircraft missile troops and air defense aviation, as well as information for managing formations, units and subunits of air defense.

Radio-technical troops are armed with radar stations and radar complexes capable of detecting not only air but also surface targets at any time of the year and day, regardless of meteorological conditions and interference.

Units and divisions of communications are intended for the deployment and operation of communication systems in order to ensure command and control of troops in all types of combat activities.

Units and subdivisions of electronic warfare designed to interfere with airborne radars, bomb sights, communications and radio navigation means of enemy air attack.

Units and divisions of communications and radio engineering support designed to provide control of aviation units and subunits, aircraft navigation, takeoff and landing of aircraft and helicopters.

Parts and divisions engineering troops, as well as units and divisions of radiation, chemical and biological protection designed to perform the most challenging tasks engineering and chemical support, respectively.

The Air Force is armed with Tu-160 (Fig. 2), Tu-22MZ, Tu-95MS, Su-24, Su-34, MiG-29, MiG-27, MiG-31 aircraft of various modifications (Fig. 3), Su -25, Su-27, Su-39 (Fig. 4), MiG-25R, Su-24MP, A-50 (Fig. 5), An-12, An-22, An-26, An-124, Il -76, IL-78; helicopters Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-17, Mi-26, Ka-31, Ka-52 (Fig. 6), Ka-62; anti-aircraft missile systems S-200, S-300, S-300PM (Fig. 7), S-400 "Triumph", radar stations and complexes "Opponent-G", "Nebo-U", "Gamma-DE" , "Gamma-C1", "Casta-2".

Rice. 2. Strategic supersonic bomber Tu-160: wingspan - 35.6 / 55.7 m; length - 54.1 m; height - 13.1 m; maximum takeoff weight - 275 tons; maximum combat load - 45 tons; cruising speed - 960 km / h; range - 7300 km; ceiling - 18000 m; weapons - missiles, bombs (including nuclear); crew - 4 people

Rice. 3. Multipurpose fighter MiG-31F / FZ: wingspan - 13.46 m; length - 22.67 m; height - 6.15 m; maximum takeoff weight - 50,000 kg; cruising speed - 2450 km / h; range - 3000 km; combat radius of action - 650 km; ceiling - 20,000 m; armament - 23-mm six-barreled gun (260 rounds, rate of fire - 8000 rounds / min); combat load - 9000 kg (UR, bombs); crew - 2 people

Rice. 4. Attack aircraft Su-39: wingspan - 14.52 m; length - 15.33 m; height - 5.2 m; maximum speed near the ground - 2450 km / h; range - 1850 km; ceiling - 18,000 m; armament - 30 mm cannon; combat load - 4500 kg (ATGM with ATGM. RCC, NUR, U R. bombs - conventional, induced, cluster, nuclear)

Rice. 5. A-50 long-range radar detection and control aircraft: wingspan - 50.5 m; length - 46.59 m; height - 14.8 m; normal takeoff weight - 190,000 kg; maximum cruising speed - 800 km / h; range - 7500 km; ceiling - 12000 m; target detection range: air - 240 km, surface - 380 km; crew - 5 people + 10 people tactical calculation

Rice. 6. Combat attack helicopter Ka-52 "Alligator": rotor diameter - 14.50 m; length with rotating screws - 15.90 m; maximum weight - 10,400 kg; ceiling - 5500 m; range - 520 km; armament - 30-mm cannon with 500 rounds of ammunition; combat load - 2000 kg on 4 hardpoints (ATGM, unified containers with machine-gun and cannon weapons, NUR, UR); crew - 2 people

Rice. 7. Anti-aircraft rocket system S-300-PM: hit targets - aircraft, winged and tactical missiles all types; affected area - range 5-150 km, height 0.025-28 km; the number of simultaneously hit targets - up to 6; the number of simultaneously aimed missiles at the target - 12; readiness for combat work from the march - 5 minutes

The Russian Federation is a mighty power; this is no secret to anyone. Therefore, many are interested in how many aircraft are in service with Russia and how mobile and modern military equipment is? According to analytical studies, the modern Russian Air Force really has huge amount such a technique. The world-famous publication Flight International proved this fact by publishing in its publication a rating of countries that have the most powerful air weapons.

"Swifts"

  1. The leader in this ranking is America. The US Army has about 26% of the military air assets that have been created in the world. According to data published in the publication, the US Army has about 13,717 military aircraft, of which about 586 military tankers.
  2. The second place of honor was taken by the army of the Russian Federation. How many military aircraft does Russia have according to Flight International? According to data published by the publication, the Russian army currently has 3,547 aircraft that can be used for military purposes. If translated into percentages, this will indicate that about 7% of all military courts that exist in the world belong to the Russian Federation. This year, the country's army should be replenished with new Su-34 bombers, which showed themselves well during the hostilities that unfolded in Syria. Analysts say that by the end of the year the number of vehicles of this type will reach 123 units, which will significantly increase the capacity Russian army.
  3. In third place in the ranking is the Chinese Air Force.
  • about 1,500 air assets;
  • approximately 800 helicopters;
  • about 120 Harbin Z attack rotorcraft.

In total, according to the publication, the Chinese army has 2942 units of aircraft, that is, 6% of all military aircraft in the world. After reviewing the published data, Russian experts noted that some of the information is indeed true, however, not all facts can be called reliable. Therefore, you should not try to find the answer to the question - how many aircraft does Russia have, using only this source. Experts noted that the publication was not fully able to analyze the strategically important aerial equipment, and if you make a comparison between combat aircraft and transport-combat vessels belonging to the army of the Russian Federation and the United States, you will notice that the American Air Force is not so superior to the Russian air fleet, as Flight International experts say.

The composition of the air fleet of the Russian Federation

So how many planes does Russia really have in service? It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally, because the number military equipment is not officially published anywhere, this information is kept in the strictest confidence. But, as you know, even the strictest secret can be revealed, even if only partially. So, according to the information that was published by a reliable source, the Russian air fleet is indeed inferior, although not by much, american army. The source indicates that in the arsenal of the Russian air force there are about 3600 aviation technology, which is operated by the army and about a thousand is in storage. The fleet of the Russian Federation includes:

  • long-range military equipment;
  • military transport aircraft;
  • military aviation;
  • anti-aircraft, radio engineering and missile troops;
  • troops for communications and intelligence.

In addition to the above units, the Air Force includes troops involved in rescue operations, rear services and engineering units.

The military fleet of aircraft is constantly replenished with aircraft; at present, the Russian army has the following aircraft in its arsenal:

  • Su-30 M2 and Su-30 SM;
  • Su-24 and Su-35;
  • MiG-29 SMT;
  • Il-76 Md-90 A;
  • Yak-130.

In addition, the army also owns military helicopters:

  • Mi-8 AMTSh/MTV-5-1;
  • Ka-52;
  • Mi-8 MTPR and MI-35 M;
  • Mi-26 and Ka-226.

In the army of the Russian Federation he serves about 170000 Human. 40000 of them are officers.

Victory Parade on Red Square

What types of structures operate in the army?

main structures Russian fleet are:

  • brigades;
  • bases on which air force equipment is located;
  • command staff of the army;
  • a separate command staff that controls the activities of long-range aviation;
  • commanders in charge of the air transport troops.

Currently, there are 4 commands in the Russian navy, they are located;

  • in the Novosibirsk region;
  • in the Khabarovsk district;
  • in Rostov-on-Don;
  • in St. Petersburg.

Relatively recently officers several reforms have been made. After their completion, the previously called regiments were renamed into air bases. Currently, there are air bases in Russia about 70.

Tasks of the Russian Air Force

The Air Force of the Russian Federation must perform the following tasks:

  1. Repel an enemy attack both in the sky and in outer space;
  2. Act as a defender against an air enemy for the following objects: military and government; administrative and industrial; for other objects that are valuable to the country.
  3. To repel an enemy attack, the Russian navy can use any munitions, including nuclear ones.
  4. Vessels, if necessary, must conduct reconnaissance from the sky.
  5. Air equipment, during military operations, should provide support from the sky for other branches of the armed forces that are in the army of the Russian Federation.

The Russian military fleet is constantly replenished with new aircraft, and old aircraft are certainly updated. As it became known, the Russian Air Force began to develop a 5th generation military fighter jointly with the navies of the United States, India and China. Apparently soon Russian base will be replenished with a completely new flying technology of the 5th generation.

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The latest best military aircraft of the Air Force of Russia and the world photos, pictures, videos about the value of a fighter aircraft as a combat weapon capable of providing "air supremacy" was recognized by the military circles of all states by the spring of 1916. This required the creation of a special combat aircraft that surpasses all others in terms of speed, maneuverability, altitude and the use of offensive small arms. In November 1915, Nieuport II Webe biplanes arrived at the front. This is the first aircraft built in France, which was intended for air combat.

The most modern domestic military aircraft in Russia and the world owe their appearance to the popularization and development of aviation in Russia, which was facilitated by the flights of Russian pilots M. Efimov, N. Popov, G. Alekhnovich, A. Shiukov, B. Rossiysky, S. Utochkin. The first began to appear domestic cars designers J. Gakkel, I. Sikorsky, D. Grigorovich, V. Slesarev, I. Steglau. In 1913, the heavy aircraft "Russian Knight" made its first flight. But one cannot fail to recall the first aircraft creator in the world - Captain 1st Rank Alexander Fedorovich Mozhaisky.

Soviet military aircraft of the Great USSR Patriotic War sought to hit the enemy troops, his communications and other objects in the rear with air strikes, which led to the creation of bomber aircraft capable of carrying a large bomb load over considerable distances. The variety of combat missions for bombing enemy forces in the tactical and operational depth of the fronts led to the understanding of the fact that their performance should be commensurate with the tactical and technical capabilities of a particular aircraft. Therefore, the design teams had to resolve the issue of specialization of bomber aircraft, which led to the emergence of several classes of these machines.

Types and classification, latest models military aircraft of Russia and the world. It was obvious that it would take time to create a specialized fighter aircraft, so the first step in this direction was to try to equip existing aircraft with small arms offensive weapons. Mobile machine-gun mounts, which began to equip the aircraft, required excessive efforts from the pilots, since the control of the machine in a maneuverable battle and the simultaneous firing of an unstable weapon reduced the effectiveness of firing. The use of a two-seat aircraft as a fighter, where one of the crew members played the role of a gunner, also created certain problems, because an increase in the weight and drag of the machine led to a decrease in its flight qualities.

What are the planes. In our years, aviation has made a big qualitative leap, expressed in a significant increase in flight speed. This was facilitated by progress in the field of aerodynamics, the creation of new more powerful engines, structural materials, radio electronic equipment. computerization of calculation methods, etc. Supersonic speeds have become the main modes of fighter flight. However, the race for speed also had its negative sides - the take-off and landing characteristics and maneuverability of aircraft deteriorated sharply. During these years, the level of aircraft construction reached such a level that it was possible to start creating aircraft with a variable sweep wing.

In order to further increase the flight speeds of jet fighters exceeding the speed of sound, Russian combat aircraft required an increase in their power-to-weight ratio, an increase in the specific characteristics of turbojet engines, and also an improvement in the aerodynamic shape of the aircraft. For this purpose, engines with an axial compressor were developed, which had smaller frontal dimensions, higher efficiency and better weight characteristics. For a significant increase in thrust, and hence the flight speed, afterburners were introduced into the engine design. The improvement of the aerodynamic forms of the aircraft consisted in the use of wings and empennage with large sweep angles (in the transition to thin delta wings), as well as supersonic air intakes.