Russian air force. Air Force Day: date. Air Force of the Russian Federation. The main characteristics of the MiG‑31 BM

Decay process Soviet Union and the events that followed markedly weakened the Air Force and Troops air defense(air defense). A significant part of the aviation group (about 35%) remained on the territory of the former Soviet republics (more than 3,400 aircraft, including 2,500 combat aircraft).

Also, on their territories, the airfield network most prepared for basing military aviation remained, which, in comparison with the USSR, was almost halved in the Russian Federation (primarily in the Western strategic direction). The level of flight and combat training of Air Force pilots has sharply decreased.

In connection with the disbandment of a large number of radio engineering units, a continuous radar field over the territory of the state disappeared. was significantly weakened and general system air defense of the country.

Russia, the last of the former republics of the USSR, has begun building the Air Force and the Air Defense Forces as an integral part of its own Armed Forces (decree of the President of the Russian Federation of May 7, 1992). The priorities of this construction were to prevent a significant decrease in the level of combat capability of formations and units of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, to reduce personnel by reviewing and optimizing their organizational structure, decommissioning obsolete weapons and military equipment etc.

During this period, the combat strength of the Air Force and Air Defense Aviation was represented almost exclusively by fourth-generation aircraft (Tu-22M3, Su-24M/MR, Su-25, Su-27, MiG-29 and MiG-31). The total strength of the Air Force and Air Defense Aviation was reduced by almost three times - from 281 to 102 air regiments.

As of January 1, 1993, the Russian Air Force had combat strength: two commands (long-range and military transport aviation(VTA)), 11 aviation associations, 25 air divisions, 129 air regiments (including 66 combat and 13 military transport). The aircraft fleet was 6561 aircraft, excluding aircraft stored at reserve bases (including 2957 combat aircraft).

At the same time, measures were taken to withdraw Air Force formations, formations and units from the territories of far and near abroad countries, including the 16th Air Army (VA) from Germany, 15 VA from the Baltic countries.

Period 1992 - early 1998. became a time of great hard work governing bodies Air Force and Air Defense Forces to develop a new concept of military construction of the Russian Armed Forces, its aerospace defense with the implementation of the principle of defense sufficiency in the development of the Air Defense Forces and offensive nature in the use of the Air Force.

During these years, the Air Force had to take a direct part in the armed conflict on the territory of the Chechen Republic (1994-1996). In the future, the experience gained made it possible to more thoughtfully and with high efficiency to conduct an active phase of the counterterrorist operation in the North Caucasus in 1999-2003.

In the 1990s, in connection with the beginning of the collapse of the unified air defense field of the Soviet Union and former countries- members of the Warsaw Treaty Organization, there was an urgent need to recreate its analogue within the boundaries of the former Soviet republics. In February 1995, Commonwealth countries Independent States(CIS) signed an Agreement on the Creation of a Joint Air Defense System of the CIS Member States, designed to solve the tasks of protecting state borders in the airspace, as well as to conduct coordinated collective actions of the air defense forces to repel a possible aerospace attack on one of the countries or a coalition of states.

However, assessing the process of accelerating the physical aging of weapons and military equipment, the Defense Committee State Duma Russian Federation came to disappointing conclusions. As a result, a new concept of military organizational development was worked out, where it was planned to reorganize the branches of the Armed Forces before the year 2000, reducing their number from five to three. As part of this reorganization, two independent branches of the Armed Forces were to be united in one form: the Air Force and the Air Defense Forces.

A new kind of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

In accordance with the decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 16, 1997 No. 725 "On priority measures to reform the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and improve their structure", by January 1, 1999, the the new kind Armed Forces - Air Force. AT short time The Air Force High Command developed a regulatory and legal framework for a new branch of the Armed Forces, which made it possible to ensure the continuity of the management of Air Force formations, maintaining their combat readiness at the required level, performing air defense combat duty tasks, and conducting operational training activities.

By the time of unification into a single service of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the Air Force consisted of 9 operational formations, 21 aviation divisions, 95 air regiments, including 66 combat aviation regiments, 25 separate aviation squadrons and detachments based on 99 airfields. The total number of aircraft fleet was 5700 aircraft (including 20% ​​training) and more than 420 helicopters.

The Air Defense Forces included: an operational-strategic formation, 2 operational, 4 operational-tactical formations, 5 air defense corps, 10 air defense divisions, 63 anti-aircraft units missile troops, 25 fighter regiments, 35 units of radio engineering troops, 6 formations and intelligence units and 5 electronic warfare units. It was armed with: 20 aircraft of the A-50 radar patrol and guidance aviation complex, more than 700 air defense fighters, more than 200 anti-aircraft missile divisions and 420 radio engineering units with radar stations of various modifications.

As a result of these activities, a new organizational structure Air Force, which included two air armies: the 37th Air Army of the Supreme High Command ( strategic purpose) (VA VGK (SN) and 61st VA VGK (VTA). Instead of the air armies of front-line aviation, the Air Force and Air Defense armies were formed, operationally subordinate to the commanders of the military districts. The Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District was created in the Western strategic direction.

Further construction of the organizational and staffing structure of the Air Force was carried out in accordance with the Plan for the Construction and Development of the Armed Forces for 2001-2005 approved in January 2001 by the President of the Russian Federation.

In 2003, the Air Force was transferred to army aviation, in 2005–2006 - part of the formations and units of military air defense, equipped with anti-aircraft missile systems(ZRS) S-300V and Buk complexes. In April 2007, the new-generation S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft missile system was adopted by the Air Force, designed to destroy all modern and promising means of aerospace attack.

At the beginning of 2008, the Air Force included: an operational-strategic association (KSpN), 8 operational and 5 operational-tactical associations (air defense corps), 15 formations and 165 units. In August of the same year, parts of the Air Force took part in the Georgian-South Ossetian military conflict (2008) and in the operation to force Georgia to peace. During the operation, the Air Force carried out 605 sorties and 205 helicopter sorties, including 427 sorties and 126 helicopter sorties for combat missions.

The military conflict revealed certain shortcomings in the organization of combat training and the control system Russian aviation, as well as the need for a significant renewal of the Air Force aircraft fleet.

The Air Force in the new look of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

In 2008, a transition began to the formation of a new image of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (including the Air Force). In the course of the measures taken, the Air Force switched to a new organizational and staffing structure that is more in line with modern conditions and the realities of the times. The Air Force and Air Defense Commands were formed, subordinate to the newly created operational-strategic commands: Western (headquarters - St. Petersburg), Southern (headquarters - Rostov-on-Don), Central (headquarters - Yekaterinburg) and Eastern ( headquarters - Khabarovsk).

The Air Force High Command was assigned the tasks of planning and organizing combat training, the long-term development of the Air Force, as well as training the leadership of the control bodies. With this approach, there was a distribution of responsibility for the preparation and use of forces and means of military aviation and the duplication of functions was excluded, both in peacetime and during the period of hostilities.

In 2009–2010 A transition was made to a two-level (brigade-battalion) command and control system of the Air Force. As a result, the total number of Air Force formations was reduced from 8 to 6, all air defense formations (4 corps and 7 air defense divisions) were reorganized into 11 aerospace defense brigades. At the same time, an active renewal of the aircraft fleet is taking place. The fourth-generation aircraft are being replaced by their new modifications, as well as modern types aircraft (helicopters) with wider combat capabilities and flight performance.

Among them: Su-34 front-line bombers, Su-35 and Su-30SM multipurpose fighters, various modifications of the MiG-31 supersonic all-weather long-range fighter-interceptor, the An-70 medium-range cargo military transport aircraft of the new generation An-70, light military transport An-140-100 type aircraft, a modified Mi-8 attack military transport helicopter, a medium-range multi-purpose helicopter with Mi-38 gas turbine engines, combat helicopters Mi-28 (various modifications) and Ka-52 "Alligator".

As part of the further improvement of the air (aerospace) defense system, a new generation of S-500 air defense systems is currently being developed, in which it is planned to apply the principle of separate solution of the tasks of destroying ballistic and aerodynamic targets. The main task of the complex is the fight against military equipment ballistic missiles medium-range, and, if necessary, with intercontinental ballistic missiles in the final section of the trajectory and, within certain limits, in the middle section.

The modern Air Force is the most important integral part Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Currently, they are designed to solve the following tasks: repel aggression in the aerospace sphere and protect against air strikes command posts of the highest levels of state and military administration, administrative and political centers, industrial and economic regions, the most important objects of the economy and infrastructure of the country, groupings troops (forces); destruction of enemy troops (forces) and facilities using conventional, high-precision and nuclear weapons, as well as for air support and combat operations of troops (forces) of other branches of the Armed Forces and military branches.

The material was prepared by the Research Institute ( military history)
military academy General Staff
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

The modern Air Force of the Russian Federation is traditionally the most mobile and maneuverable branch of the Armed Forces. The equipment and other means in service with the Air Force are intended, first of all, to repel aggression in the aerospace sphere and protect the administrative and industrial and economic centers of the country, groupings of troops and important objects from enemy attacks; to ensure the actions of the Ground Forces and the Navy; strikes against enemy groupings in the sky, on land and at sea, as well as against its administrative-political and military-economic centers.

The existing Air Forces, in terms of their organizational and staffing structure, date back to 2008, when the country began to form a new look for the Russian Armed Forces. Then the Air Force and Air Defense Commands were formed, subordinate to the newly created operational-strategic commands: Western, Southern, Central and Eastern. The Air Force High Command was assigned the tasks of planning and organizing combat training, the long-term development of the Air Force, as well as training the leadership of the control bodies. In 2009-2010, a transition was made to a two-level air force command and control system, as a result of which the number of formations was reduced from 8 to 6, and air defense formations were reorganized into 11 aerospace defense brigades. Air regiments were consolidated into air bases total about 70, including 25 air bases for tactical (front-line) aviation, of which 14 are purely fighter.

In 2014, the reform of the Air Force structure continued: the air defense forces and assets were concentrated in air defense divisions, and the formation of aviation divisions and regiments began in aviation. As part of the joint strategic command"North" creates an army of the Air Force and Air Defense.

The most fundamental transformation is expected in 2015: the creation of a new type - Aerospace Forces based on the integration of forces and means of the Air Force (aviation and air defense) and the Aerospace Defense Forces (space forces, air defense and missile defense).

Simultaneously with the reorganization, an active renewal of the aircraft fleet is taking place. The planes and helicopters of previous generations were replaced by their new modifications, as well as promising machines with wider combat capabilities and flight performance. Current development work was continued and new development work was started on advanced aviation systems. Active development of unmanned aircraft began.

The modern air fleet of the Russian Air Force is second only to the US Air Force in its numbers. True, its exact quantitative composition has not been officially published, but on the basis of open sources, quite adequate calculations can be made. As for the renewal of the air fleet, according to the representative of the press service and information department of the Russian Ministry of Defense for VVSI.Klimov, the Russian Air Force in 2015 alone, in accordance with the state defense order, will receive more than 150 new aircraft and helicopters. These include the latest aircraft Su-30SM, Su-30M2, MiG-29 SMT, Su-34, Su-35S, Yak-130, Il-76MD-90A, as well as helicopters Ka-52, Mi -28 N, Mi-8 AMTSh/MTV-5-1, Mi-8 MTPR, Mi-35 M, Mi-26, Ka-226 and Ansat-U. It is also known from the words of the former Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Colonel-General A. Zelin, that as of November 2010, the total number of Air Force personnel was about 170 thousand people (including 40 thousand officers).

All aviation of the Russian Air Force as a branch of service is divided into:

• Long-range (strategic) aviation,
• Operational-tactical (front-line) aviation,
• military transport aviation,
• Army aviation.

In addition, the Air Force includes such types of troops as anti-aircraft missile troops, radio engineering troops, special troops, as well as units and institutions of the rear (all of them in this material will not be considered).

In turn, aviation by birth is divided into:

• bomber aircraft,
• assault aircraft,
• fighter aircraft,
• reconnaissance aircraft,
• transport aviation,
• special aviation.

Further, all types of aircraft in the Air Force of the Russian Federation, as well as promising machines, are considered. The first part of the article covers long-range (strategic) and operational-tactical (front-line) aviation, the second part - military transport, reconnaissance, special and army aviation.

Long-range (strategic) aviation

Long-range aviation is the means of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Russia and is designed to solve strategic, operational-strategic and operational tasks in theaters of military operations (strategic directions). Long-range aviation is also a component of the triad of strategic nuclear forces.

The main tasks performed in peacetime are deterrence (including nuclear) of potential adversaries; in the event of a war - the maximum reduction in the military-economic potential of the enemy by destroying his important military facilities and violating state and military control.

The main promising areas for the development of long-range aviation are maintaining and building up operational capabilities to fulfill the assigned tasks as part of the strategic deterrence forces and forces general purpose through the modernization of aircraft with the extension of their service life, the purchase of new machines (Tu-160 M), as well as the creation of a promising long-range aviation complex PAK-DA.

The main weapons of long-range aircraft are guided missiles, both in nuclear and conventional equipment:

• strategic cruise missiles long range X‑55 SM;
• aeroballistic hypersonic missiles X-15 C;
• operational-tactical cruise missiles X-22.

As well as free-falling bombs of various calibers, including those in nuclear weapons, one-time bomb cassettes, sea mines.

In the future, it is planned to introduce high-precision cruise missiles of the new generation X-555 and X-101 with a significantly increased range and accuracy into the armament of long-range aviation aircraft.

The basis of the modern fleet of long-range aviation of the Russian Air Force is bombers-missile carriers:

• strategic missile carriers Tu-160-16 units. Until 2020, it is possible to supply about 50 modernized Tu-160 M2 machines.
• Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers - 38 units, and about 60 more are in storage. Since 2013, these aircraft have been upgraded to the level of Tu-95 MSM in order to extend their service life.
• Tu-22M3 long-range missile bombers - about 40 units, and another 109 in reserve. Since 2012, 30 aircraft have been upgraded to the level of Tu-22 M3 M.

The long-range aviation also includes Il-78 tanker aircraft and Tu-22MR reconnaissance aircraft.

Tu‑160

Work on a new multi-mode strategic intercontinental bomber began in the USSR in 1967. Having tried a variety of layout options, the designers eventually came up with the design of an integral low-wing with variable sweep wing with four engines installed in pairs in engine nacelles under the fuselage.

In 1984, the Tu-160 was put into mass production at the Kazan Aviation Plant. At the time of the collapse of the USSR, 35 aircraft were produced (of which 8 prototypes), by 1994, KAPO transferred six more Tu-160 bombers to the Russian Air Force, which were stationed near Engels in the Saratov region. In 2009, 3 new aircraft were built and put into service, by 2015 their number is 16 units.

In 2002, the Ministry of Defense entered into an agreement with KAPO for the modernization of the Tu-160 in order to gradually repair and modernize all bombers of this type in service. According to the latest data, by 2020, 10 Tu-160 M aircraft will be put into service with the Russian Air Force. The upgraded aircraft will receive a space communications system, improved sighting systems guidance and electronics, will be able to use advanced and modernized (X-55 SM) cruise missiles and conventional bomb weapons. In view of the need to replenish the fleet of long-range aviation in April 2015, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu instructed to consider the issue of resuming the production of the Tu-160 M. In May of the same year, Supreme Commander V. V. Putin officially instructed to resume the production of improved Tu-160 M2.

Tu‑95MS

The creation of the aircraft was started by the design bureau headed by Andrey Tupolev in the distant 1950s. At the end of 1951, the developed project was approved, and then the layout built by that time was approved and approved. The construction of the first two aircraft began at the Moscow Aviation Plant No. 156, and already in the fall of 1952 prototype made its first flight.

In 1956, the aircraft, which received the official designation Tu-95, began to arrive in the long-range aviation unit. Subsequently, various modifications were developed, including carriers of anti-ship missiles.

In the late 1970s, a completely new modification of the bomber was created, which received the designation Tu-95MS. The new aircraft in 1981 was put into serial production at the Kuibyshev Aviation Plant, which continued until 1992 (about 100 aircraft were produced).

Now, as part of the Air Force of the Russian Federation, the 37th air army strategic aviation, consisting of two divisions, which includes two regiments on the Tu-95 MS-16 (Amur and Saratov regions) - a total of 38 aircraft. About 60 more units are in storage.

Due to the obsolescence of equipment, since 2013, the modernization of aircraft in service to the level of Tu-95 MSM began, the service life of which will last until 2025. They will be equipped with new electronics, a sighting and navigation system, a satellite navigation system, and it will be possible to carry new Kh-101 strategic cruise missiles.

Tu‑22M3

The Tu-22 M3 long-range supersonic bomber with variable wing geometry is designed to conduct combat operations in the operational zones of land and sea theaters of war day and night in simple and adverse weather conditions. It is capable of delivering Kh-22 cruise missile strikes against naval targets, Kh-15 supersonic aeroballistic missiles against land targets, as well as precision bombing. Named "Backfire" in the west.

In total, 268 Tu-22 M3 bombers were built at the Kazan Aviation Production Association until 1993.

Currently, about 40 Tu-22M3 units are in service, and another 109 are in reserve. By 2020, it is planned to upgrade about 30 vehicles at KAPO to the level of Tu-22 M3 M (the modification was put into service in 2014). They will install new electronics, expand the range of weapons through the introduction of the latest precision-guided munitions, and extend their service life to 40 years.

Promising developments

PAK YES

In 2008, R&D funding was opened in Russia to create a promising long-range aviation complex PAK DA. The program provides for the development of a fifth-generation long-range bomber to replace aircraft in service with the Russian Air Force. The fact that the Russian Air Force formulated the tactical and technical requirements for the PAK DA program and preparations for participation began design bureaus in the competition for the development was announced back in 2007. According to I. Shevchuk, Director General of JSC Tupolev, the contract under the PAK DA program was won by Tupolev Design Bureau. In 2011, it was reported that a preliminary design of the avionics integration complex of a promising complex had been developed, and the long-range aviation command of the Russian Air Force issued a tactical and technical assignment for the creation of a promising bomber. It was announced plans to build 100 vehicles, which they expect to be put into service before 2027.

Most likely, advanced hypersonic missiles, long-range cruise missiles of the X-101 type, short-range precision missiles and guided bombs, as well as free-fall bombs, will most likely be used as weapons. It was stated that some of the missiles had already been developed by the Tactical missile armament". It is possible that the aircraft will also be used as an air carrier for an operational-strategic reconnaissance and strike complex. It is possible that for self-defense, in addition to the electronic warfare complex, the bomber will be armed with air-to-air missiles.

Operational-tactical (front-line) aviation

Operational-tactical (front-line) aviation is designed to solve operational, operational-tactical and tactical tasks in operations (combat actions) of groupings of troops (forces) in theaters of military operations (strategic directions).

Bomber aviation, which is part of front-line aviation, is the main strike weapon of the Air Force, mainly in operational and operational-tactical depths.

Assault aviation is intended primarily for air support of troops, destruction of manpower and objects, mainly on cutting edge, in the tactical and nearest operational depth of the enemy. In addition, she can also fight with aircraft enemy in the air.

The main promising areas for the development of bombers and attack aircraft of tactical aviation are maintaining and building up capabilities in the framework of solving operational, operational-tactical and tactical tasks during combat operations in the theater by supplying new ones (Su-34) and upgrading existing ones (Su-25SM ) aircraft.

Bombers and attack aircraft of front-line aviation are armed with air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles, rockets various types, aerial bombs, including corrective bombs, cluster bombs, aircraft guns.

Fighter aviation is represented by multi-role and front-line fighters, as well as fighter-interceptors. Its purpose is to destroy enemy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the air, as well as ground and sea targets.

The task of air defense fighter aviation is to cover the most important directions and individual objects from an enemy air attack by destroying his aircraft on maximum ranges using interceptors. Air defense aviation is also armed with combat helicopters, special and transport aircraft and helicopters.

The main promising areas for the development of fighter aviation are maintaining and increasing the capabilities to fulfill the tasks set through the modernization of existing aircraft, the purchase of new aircraft (Su-30, Su-35), as well as the creation of a promising PAK-FA aviation complex, which has been tested since 2010 of the year and, possibly, a promising long-range interceptor.

The main armament of fighter aircraft is air-to-air and air-to-surface guided missiles of various ranges, as well as free-fall and corrected bombs, unguided rockets, cluster bombs, and aircraft guns. Advanced missile weapons are being developed.

Modern aircraft fleet assault and front bomber aviation includes the following aircraft types:

• attack aircraft Su-25-200 units, including Su-25UB, about 100 more are in storage. Despite the fact that these aircraft were put into service in the USSR, their combat potential, taking into account modernization, remains quite high. By 2020, it is planned to upgrade about 80 attack aircraft to the level of the Su-25SM.
• front-line bombers Su-24M - 21 units. These aircraft are Soviet-made already outdated and actively decommissioned. In 2020, it is planned to dispose of all the Su-24M in service.
• fighter-bombers Su-34-69 units. The latest multi-purpose aircraft that replace obsolete Su-24M bombers in the units. The total number of ordered Su-34s is 124 units, which will enter service in the near future.

Su-25

Su-25 is an armored subsonic attack aircraft designed for close support of ground forces over the battlefield. It is capable of destroying point and area targets on the ground day and night under any weather conditions. We can say that this is the best aircraft of its class in the world, tested in real combat operations. In the army, the Su-25 received the unofficial nickname "Rook", in the west - the designation "Frogfoot".

Serial production was carried out at aircraft factories in Tbilisi and Ulan-Ude (1320 aircraft of all modifications were produced for the entire time, including for export).

The vehicles were produced in various modifications, including the combat training Su-25UB and the carrier-based Su-25UTD for the Navy. Currently, the Russian Air Force has about 200 Su-25 aircraft of various modifications, which are in service with 6 combat and several training aviation regiments. About 100 more old cars are in storage.

In 2009, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the resumption of purchases of Su-25 attack aircraft for the Air Force. At the same time, a program was adopted to upgrade 80 vehicles to the level of the Su-25SM. They are equipped with the latest electronics, including an aiming system, multifunctional indicators, new electronic warfare equipment, suspended radar "Spear". The new Su-25UBM aircraft, which will have equipment similar to the Su-25 SM, has been adopted as a combat training aircraft.

Su-24M

The Su-24M variable-sweep wing front-line bomber is designed to deliver missile and bomb strikes in the operational and operational-tactical depths of the enemy day and night in simple and adverse weather conditions, including at low altitudes, with targeted destruction of ground and surface targets with guided and unguided munitions. In the west received the designation "Fencer"

Serial production was carried out at NAPO named after Chkalov in Novosibirsk (with the participation of KNAAPO) until 1993, about 1200 machines of various modifications were built, including for export.

At the turn of the century, due to the obsolescence of aviation equipment in Russia, a program was launched to modernize front-line bombers to the level of the Su-24 M2. In 2007, the first two Su-24 M2s were transferred to the Lipetsk Center combat use. The delivery of other vehicles to the Russian Air Force was completed in 2009.

Currently, the Russian Air Force has 21 Su-24M aircraft of several modifications, but as the newest Su-34s and Su-24s enter service, they are removed from service and disposed of (by 2015, 103 aircraft were disposed of). By 2020, they should be completely withdrawn from the Air Force.

Su-34

The Su-34 multifunctional fighter-bomber is the latest aircraft of this class in Russian Air Force and belongs to the generation of aircraft "4+". At the same time positioned as frontline bomber, as it should replace obsolete Su-24M aircraft in the troops. Designed for delivering high-precision missile and bomb strikes, including using nuclear weapons, on ground (surface) targets at any time of the day in any weather conditions. In the west it has the designation "Fullback".

By the middle of 2015, 69 Su-34 aircraft (including 8 prototypes) out of 124 ordered were delivered to combat units.

In the future, the Russian Air Force plans to supply approximately 150-200 new aircraft and by 2020 completely replace the obsolete Su-24s with them. Thus, now the Su-34 is the main strike aircraft of our Air Force, capable of using the entire range of high-precision air-to-surface weapons.

The modern aircraft fleet of fighter aviation consists of the following types of aircraft:

• MiG-29 front-line fighters of various modifications - 184 units. In addition to modifications of the MiG-29 S, MiG-29 M and MiG-29UB, latest options MiG‑29 SMT and MiG‑29UBT (28 and 6 units as of 2013). At the same time, there are no plans to upgrade old-built aircraft. On the basis of the MiG-29, a promising multi-role fighter MiG-35 was created, but the signing of a contract for its production was postponed in favor of the MiG-29 SMT.
• Su-27 front-line fighters of various modifications - 360 units, including 52 Su-27UB. Since 2010, there has been a re-equipment with new modifications of the Su-27SM and Su-27SM3, of which 82 units have been delivered.
• Su-35 S front-line fighters - 34 units. According to the contract, by 2015 it is planned to complete the delivery of a series of 48 aircraft of this type.
• Su-30 multirole fighters of various modifications - 51 units, including 16 Su-30 M2 and 32 Su-30 SM. At the same time, the delivery of the second series of Su-30SM is currently underway, until 2016 30 units should be delivered.
• fighter-interceptors MiG-31 of several modifications - 252 units. It is known that since 2014 the MiG-31BS aircraft have been upgraded to the MiG-31 BSM level, another 60 MiG-31 B aircraft are planned to be upgraded to the MiG-31 BM level by 2020.

MiG‑29

The fourth-generation light front-line fighter MiG-29 was developed back in the USSR and has been mass-produced since 1983. In fact, it was one of the best fighters of its class in the world and, having a very successful design, was repeatedly modernized and, in the form of the latest modifications in the Russian Air Force, entered the 21st century as a multi-purpose one. It was originally intended to gain air superiority at tactical depth. Known in the west as "Fulcrum".

By the time of the collapse of the USSR, factories in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod had produced about 1,400 vehicles of various options. Now the MiG-29 in different versions is in service with the armies of more than two dozen countries of near and far abroad, where he managed to take part in local wars and armed conflicts.

Now the Russian Air Force is armed with 184 MiG-29 fighters of the following modifications:

• MiG-29 S - had an increased combat load compared to the MiG-29, was equipped with new weapons;
• MiG-29M - a multi-role fighter of the "4+" generation, had an increased range and combat load, was equipped with new weapons;
• MiG-29UB - two-seat combat training version without radar;
• MiG-29 SMT is the latest upgraded version with the ability to use high-precision air-to-surface weapons, increased flight range, the latest electronics (first flight in 1997, put into service in 2004, 28 units were delivered by 2013), weapons are placed on six underwing and one ventral external suspension units, there is a built-in 30 mm gun;
• MiG-29UBT - combat training version of the MiG-29 SMT (supplied 6 units).

For the most part, all MiG-29 aircraft of the old production were physically obsolete and it was decided not to repair or modernize them, but to purchase new equipment instead - MiG-29 SMT (in 2014 a contract was signed for the supply of 16 aircraft) and MiG-29UBT, and also promising MiG-35 fighters.

MiG‑35

The new Russian multirole fighter of the 4++ generation MiG-35 is a deep modernization of the MiG-29M series aircraft developed by the MiG Design Bureau. By design, it is maximally unified with early production aircraft, but at the same time it has an increased combat load and flight range, reduced radar visibility, is equipped with a radar with an active phased antenna array, the latest electronics, an onboard electronic warfare complex, has an open architecture of avionics, the possibility of refueling in the air. The two-seat modification is designated MiG‑35 D.

The MiG-35 is designed to gain air supremacy and intercept enemy air attack means, strike precision weapons on ground (surface) targets without entering the air defense zone day and night in any weather conditions, as well as conducting aerial reconnaissance using onboard equipment.

The issue of equipping the Russian Air Force with MiG-35 aircraft remains open until the contract with the Ministry of Defense is signed.

Su-27

The Su-27 front-line fighter is a fourth-generation aircraft developed in the USSR at the Sukhoi Design Bureau in the early 1980s. It was intended to gain air superiority and was at one time one of the best fighters in its class. The latest modifications of the Su-27 continue to be in service with the Russian Air Force, in addition, as a result of the deep modernization of the Su-27, new types of 4+ generation fighters have been developed. Along with the light front-line fighter of the fourth generation, the MiG-29 was one of the best aircraft in its class in the world. According to Western classification, it has the name "Flanker".

At present, the Air Force combat units include 226 Su-27 and 52 Su-27UB fighters of the old production. Since 2010, the rearmament to the upgraded version of the Su-27SM began (first flight in 2002). Now 70 such machines have been delivered to the troops. In addition, fighters of the Su-27SM3 modification (12 units were produced) are supplied, which differ from the previous version in the AL-31 F-M1 engines (afterburner thrust 13,500 kgf), a reinforced airframe structure and additional weapon suspension points.

Su-30

The heavy two-seat multi-role fighter Su-30 of the 4+ generation was created at the Sukhoi Design Bureau on the basis of the Su-27UB combat training aircraft through a deep modernization. The main purpose is to control group combat operations of fighters in solving the tasks of gaining air supremacy, to ensure the combat operations of other types of aviation, to cover ground troops and objects, to destroy airborne assault forces, as well as to conduct aerial reconnaissance and destroy ground (surface) targets. The features of the Su-30 were the long range and duration of flights and the effective control of a group of fighters. The aircraft's western designation is "Flanker-C".

The Russian Air Force currently has 3 Su-30s, 16 Su-30 M2s (all manufactured by KNAAPO) and 32 Su-30 SMs (manufactured by the Irkut plant). The last two modifications are supplied in accordance with contracts dated 2012, when two batches of 30 Su-30SM units (until 2016) and 16 Su-30M2 units were ordered.

Su-35

The Su-35 multipurpose super-maneuverable fighter belongs to the 4++ generation and is equipped with thrust vector control engines. Developed at the Sukhoi Design Bureau, this aircraft is close in its characteristics to fifth-generation fighters. The Su-35 is designed to gain air supremacy and intercept enemy air attack weapons, strike ground (surface) targets with precision weapons without entering the air defense zone day and night in any weather.

conditions, as well as conducting aerial reconnaissance using airborne means. In the west, it has the designation "Flanker-E +".

In 2009, a contract was signed to supply the Russian Air Force with 48 of the latest production Su-35C fighters in the period 2012-2015, of which 34 units are already in service. It is planned to conclude another contract for the supply of these aircraft in 2015-2020.

MiG‑31

The MiG-31 long-range supersonic all-weather fighter-interceptor was developed in the USSR at the Mikoyan Design Bureau in the 1970s. At that time it was the first aircraft of the fourth generation. It was designed to intercept and destroy air targets at all altitudes - from the lowest to the highest, day and night, in any weather conditions, in a difficult jamming environment. In fact, the main task of the MiG-31 was to intercept cruise missiles in the entire range of altitudes and speeds, as well as low-flying satellites. The fastest combat aircraft. The modern MiG-31 BM has an airborne radar with unique characteristics not yet available to other foreign aircraft. According to Western classification, it has the designation "Foxhound".

The MiG-31 fighter-interceptors (252 units) now in service with the Russian Air Force have several modifications:

• MiG‑31 B - serial modification with aerial refueling system (adopted in 1990)
• MiG-31 BS is a variant of the basic MiG-31, upgraded to the level of the MiG-31 B, but without aerial refueling.
• The MiG-31 BM is a modernized version with the Zaslon-M radar (developed in 1998), which has a range increased to 320 km, equipped with the latest electronic systems, including satellite navigation, capable of using air-to-surface guided missiles. Until 2020, it is planned to upgrade 60 MiG-31Bs to the level of the MiG-31BM. The second stage of state testing of the aircraft was completed in 2012.
• MiG‑31 BSM is an upgraded version of the MiG‑31 BS with the Zaslon-M radar and related electronics. Modernization of combat aircraft has been underway since 2014.

Thus, the Russian Air Force will have 60 MiG-31 BM and 30-40 MiG-31 BSM aircraft in service, and approximately 150 older aircraft will be decommissioned. It is possible that in the future there will be a new interceptor, known under the code name MiG-41.

Promising developments

PAK-FA

A promising front-line aviation complex - PAK FA - includes a fifth-generation multi-role fighter developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau under the designation T-50. In terms of the totality of characteristics, it will have to surpass all foreign analogues and in the near future, after being put into service, it will become the main aircraft of the Russian Air Force front-line fighter aviation.

PAK FA is designed to gain air supremacy and intercept enemy air attack weapons in all altitude ranges, as well as strike ground (surface) targets with high-precision weapons without entering the air defense zone day and night in any weather conditions, can be used for air reconnaissance using onboard equipment. The aircraft fully meets all the requirements for fifth-generation fighters: stealth, supersonic cruising speed, high maneuverability with high g-forces, advanced electronics, multifunctionality.

According to plans, serial production of the T-50 aircraft for the Russian Air Force should begin in 2016, and by 2020 the first aviation units equipped with it will appear in Russia. It is also known that production for export is also possible. In particular, an export modification is being created jointly with India, which received the designation FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft).

PAK-DP (MiG‑41)

Some sources report that at present, the MiG Design Bureau, together with the Design Bureau of the Sokol aircraft plant (Nizhny Novgorod), are developing a long-range high-speed interceptor fighter with the code name "promising long-range interception aviation complex" - PAK DP, also known as the MiG-41. It was stated that the development was started in 2013 on the basis of the MiG-31 fighter by order of the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. Perhaps, this refers to the deep modernization of the MiG-31, the study of which was carried out earlier, but was not implemented. It was also reported that a promising interceptor is planned to be developed as part of the arms program until 2020 and put into service until 2028.

In 2014, the media reported that the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, V. Bondarev, said that now only research work is underway, and in 2017 it is planned to begin development work to create a promising long-range aircraft interception complex.

(continued in the next issue)

Summary table of the quantitative composition of aircraft
Air Force of the Russian Federation (2014–2015)*