Russian Air Force

THE CURRENT STATE OF THE RUSSIAN AIR FORCE

By Heikki Nikunen

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION

1. THROUGH WARS INTO A SUPERPOWER AIR FORCE

2. PERIOD OF TRANSITION

2.1. Security Political Transition

2.2. Economic Transition, Upd 14 Jan '99

3. CURRENT STATE OF THE RUSSIAN AIR FORCE

3.1. Doctrine Upd 11 March 2000

3.2.Organization 22 Jan 2005

3.3 Infrastructure Upd 11 March 2000

3.4. Pilot Training, Upd 6 Nov '99

3.4.1 Basic Pilot Training, Upd 27 March '99

3.4.2. Advanced Training of Fighter and Attack Pilots 22 Jan 2005

3.5. Operation Principles Upd 28 Nov 2001

3.6. Tactical Viewpoints, Upd 28 Dec 2000

3.7. Aircraft

3.7.1 Development Potential, Upd 28 Nov 2001

3.7.2. Fighters and Attack Aircraft, 22 Jan 2005

3.7.3. Bombers, 22 Jan 2005

3.7.4. Transport Aircraft 22 Jan 2005

3.7.5. Support Aircraft and Trainers 22 Jan 2005

3.8. Weapon Systems

3.8.1. Aircraft Radar Systems and Missile Homing Heads

3.8.2. Air-to-air Missiles

3.8.3. Air-to-surface Missiles and Guided Bombs

3.9. Anti-aircraft weapon systems Upd 11 March 2000

SUMMARY Upd 11 March 2000

ATTACHMENTS:

Appendix 1: MiG-29 Fulcrum

Appendix 2: Su-27 Flanker

Appendix 3: Data Concerning Russian Fighter Radars

Appendix 4: Data Concerning Russian Radar Missile Homing Heads

Appendix 5: Data Concerning Russian Air-to-Air Missiles

Appendix 6: Data Concerning Russian Air-to-Surface Missiles

SOURCES 22 Jan 2005

This study is originated by Stefan Forss (VTT Energy) from VTT , the Technical Research Centre of Finland. He has supported the work in an irreplaceable way by giving clues and written material. Researcher Risto Lautkaski, from the same institution, has delivered important and professional translations. A remarkable part of the work is based on the excellent publications of the well known Soviet/Russia specialist Benjamin Lambeth from RAND, Santa Monica. The detailed MiG-29 and Su-27 descriptions are made by the distinquished aviation specialist Easy Tartar.

The study is based on public information.

Lt Gen Heikki Nikunen has studied in the USAF Air University and is a member of the Finnish Society of Military Sciences and the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences.

Gen Nikunen's previous study "Air Defence in Northern Europe"

INTRODUCTION

Like all the other Russian defense organizations, also the Russian Air Force is going through an extensive process of change. The regional ruptures caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union together with the economic uncertainty have placed the air force commanders face to face with quite novel planning and prioritizing problems.

The air surveillance capabilities and air defense groupings have changed crucially after many former Soviet states, the Baltic Countries among others, became independent. At the same time, the whole aircraft industrial complex has fallen to pieces. As a result, Russia has lost significant parts of its aviation technical arsenal especially in the form of manufacturing capacity related to transportation aircraft. Also notable parts of especially bomber and transport aircraft units have passed into the hands of newly independent states, especially Ukraine.

Consequently, the short-term outlook of the Russian Air Force is not good. Many necessary projects will have to be either postponed or rejected due to lack of resources. At the same time lack of every day operating resources, especially flight hours, makes it difficult to maintain decent standard of training and makes recruitment and basic training of new personnel difficult. However, since the Russian Air Force inherited from the Soviet Union such vast assets, it was possible to do some rational cutbacks and thus achieve higher effectiveness, if only the objectives and priorities were set right. In this respect the situation was clearly better than in the Soviet era, since now the chances were better that also other levels of decision-making than just the Russian Air Force would understand and observe the international experiences related to use and importance of air power. The latest organizational decisions indicate, however, certain kind of traditional attitude on the headquarters level, so, it will remain to be seen if the professionals can get the necessary developments through even this time.

This research first examines the different phases of development in the Russian/Soviet Air Force until the transformation caused by the end of the cold war and collapse of the Soviet Union. After that the study will concentrate on the current state and target setting of the Russian Air Force.

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