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

A little history

History in the modern sense begins in 1998. It was then that the Air Force 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, even now they no longer exist as such. Since last year, 2015, there has been the Aerospace Forces (VKS). By combining space and air forces, it was possible to consolidate potential and resources, as well as concentrate command in one hand - due to which the effectiveness of the forces increased. In any case, this is exactly how the need to form the VKS was justified.

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

Structure

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

TO special forces also includes meteorological, topographic and geodetic, engineering, radiochemical protection, aeronautics, and also engineering. But this is not yet full list. It is also complemented by support, search and rescue, and meteorological services. But, in addition to the above, there are units whose main task is to protect military command and control bodies.

Other structure features

It should be noted that the structure that distinguishes the Air Force of the Russian Federation also has divisions. 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. Units can include special, transport, reconnaissance, fighter aircraft, as well as attack and bomber aircraft. And each has its own tasks, which the Air Force obliges them to carry out.

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

The situation in the 21st century

Every person who understands this topic at least a little knows perfectly well that in the 90s the air force of the Russian Federation was actively degrading. And all due to the fact that the number of troops and their level of training was very small. Plus, the technology 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 work began regarding 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 improvement of the entire system as a whole began.

Symbolism

The Air Force flag is very bright and noticeable. This is a cloth blue color, in the center of which there is an image of two silver propellers. They seem to intersect with each other. Along with them is depicted anti-aircraft gun. And the background is made up of silvery wings. In general, it’s quite original and symbolic. Golden rays seem to emanate from the center of the cloth (there are 14 of them). By the way, their location is strictly regulated - this is not a chaotic choice. If you turn on your fantasy and imagination, 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 into history, you can understand that this is so. Because in Soviet time the flag was a blue banner with a golden sun, in the middle of which was a red star with a hammer and sickle in the center. And just below are silver wings that seem to be attached to a black propeller ring.

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

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

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

Total strength of the Air Force

So, let's start with the main thing - the total number of the Air Force by 2020. This number will be made up of newly built aircraft and their modernized “senior colleagues.”

In his program article, V.V. Putin indicated 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 provided slightly different data: “... By the end of 2020, we will receive about two thousand new aviation complexes from industrial enterprises, including 985 helicopters».

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

S. Shoigu mentioned, in fact, no less than 700-800 aircraft (we 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”. And money for the “extra” 100-200 vehicles (even taking into account the refusal of “Ruslans”) will need to be raised additionally, especially if you purchase fighters and front-line bombers (with an average price of the Su-30SM of 40 million dollars per unit, it will be astronomical the figure is up to a quarter of a trillion rubles for 200 vehicles, despite the fact that the PAK FA or Su-35S are more expensive).

Thus, it is most likely that purchases will increase due to cheaper combat training Yak-130 (especially since it is very necessary), attack aircraft and UAVs (it seems that work has intensified, according to media materials). Although the additional purchase of Su-34 up to 140 units. can also happen. Now there are about 24 of them. + about 120 Su-24M. There will be – 124 pcs. But to replace front-line bombers in the 1 x 1 format, another dozen and a half Su-34s will be required.

Based on the data provided, it seems appropriate to take average figures of 700 aircraft and 1000 helicopters. Total – 1700 boards.

Now let's move on to the modernized technology. In general, by 2020 the share of aircraft new technology 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 at 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 turns out to be moderately optimistic. By simple calculations (X=1700x30/70), we get (approximately) 730 modernized sides. In other words, the strength of the Russian Air Force by 2020 is planned to be in the region of 2430-2500 aircraft and helicopters.

WITH total number Looks like we've sorted it out. Let's move on 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 pcs.), (96 pcs.), as well as Mi-35M (48 pcs.). A total of 284 units were planned. (not including some vehicles lost in aircraft accidents).

| Types of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation | Aerospace Forces (VKS). Air Force

Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

Aerospace Forces (VKS)

Air Force

From the history of creation

Aviation took its first steps without a sufficient scientific base, only thanks to enthusiasts. However, in late XIX- early 20th century Theoretical and experimental research appeared in this area. The leading role in the development of aviation belongs to the Russian scientists N. E. Zhukovsky and S. A. Chaplygin. The first successful flight of the aircraft was carried out on December 17, 1903 by American mechanics brothers W. and O. Wright.

Subsequently, various types of aircraft were created in Russia and some other countries. Their speed then reached 90-120 km/h. The use of aviation during the First World War determined the significance of the aircraft as a new weapon, caused the division of aviation into fighter, bomber and reconnaissance.

In the warring countries, during the war years, the fleet of aircraft expanded and their characteristics improved. The speed of the fighters reached 200-220 km/h, and the ceiling increased from 2 to 7 km. From the mid-20s. XX century Duralumin began to be widely used in aircraft construction. In the 30s in the design of aircraft they switched from a biplane to a monoplane, which made it possible to increase the speed of fighters to 560-580 km/h.

The Second World War became a powerful impetus for the development of aviation. World War. After it, jet aviation and helicopter manufacturing began to develop rapidly. Supersonic aircraft appeared in the Air Force. In the 80s Much attention was paid to the creation of short takeoff and landing aircraft, high payload capacity, and improvement of helicopters. Currently, some countries are working to create and improve orbital and aerospace aircraft.

Organizational structure of the Air Force

• Air Force Command
• Aviation (types of aviation - bomber, attack, fighter, air defense, reconnaissance, transport and special);
• Anti-aircraft missile forces
• Radio technical troops
• Special troops
• units and institutions of the rear

Air Force- the most mobile and maneuverable branch of the Armed Forces, designed to protect the bodies of higher state and military administration, strategic nuclear forces, groupings of troops, important administrative-industrial centers and regions of the country from reconnaissance and air strikes, striking at enemy aviation, land and naval groups, its administrative-political, industrial-economic centers in order to disorganize state and military administration, disrupt the work of the rear and transport, as well as maintaining aerial reconnaissance And air transport. They can perform these tasks under any weather conditions, at any time of day or year.

The main tasks of the Air Force in modern conditions are:
• revealing the beginning of an enemy air attack;
• notifying the main headquarters of the Armed Forces, headquarters of military districts, fleets, and civil defense authorities about the beginning of an enemy air attack;
• gaining and maintaining air supremacy;
• covering troops and rear facilities from aerial reconnaissance, air and space strikes;
• air support Ground Forces and Navy forces;
• defeat of enemy military-economic potential facilities;
• violation of military and government controlled enemy;
• defeat of enemy nuclear missile, anti-aircraft and aviation groups and their reserves, as well as air and sea landings;
• defeat of enemy naval groups at sea, ocean, naval bases, ports and bases;
• the release of military equipment and the landing of troops;
• air transportation of troops and military equipment;
• conducting strategic, operational and tactical air reconnaissance;
• control over the use of airspace in the border strip.

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 forces;
• radio technical troops;
• special troops;
• units and institutions of the rear.

The aviation units are armed with airplanes, seaplanes and helicopters. The basis of the Air Force's combat power is supersonic all-weather aircraft equipped with a variety of bomber, missile and small arms weapons.

The anti-aircraft missile and radio technical troops are armed with various anti-aircraft missile systems, short-range air defense systems, radar stations and other means of armed warfare.

IN Peaceful time The Air Force carries out tasks to protect the state border of Russia in the airspace and alerts about flights of foreign reconnaissance vehicles in the border zone.

Bomber aircraft has long-range (strategic) and front-line (tactical) bombers in service various types. It is designed to defeat troop groups, destroy important military, energy facilities and communications centers primarily in the strategic and operational depths of enemy defenses. 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 air support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects primarily at the front line, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as command of the fight against aircraft enemy in the air.
One of the main requirements for an attack aircraft is high accuracy in hitting ground targets. Weapons: large-caliber guns, bombs, rockets.

Fighter aircraft air defense is the main maneuverable force of the air defense system and is designed to cover the most important directions and objects from enemy air attack. She is capable of destroying the enemy at maximum ranges from defended objects.
The air defense aviation is armed with air defense fighter aircraft, combat helicopters, special and transport aircraft and helicopters.

Reconnaissance aircraft designed for conducting aerial reconnaissance of the enemy, terrain and weather, and can destroy hidden enemy objects.
Reconnaissance flights can also be carried out by bomber, fighter-bomber, attack and fighter aircraft. For this purpose, they are specially equipped with day and night photographic equipment at various scales, high-resolution radio and radar stations, heat direction finders, sound recording and television equipment, and magnetometers.
Reconnaissance aviation is divided into tactical, operational and strategic reconnaissance aviation.

Transport aviation designed for the transportation of troops, military equipment, weapons, ammunition, fuel, food, airborne landings, evacuation of the wounded, sick, etc.

Special aviation designed for long-range radar detection and guidance, refueling aircraft in the air, conducting 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 forces but are intended to protect the country’s most important facilities and troop groups from enemy air strikes.
They constitute the main firepower of the air defense system and are armed with anti-aircraft guns. missile systems and anti-aircraft missile systems for various purposes, possessing great firepower and high accuracy in destroying enemy air attack weapons.

Radio technical troops- the main source of information about the air enemy and are intended for conducting radar reconnaissance, monitoring the flights of their aircraft and compliance by aircraft of all departments with the rules for the use of airspace.
They provide information about the beginning of an air attack, combat information for anti-aircraft missile forces and air defense aviation, as well as information for managing air defense formations, units and subunits.
Radio technical troops are armed with radar stations and radar systems capable of meteorological conditions and interference, detect not only air, but also surface targets.

Communication units and subdivisions designed for deployment and operation of communication systems in order to ensure command and control of troops in all types of combat activities.

Electronic warfare units and units designed to interfere with airborne radars, bomb sights, communications and radio navigation of enemy air attack systems.

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

Units and subdivisions engineering troops, as well as parts and units of radiation, chemical and biological protection are designed to perform the most complex tasks engineering and chemical support, respectively.

The Russian Federation is a powerful power, this is no secret to anyone. Therefore, many are interested in how many aircraft Russia has in service and how mobile and modern its military equipment is? According to analytical research, the modern Russian Air Force really has a huge amount such technology. The world-famous publication Flight International proved this fact by publishing in its publication a ranking 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 its military air assets that were created in the world. According to data published in the publication, the American Army has about 13,717 military aircraft, of which about 586 are military refueling vessels.
2. The army of the Russian Federation took the third place of honor. 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, which can be used for military purposes. If translated into percentages, this will indicate that about 7% of all military vessels 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 excellent performance during the military operations that unfolded in Syria. Analysts claim that by the end of the year the number of equipment 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 available 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 Russian and US armies, you will notice that the American Air Force is not as superior to the Russian air fleet as Flight International experts claim.

Composition of the Russian Air Force

So how many aircraft does Russia really have in service? It is impossible to answer this question unambiguously, because the number military equipment It 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 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 air force Russia has about 3,600 aircraft that are operated by the army and about a thousand are in storage. The Russian Navy includes:

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

In addition to the above units, the air force includes troops participating in rescue operations, logistics services and engineering units.

The military aircraft fleet is constantly replenished with aircraft; currently the Russian army has the following military 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 where military air equipment is located;
• army command staff;
• a separate command staff supervising the activities of long-range aviation;
• command staff in charge of transport air forces.

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, the officer corps carried out several reforms. After their completion, the previously named 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 enemy attacks both in the sky and in outer space;
2. Act as a defender against enemy air 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 ammunition, including nuclear.
4. Vessels, if necessary, should conduct reconnaissance from the sky.
5. During military operations, air equipment must provide support from the sky for other branches of the armed forces that are available 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 has begun developing a 5th generation military fighter together with the navies of the United States, India and China. Apparently, soon Russian base will be replenished with completely new 5th generation flying equipment.