The Air Force of the Russian Federation: their structure and general characteristics. Aviation: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Formation of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces Russian Federation(1992–1998)

Decay process Soviet Union and the events that followed markedly weakened Military 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 remained the most prepared for basing military aviation the airfield network, which, in comparison with the USSR, has 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 a large number 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, last of former republics USSR, began 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 the prevention of a significant decrease in the level of combat capability of formations and units of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, the reduction of personnel through the revision and optimization of their organizational structure, the decommissioning of 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 was in 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 big time painstaking 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 Organization Warsaw Pact, 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 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 military development, where before 2000 it was planned to reorganize the branches of the Armed Forces, 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 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, and fulfilling tasks combat duty on air defense, as well as 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 aviation regiments, 35 units of radio engineering troops, 6 formations and reconnaissance units and 5 units electronic warfare. 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 connections and parts military air defense equipped with anti-aircraft missile systems (ZRS) S-300V and Buk complexes. In April 2007, the new-generation S-400 Triumph 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, more appropriate 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 training and use of forces and means of military aviation and duplication of functions was excluded, as in Peaceful time as well as 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 multi-role 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 aircraft type An-140-100, modified attack military transport helicopter Mi-8, multipurpose helicopter medium range 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 defense (aerospace) defense system, at present time runs development of a new generation of S-500 air defense systems, in which it is supposed 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 objects using conventional, high-precision and nuclear weapons destruction, as well as for aviation support and combat operations of troops (forces) of other branches of the Armed Forces and combat arms.

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

The Air Force includes the following types of troops:

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

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

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

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

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

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

reconnaissance aviation designed to manage aerial reconnaissance enemy, terrain and weather, can destroy enemy hidden objects.

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

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

Transport aviation designed 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, electronic warfare, radiation, chemical and biological protection, providing management and communications, meteorological and technical support, rescue of crews in distress, evacuation of the wounded and sick.

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

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

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

They issue information about the beginning of an air attack, combat information for anti-aircraft missile forces and air defense aviation, as well as information for controlling air defense formations, units and subunits.

The radio engineering troops are armed with radar stations and radar systems capable of at any time of the year and day, regardless of meteorological conditions and interference, to detect not only air, but also surface targets.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Total strength of the Air Force

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now let's move on to modernized technology. In general, by 2020, the share of new 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 in the same 70%.

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

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

Helicopters

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

The Air Force includes the following types of troops:

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

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

Attack aircraft Designed for aviation support of troops, engagement of manpower and objects mainly on the front line, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as combating enemy aircraft in the air.

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

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

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

Reconnaissance aviation is subdivided 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, air-to-air refueling, electronic warfare, radiation, chemical and biological protection, control and communications, meteorological and technical support, rescue of crews in distress, evacuation of the wounded and sick.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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