When will the 105th anniversary of the Air Force be celebrated? WWII-era aircraft will perform at the parade in honor of the Air Force's anniversary. Formation of the Air Fleet

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. This is a holiday of Russian and Soviet military pilots - the Day of the Foundation of the Russian Air Force. Dmitry Drozdenko spoke about the significance of this day for our country and why it is “a holiday with tears in his eyes.” I remember the nineties of the last century very well. Before those years, our Air Force was more than strong. They consisted of 38 divisions and 211 aviation regiments. We had experienced and courageous pilots, excellent instructors, advanced technology and the most advanced aviation science at that time. Our missile carriers plied the air ocean in the area of ​​​​the San Diego coastline, and the pilots long-range aviation

really tired of flying. The Soviet Air Force could accomplish almost any task. We were respected.

The 90s have arrived. First we ran out of kerosene, then spare parts. We “sat down” on the ground and explained to the pilots that they are no longer the elite and are not needed by their country. They stopped paying salaries. Then the USSR disappeared. It was a tragedy. And not only because our wings were “clipped,” but because the Russian Air Force has a long and truly glorious history, and when it began to be stained in the dashing 90s, many were very hurt.

The first of the first August 12 was not chosen for the celebration by chance. It was on this day in 1912 that a special aeronautical unit was formed in the Main Directorate of the General Staff. The First World War gave a strong impetus to development military aviation

. Flimsy, “plywood” shelves of that time were used for reconnaissance and adjustment of artillery fire, hitting ground and air targets.

And then there was a revolution, after which aviation also changed, which after the end civil war in the young Land of Soviets began to develop rapidly. The beginning of the journey was very difficult, but already in 1924-1933 the children of “Ilya Muromets” were put into service - heavy bombers TB-1, TB-3, SB, DB-3. I-2, I-3, I-4, I-5 fighters took to the skies; in the 1940s, serial production of new Yak-1, MiG-3, LaGG-3 fighters, Pe-2, Pe-8 bombers began , Il-2 attack aircraft.

Hot war

In the first days, even hours, of the Great Patriotic War Soviet aviation suffered heavy losses. Our planes, under the vile blows of the Nazis, burned at field airfields without even having time to start the engines. Then we gave up our sky... In incredibly difficult conditions, measures were taken to strengthen the Air Force, rebuild the aviation industry and train pilots and aviation technicians. Our sky had to be returned. The German command thought that the immediate destruction of most of the Soviet Air Force meant their end. The Nazis were wrong.

With incredible, superhuman efforts, the aviation industry was evacuated and restarted. The planes were assembled under open air, in rain and snow. The student pilots, having just learned to take off, went to the front, and there, gritting their teeth from overload and bleeding, they fought with experienced German aces. They died, but did not give up. By mid-summer 1943, Soviet aviation had grounded the Luftwaffe and firmly gained strategic air supremacy. The course of the war changed irreversibly. We divided it.

Cold War

After the war, the world changed, and not in the “side of the world.” Before our people had time to rejoice at the difficult Victory, war was declared on us again. Yesterday’s “allies” announced. It was announced by those who, like the fascists, decided that our country has no right to exist. This war, fortunately, was “cold”. Air Force again found themselves at the forefront of the attack.

Those years saw a fundamental technological leap from piston-powered aircraft to jet aircraft. Speed, altitude, and flight range have increased by an order of magnitude. Supersonic sound was overcome and the stratosphere was reached. Long-range aviation took nuclear bombs into their bomb bays, and then thermonuclear bomb. This is how strategic aviation appeared.

Then, in addition to supersonic and stratosphere, we learned to hang in the air. Appeared new class aviation machines - helicopters. Moreover, in this class, despite the initial lag, we have become world leaders and trendsetters. If the first helicopters with their silhouette resembled foreign cars, then the Mi-6, Mi-10 and V-12 simply tore the world apart. Great, I’m not afraid of this word, the Mi-8 helicopter is still the undisputed world leader, both in the number of vehicles produced and in terms of lifespan. The machine has development potential in our 21st century.

And then the 90s came.

More than a third of our aviation group remained on the territory of the former Soviet republics after the collapse of the USSR (more than 3,400 aircraft, including 2,500 combat aircraft). And for new border Russia was left with the most prepared airfield network for basing military aviation. As a result, compared to the USSR, the airfield system was reduced by almost half. Aviation equipment also remained abroad. The Western strategic direction suffered the most. Ukraine. Sorry, “you can’t erase words from a song.”

In 1998, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and the Pentagon signed an agreement to eliminate 44 heavy strategic bombers and 1,068 air-launched Kh-55 cruise missiles. All this remained in Ukraine after the collapse of the USSR. 19 White Swans and Tu-160 were supposed to be destroyed within the framework of the international START-1 agreement, and 16 Tu-160 aircraft were planned to be disposed of. Ukraine, having received American pennies, sorry - cents, began to destroy the best strategic bombers in the world. In the presence of American senators Richard Lugar and Carl Levin, I can imagine how they rejoiced, the guillotine fell on the first Soviet Tu-160 with tail number “24”.

This strategic bomber was 9 years old and had flown only 466 hours. His paint hadn’t even had time to fade. What happened next was difficult, but on November 6, 1999, a Tu-160 with tail number “10”, taking off in Priluki, landed at the Russian airbase in Engels. The plane was ferried by a Russian crew consisting of Lieutenant Colonel Alexey Serebryakov, Major Alexey Kalinin, Lieutenant Colonel Igor Sazonov and Major Yuri Paltusov. By April 2000, all planes had flown to the airfield near Engels. Then the trouble affected not only long-range aviation, it affected everyone. The level of flight and combat training of Air Force pilots has sharply decreased. We sat down on the ground, the planes and the sky were taken away from us again...

Modern and combat-ready

Now, we have not the Air Force but the Military Space Forces - VKS. Looking at the air parades, the flights of our newest planes and helicopters at MAKS, the mind simply explodes - how? The power of the aircraft and the professionalism of the pilots are simply amazing. These modern machines are already in service with the troops. In ordinary combat units. They are truly perfect. Russia has confidently entered the 21st century.

How were we able to turn the wheel of history again and return our country to its rightful place of leadership? It seems to me that historically everything is simple - the Russian spirit and the karma of our country. Moreover, by the word Russian I do not mean a nationality, but a nation, which includes and will include many different nationalities - a single people. It's Russia.

Terminator script

The famous American director Oliver Stone once asked Vladimir Putin what would happen if a nuclear war broke out, even a limited one. Will anyone survive? Our President very casually said that no one would survive, neither here, nor there, nor with them... Then we were “hot” nuclear war What saved us was the presence of a bomb and the availability of delivery vehicles: missiles and aircraft. We got a cold war. There is no need to create illusions and talk about any kind of peaceful existence with the American establishment. Not by the people, but precisely with their leadership.

It was not the people who decided to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and burned hundreds of thousands of civilians alive; it was not the people who gave the order to pour thousands of tons of burning napalm, chemical and biological weapons onto the roofs of Vietnamese villages. Not the people of America, but their rulers, already in modern history, for the sake of their interests, they give the order, using a missile and bomb roller, to roll countries and civilizations “to zero.” But the people, or rather part of it - the US Army, carry out these orders.

Strange as it may sound, but then the world on the planet was saved soviet bomb, rocket and our Air Force. And remember - the USA is the only country on the planet that has used atomic bomb. Compared to this, other “successes” of American democracy: carpet bombing, the massive use of chemical and bacteriological weapons are nothing. We must not forget about this.

One hundred and five years of Russian sky

Today is a holiday of Russian military aviation. 105 years since its appearance in our country. 105 aircraft will fly through the skies of the Kubinka airfield. Beauty. The beauty of flight and the skill of a man driving a heavy multi-ton machine dancing in the sky.

“...Don’t pull the handle, hold it lightly, like a feather. Feel it..."

MOSCOW, August 12 – RIA Novosti. A large-scale air parade dedicated to the 105th anniversary of the Russian Air Force, in which legendary aircraft from the First and Second World Wars, as well as aerobatic teams, will take part, will take place on Saturday, August 12, in Kubinka (Patriot Park) near Moscow, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported yesterday .

Exactly 105 years ago - in 1912 in Russian Empire An order was issued introducing the Staff of the aeronautical unit of the Main Directorate of the Army General Staff. It is this event that is considered to be the birthday of Russian military aviation, which served as the basis for the establishment of Air Force Day in the country in 1997. Today, the legal successor of the Air Force is the Aerospace Forces (VKS) of the Russian Federation, formed as a result of the merger of the Air Force and the Aerospace Defense Forces.

Air parade in Kubinka

It is expected that visitors to the parade in Kubinka will be able to see rare aircraft from the First and Second World Wars, which were specially restored for this holiday, including Farman, Piper KEB, Yak-52, Yak-30, Yak-18, Douglas DC-3 , Po-2, Il-2, MiG-3, MiG-15 and others.

In addition, almost everyone will take part in the air show modern types Russian aircraft: A-50, An-148, Il-76, Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22M3, Su-34, Su-35, Su-24, MiG-31 and others. Also based in Kubinka are Mi-8 helicopters with the flags of the branches and branches of the Armed Forces, combat training Yak-130, Su-35 from the Lipetsk air group "Falcons of Russia" and Su-25 attack aircraft, which will paint the sky above the "Patriot" in Russian colors flag.

All Russian aerobatic aviation teams traditionally take part in the parade: Swifts, Russian Knights, Falcons of Russia, as well as the only air group in the Russian Federation flying Mi-28N Berkut helicopters.

It won't do without promising developments- at the anniversary of the Air Force, the newest fifth-generation fighter Su-57 (previously known as the PAK FA and T-50) and the light fighter of the 4++ generation MiG-35, undergoing tests today, will take to the skies over Kubinka.

Prospects for the Russian Aerospace Forces

Russian military aviation is celebrating its anniversary against the backdrop of a large-scale renewal of its technical fleet: according to the Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, Colonel-General Viktor Bondarev, in 2017 alone, the Russian Aerospace Forces will receive about 120 new aircraft and helicopters and about the same number of vehicles next year.

At the same time, the Russian military department is not limited to purchases modern cars, but also expects a number of fifth-generation aircraft projects from the aviation industry. The first such aircraft in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces will be the Su-57 fighter, equipped with a fundamentally new avionics system and a promising phased array radar. The first production batch of 12 fighters is expected to be delivered in 2019.

At the same time, the Russian aircraft manufacturing corporation MiG also plans to work on a fifth-generation light fighter. According to the general director of the company, Ilya Tarasenko, in the near future, the company’s specialists also plan to begin research work on the latest PAK DP fighter-interceptor, which should replace the MiG-31 within 10 years.

Work on the promising PAK DA bomber is not progressing so quickly; the launch date is mass production which was repeatedly shifted.

Thus, Bondarev reported that these aircraft will begin to arrive in Russian troops in 2023. Before this, a different date was given - 2020. Subsequently, Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Yuri Borisov told reporters that serial production of the PAK DA is planned to begin even later - in 2028-2029.

The bomber will be subsonic and will be able to solve tasks that are currently occupied by three types of long-range aircraft - Tu-160, Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3. According to the deputy minister, the PAK DA should be able to carry as much as possible more weapons, be invisible and use any airfields.

However, Long-Range Aviation will not have to wait another 12 years for a new aircraft - by decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin, a program to resume production of the Tu-160 bomber was launched in 2015 (" White Swan"). According to the plans of the military department, the first flight of its modernized version of the Tu-160M2 is planned for 2018, and starting from 2021, it is planned to purchase 50 such machines in the interests of the Aerospace Forces.

As a result of modernization, the strategic missile carrier should become an aircraft with a completely new “filling”, but the old appearance of the airframe; its efficiency will increase by 2.5 times compared to its predecessor.

These are not all the promising aviation projects being prepared today by the domestic military-industrial complex - within the framework of the new state arms program 2018-2025, aviation will receive a new early warning aircraft (analogous to the American AWACS) A-100 Premier, the latest MiG-35 fighter, and the military transport Il. -112V, training Yak-152 and other machines.

The future is drones

At the same time, today the Russian defense industry cannot boast of such serious successes in the field of unmanned aircraft, primarily strike aircraft, lagging behind the United States and Israel in this area.

Today, the Russian Aerospace Forces do not have attack UAVs. The troops use only light short-range drones as reconnaissance and target designators. In particular, Orlan unmanned aerial vehicles are used in Syria.

At the same time, a number of military-industrial complex enterprises are currently working on the creation of attack UAVs. In particular, as a source in the industry told RIA Novosti, the Simonov Joint Design Bureau (formerly the Sokol Design Bureau) and the Sukhoi holding are conducting development work to create medium- and long-range attack drones "Zenitsa" (to be launched from an aircraft) and "Okhotnik-U" (will be launched from the ground), the stated speed of which will be 800 kilometers per hour.

Moreover, about creating attack drone Ilya Tarasenko, general director of RSK MiG, stated in 2017.

The next, sixth generation of Russian combat aviation, the appearance of which specialists from the military department and the aviation industry began to shape in 2016, should also become partially unmanned.

It is expected that in the future fighter aircraft and UAVs will be able to be integrated into unified system control and work in a "pack". At the same time, according to experts, in the foreseeable future it is unlikely that it will be possible to completely abandon “animate” aircraft.

August 12 is Aerospace Forces Day in Russia. Domestic military aviation is 105 years old. The culmination of the holiday is a grand air show with the participation of more than 150 aircraft in Kubinka. On the ground and in the sky, the entire history of the air fleet - from the first aircraft to fifth-generation fighters. The main news of the day was announced by the Minister of Defense.

There are thousands of people in the stands at Patriot Park. All eyes are on the sky, where the Swifts are replaced by the Russian Knights, and those by the Falcons of Russia. The number of aces gathered in one place at one time makes your head spin, even if you don’t lift it.

On the occasion of the holiday, the Aerospace Forces lifted everything into the sky near Moscow - here are literally all types of aircraft and helicopters that they have in service. In total, more than 150 cars participate in the festival!

Airplanes were sent here from 10 airfields - aerobatic teams from Kubinka, helicopters from Klin, latest generation fighters from Zhukovsky. And it’s not just the amount of equipment. In addition to the widely presented modern aircraft, flying rarities also took to the skies - restored aircraft of the Second and even the First World War - Yaks, the first MiGs. Here is the Douglas - at the helm of former Air Force Commander-in-Chief Pyotr Deinekin, at 79 years old!

Plays out on the ground and in the sky historical reconstruction which ends in our victory. After which the attention of the audience switches to the heroes of our days. The pride of the VKS - the Su-35S - is spinning figures at supercritical angles of attack. And the most anticipated event, one of the most spectacular, is a demonstration air battle between two fifth-generation fighters T-50, or Su-57: just the day before it became known that this is the serial name that will be given to the superfighter, which they plan to replace in the Russian Aerospace Forces with the good old Su-27 .

The T-50 was presented to the general public six years ago, then it was, as they say, a development for the future - and now it has come: the Su-57 will begin to arrive in the troops next year.

The holiday began with an almost always obligatory, and in the army certainly inevitable, solemn part. Formation of personnel, report, anthem. This is where the officialdom ended. The commander-in-chief’s address is warm and sincere.

“I would like to express my deep gratitude to your families: wives, children, relatives, friends for believing in you and us, for the fact that they are waiting for us from flights, from long business trips, supporting you and us to fulfill any the assigned task,” said Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces Viktor Bondarev.

The audience seems to be imbued with this spirit. Wives and daughters are somewhere next to their beloved men - even those who don’t really see the action, but only hear. In general, the huge number of ladies among the spectators is simply amazing - and they also say that military aviation is not a woman’s business.

“How is it not feminine?! Did Tereshkova fly? What about the partisans? Our women, old ladies? Personally, my grandmother is a veteran!” - the guest of the holiday objects.

We receive strong confirmation from the head of the Ministry of Defense Sergei Shoigu. Before the start of the show, he toured the historical exhibition, where, in particular, they sang “Darkie” to him. And then, in an interview with Channel One, the minister announced very unexpected news on women’s issues: soon military aircraft will be piloted by ladies.

“There are a huge number of girls who would like to become military pilots. We received hundreds of letters. We cannot but respond to this request. This year we will recruit the first group to the Krasnodar military aviation school. From October 1 this year, the first group of girls will begin training to become military pilots. I hope that in five years they will decorate this holiday with their skill,” said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Those interested are literally right there, a few minutes after the minister’s departure.

“It was great, it was cool. We are glad that we visited here. I want to become a military man, I want to fly and go to flight school. This is so cool,” says the girl.

“I myself want to become a fighter pilot, I’m striving for this,” says the young man.

Well, another pleasant surprise. This, which rarely happens this summer, was prepared by the weather for the audience. In the morning there was a warm sun over the Moscow region and clear sky– it’s a pleasure to fly and watch! Regardless of gender.

PATRIOT PARK (Moscow region), August 12. /TASS/. The most high-tech branch of the Russian Armed Forces - Russian military aviation - celebrates the 105th anniversary of its founding on Saturday. As Colonel General Viktor Bondarev, Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation, Hero of Russia, told reporters, a grandiose air show will take place over the Patriot Park on Aerospace Forces Day.

"We have been preparing for this day. Air festival- this is not only equipment in the air, but also a large part on the ground, the history of the creation of the Air Force. Everything will be very interesting, we will show their development,” he said.

The aviation festival will last for two and a half hours. During this time, more than 150 aircraft- from unique restored aircraft from the First and Second World Wars to the fifth generation Su-57 fighters.

Among the rare flying machines are Farman, Piper Cub, Yak-52, Yak-30, Yak-18, Douglas DC-3, Po-2, Il-2, MiG-3, MiG-15UTI. All flying legends are based at the Kubinka airfield near Moscow during the preparation and holding of the air parade on Aerospace Forces Day.

All types of aircraft and helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces will take part in the air festival. These are the A-50, An-148, Il-76, Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22M3, Su-34, Su-35, Su-24, MiG-31 and others. Mi-8 helicopters with the flags of the branches and branches of the Armed Forces, combat training Yak-130, Su-35 from the Lipetsk air group "Falcons of Russia" and Su-25 attack aircraft, which will paint the sky above the "Patriot" in the colors of the Russian flag, are based in Kubinka .

All aerobatic aviation teams traditionally take part in the parade: “Swifts”, “Russian Knights”, “Falcons of Russia” and the only air group in Russia flying Mi-28N “Berkuts” helicopters.

The newest MiG-35 and Su-57 (PAK FA) aircraft will also fly in formation over the Patriot. In total, more than 10 airfields throughout Russia will be used for aviation flights on this holiday, for example, Su-57 will take off from the M. M. Gromov Flight Research Institute in Ramenskoye, and all helicopters are stationed in Klin.

history of the holiday

Russian military aviation was created on August 12, 1912. On that day, by order of the military department, the staff of the aeronautical unit of the Main Directorate of the General Staff was put into operation.

The domestic air force was involved in all wars and conflicts in which the Soviet Union and later Russia participated. It was military pilots who became the first of those to be awarded the title of Hero Soviet Union- the highest degree of distinction of the USSR.

The decision to celebrate Air Force Day was made by the President of the Russian Federation on August 29, 1997. The successor to the Air Force since 2015 is the new kind Armed Forces - Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation. Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 394 on the appointment of Colonel General Viktor Bondarev as Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces, and Lieutenant General Alexander Golovko as his deputy, was signed on August 1, 2015.

Wherein current system control of aviation forces and assets and air defense military districts remains unchanged: the general leadership of the air force space defense is still carried out by the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, and directly by the main command of the Aerospace Forces.

On August 12, Russia celebrates Aerospace Forces Day. 105 years ago by decree Russian Emperor Nicholas II, the staff of the aeronautical unit of the Main Directorate of the General Staff was formed. Over more than a century of history, Russian aviation has gone through a glorious military path. Today, the Russian Aerospace Forces are considered one of the strongest in the world. About new aircraft and prospects for the development of Russian military aviation - in the material of RT.

RIA Novosti Andrey Alexandrov

On August 12, 1912, by decree of the Russian Emperor Nicholas II, the staff of the aeronautical unit of the Main Directorate of the General Staff was formed. This day is considered to be the beginning of the creation of Russian military aviation. Russian Air Force Day was established by decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 2006. In 2015, the Air Force became part of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

In honor of the 105th anniversary of the formation of Russian military aviation, the Fast and the Furious aviation festival will be held in the Moscow region, in which more than 150 aircraft will take part.

A large-scale celebration of the anniversary of the Russian Military Space Forces will be held in the Patriot Park at the Kubinka airfield. The air show will last two hours. During this time, military pilots will demonstrate to the audience all types of domestic military aircraft from restored aircraft from the First and Second World Wars - Farman, Piper Cub, Douglas DC-3, Yak-52, Il-2, MiG-3, S-47, Su-34 - to the latest fighters - T-50, Su-35 and Su-30.

In addition, aviation groups “Swifts”, “Russian Knights”, “Falcons of Russia” and “Berkuts” will take to the skies. The pilots will demonstrate their skills in group and solo aerobatics and air combat techniques. The smoke show will be performed by Su-25 aircraft.

• globallookpress.com
• Bai Xueqi/Xinhua

As part of the celebration, viewers will be able not only to see all the capabilities of the modern Russian Aerospace Forces, but also to try themselves in the role of military pilots. Training simulators and simulators will be installed for festival visitors, where anyone can try their hand at flying aircraft.

At the end of the air event, awards will be given to distinguished servicemen of the Russian Aerospace Forces. They will be awarded state awards.

Flight through centuries

Russian military aviation has a long and glorious history. Russian combat aircraft took part in the First World War. Despite the fact that Russian industry at that time lagged behind the military industry of other countries and most aircraft were created at foreign factories, in 1915 domestic designers were able to create the world's first multi-engine bomber, the Ilya Muromets, and a specialized fighter aircraft to accompany it.

• 4-engine heavy bomber "Ilya Muromets"
• Wikimedia Commons

Much attention was paid to the development of military aviation in Soviet times. In the pre-war period, the USSR Armed Forces received many new models of military aircraft: Il-2 attack aircraft, MiG-3, Yak-1, LaGG-3 fighters. IN post-war period In the Soviet Union, fourth generation fighters were created - the Su-29 and MiG-27.

The Russian Aerospace Forces occupy a vital place in the armed forces of our country. Russian combat aircraft are considered among the most powerful in the world. In terms of the number of aircraft, domestic aerospace forces are second only to the United States. According to a 2015 ranking compiled by Flight International magazine, Russia has 3,547 combat aircraft, while the United States has 13,717 military aircraft.

In the sky above the Motherland

Until 2015, the Russian Air Force was a separate species troops of the country's armed forces. By decree of President Vladimir Putin, the air force became part of the Aerospace Forces (VKS) of Russia.

The structure of the Russian Aerospace Forces includes three types of troops: air force, air defense forces and missile defense, space forces.

The Russian Air Force includes long-range, military transport and army aviation, as well as anti-aircraft, missile and radio technical troops. In addition, the Russian air force has its own special troops, which provide reconnaissance and communications, engage in electronic warfare, rescue operations and defense against weapons mass destruction.

To the gallery page

The air and missile defense forces include radio technical troops and troops electronic warfare, fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft missile forces.

The tasks of the space forces include monitoring space objects, identifying and repelling possible threats in space, launching spacecraft and control of military satellites.

The main tasks of the Russian Aerospace Forces in Peaceful time are the protection of the country's state border in the airspace, alerting management about the flights of foreign reconnaissance vehicles in the border zone.

VKS is the air shield of the country's armed forces. And in conditions of hostilities, military aircraft are the first to fly out to protect the territories of the state from enemy air strikes, ensure actions Ground Forces and the Navy, strike at enemy air, land and sea forces, and ensure the transportation and airdrop of troops and military equipment.

At the combat post

Since 2015, Russian military pilots, at the request of the Syrian authorities, have been carrying out missions on the territory of the Syrian Arab Republic as part of a military operation against a terrorist group. Islamic State»*.

New modern threats require the modernization of the country's military space forces. According to the data open sources, the Russian Aerospace Forces fleet consists of more than 800 fighters (Su-27, Su-30, Su-33, Su-35, MiG-29, MiG-31), about 150 attack aircraft (Su-24 and Su-34), 200 attack aircraft (Su-25), 150 training aircraft (Yak-130, etc.), about 70 strategic bombers (Tu-95 and Tu-160), more than 40 long-range bombers Tu-22M3.

In 2016 in Armed forces Russia received 59 combat aircraft (12 MiG-29SMT, 2 Su-30M2, 17 Su-30SM, 16 Su-34, 12 Su-35S) and ten Yak-130 combat trainers.

New, modern, maneuverable

Today, the modernization of Russia's military air fleet is in full swing. The Russian Aerospace Forces are receiving new Su-35 fighters and Mi-28 helicopters “ Night Hunter" and Ka-52 "Alligator". However, according to experts, the most breakthrough developments will be fighters created under the programs of the advanced aviation complex of front-line and long-range aviation (PAK FA and PAK DA)

“The newest Russian aircraft of the fifth generation T-50, which has already received official name The Su-57 is a truly modern aircraft. It will be a stealth, super-maneuverable, multi-role fighter. This is our analogue of the American F-22 Raptor,” Dmitry Kornev, founder of the Military Russia portal, told RT.

• Airplane T-50
• RIA News
• Vladimir Astapkovich

According to the expert, it is assumed that a series of 12 front-line fighters will be launched by 2019.

Military expert Konstantin Sivkov noted in an interview with RT that the newest Russian Su-57 fighter is superior to its American counterpart in many respects.

“The Russian fighter is superior to the American F-22 Raptor in flight range, in terms of the missile weapons long range: our vehicle has a missile with a range of about 380 km. Moreover, the Su-57 is better than the Raptor in terms of air combat, and in terms of aerodynamics and hull configuration, our fighter is as stealthy as the American,” added RT’s interlocutor.

Experts told RT that Russia continues to improve the MiG-31 and MiG-31BM fighter-interceptors and the Su-24 M bomber. Assembly of the first serial Tu-160M2 strategic bomber has already begun, work is underway to create a light fighter and new types of helicopters.

• Su-30SM fighter escorting the Tu-160 missile-carrying bomber of the Russian Military Space Forces
• RIA News
• Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

In May 2017, Russia began developing a promising long-range aviation complex.

“This will truly be a breakthrough and reach the current world level. New aircraft, developed by the Tupolev company, will be a flying wing type aircraft, subsonic, modern, and economical. This will be a platform for the use of long-range precision weapons. It is planned that he will work with other branches of the military,” says Kornev.

The first flight of the PAK DA is planned for 2025-2026.

But these are not all the new items that will join the Russian Air Force in the future. Sivkov, in an interview with RT, spoke about the development by Russian aircraft designers of a fundamentally new aircraft.

“A new breakthrough will be the creation of the A-100 aircraft based on the Il-76-MD-90A. This is a development of the A-50 aircraft, which is now actively used by our military in Syria, but more advanced. The A-100 will have a much more powerful radio-technical complex, will be able to detect low-flying targets, and will be able to provide automatic guidance on air targets (now this all happens manually),” the expert explained.

Unmanned future

Military expert Vladimir Yazikov, in a conversation with RT, said that the future of Russian military aviation lies in sixth-generation unmanned fighters.

• Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

“Unmanned fighters will even look different. They will all be tied into one network, will aim at the target independently, easily break through any defense, and there will be no risk for the pilot. The most important thing is that they will be able to fly at the boundaries of the stratosphere and airspace. Such an aircraft will be difficult to notice, and it will already be going into outer space. Pre-unmanned fighters will be available by 2036. I believe that the future of the Russian Aerospace Forces lies in such machines,” the expert concluded.

* “Islamic State” (IS) is a terrorist group banned in Russia.

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