Air Force (Air Force) and airborne troops, their composition and purpose, weapons and military equipment.

The importance of the air force in modern warfare enormous, and the conflicts of recent decades clearly confirm this. Russian Air Force by number aircraft second only to the American Air Force. Russian military aviation has a long and glorious history; until recently, the Russian Air Force was a separate type of troops; in August last year, the Russian military air force became part of the Aerospace Forces Russian Federation.

Russia is undoubtedly a great aviation power. In addition to its glorious history, our country can boast of a significant technological base, which allows us to independently produce military aircraft of any type.

Today, Russian military aviation is going through a difficult period of its development: its structure is changing, new aircraft are entering service, and a generational change is taking place. However, events last months in Syria showed that the Russian Air Force can successfully carry out its combat missions in any conditions.

History of the Russian Air Force

The history of Russian military aviation began more than a century ago. In 1904, an aerodynamic institute was created in Kuchino, and one of the creators of aerodynamics, Zhukovsky, became its director. Within its walls, scientific and theoretical work was carried out aimed at improving aviation technology.

During the same period, the Russian designer Grigorovich worked on the creation of the world's first seaplanes. The first flight schools were opened in the country.

In 1910, the Imperial Air Force was organized, which existed until 1917.

Russian aviation took active participation in the First World War, although the domestic industry of that time lagged significantly behind other countries participating in this conflict. Most of the combat aircraft flown by Russian pilots of that time were manufactured at foreign factories.

But still, domestic designers also had interesting discoveries. The first multi-engine bomber, the Ilya Muromets, was created in Russia (1915).

The Russian air force was divided into air squads, which included 6-7 aircraft. The detachments were united into air groups. The army and navy had their own aviation.

At the beginning of the war, aircraft were used for reconnaissance or adjusting artillery fire, but very quickly they began to be used for bombing the enemy. Soon fighters appeared and air battles began.

Russian pilot Nesterov made the first aerial ram, and a little earlier he performed the famous “dead loop”.

The Imperial Air Force was disbanded after the Bolsheviks came to power. Many pilots took part in civil war on different sides conflict.

In 1918 new government created its own air force, which took part in the civil war. After its completion, the country's leadership devoted great attention development of military aviation. This allowed the USSR in the 30s, after large-scale industrialization, to return to the club of the world's leading aviation powers.

New aircraft factories were built, design bureaus were created, and flight schools were opened. A whole galaxy of talented aircraft designers appeared in the country: Polyakov, Tupolev, Ilyushin, Petlyakov, Lavochnikov and others.

In the pre-war period, the armed forces received a large number of new models of aviation equipment, which were not inferior to foreign analogues: MiG-3, Yak-1, LaGG-3 fighters, TB-3 long-range bomber.

By the beginning of the war, Soviet industry had produced more than 20 thousand military aircraft of various modifications. In the summer of 1941, USSR factories produced 50 combat vehicles per day, three months later the production of equipment doubled (up to 100 vehicles).

The war for the USSR Air Force began with a series of crushing defeats - a huge number of aircraft were destroyed at border airfields and in air battles. For almost two years, German aviation had air supremacy. The Soviet pilots did not have the proper experience, their tactics were outdated, like most of the Soviet aviation equipment.

The situation began to change only in 1943, when the USSR industry mastered the production of modern combat vehicles, and the Germans had to best forces sent to defend Germany from Allied air raids.

By the end of the war, the quantitative superiority of the USSR Air Force became overwhelming. During the war, more than 27 thousand Soviet pilots died.

On July 16, 1997, by Decree of the President of Russia, the new look troops - the Air Force of the Russian Federation. Included new structure Air defense troops and air force entered. In 1998, the necessary structural changes were completed, the Main Headquarters of the Russian Air Force was formed, and a new commander-in-chief appeared.

Russian military aviation participated in all conflicts in the North Caucasus, in Georgian war 2008, in 2018, Russian aerospace forces were introduced into Syria, where they are currently located.

Around the middle of the last decade, active modernization of the Russian air force began.

Old aircraft are being modernized, units are receiving new equipment, new ones are being built and old air bases are being restored. The fifth generation fighter T-50 is being developed and is in its final stages.

The pay of military personnel has been significantly increased, today pilots have the opportunity to spend enough time in the air and hone their skills, and exercises have become regular.

In 2008, the reform of the air force began. The structure of the Air Force was divided into commands, air bases and brigades. Commands were created according to territorial principle and replaced the air defense and air force armies.

Structure of the air force of the Russian Air Force

Today, the Russian Air Force is part of the military space forces, the decree on the creation of which was published in August 2018. The leadership of the Russian Aerospace Forces is exercised by the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, and direct command is exercised by the Main Command of the Aerospace Forces. The commander-in-chief of the Russian military space forces is Colonel General Sergei Surovikin.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force is Lieutenant General Yudin, he holds the position of Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

In addition to the air force, the Aerospace Forces include space force, air defense and missile defense units.

The Russian Air Force includes long-range, military transport and army aviation. In addition, the Air Force includes anti-aircraft, missile and radio technical troops. The Russian Air Force also has its own special troops, which many perform important functions: provide reconnaissance and communications, engage in electronic warfare, rescue operations and defense against weapons mass destruction. The Air Force also includes meteorological and medical services, engineering units, support units and logistics services.

The basis of the structure of the Russian air force are brigades, air bases and commands of the Russian Air Force.

Four commands are located in St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Khabarovsk and Novosibirsk. In addition, the Russian Air Force includes a separate command that manages long-range and military transport aviation.

As mentioned above, the Russian Air Force is second only to the US Air Force in size. In 2010, the strength of the Russian air force was 148 thousand people, about 3.6 thousand different pieces of aircraft were in operation, and about 1 thousand more were in storage.

After the 2008 reform, air regiments turned into air bases; in 2010, there were 60-70 such bases.

The Russian Air Force is assigned the following tasks:

repelling enemy aggression in the air and outer space;
protection from air strikes of military and public administration, administrative and industrial centers, other important infrastructure facilities of the state;
defeating enemy troops using various types of ammunition, including nuclear;
conducting intelligence operations;
direct support for other branches and branches of the Russian Armed Forces.

Military aviation of the Russian Air Force

The Russian Air Force includes the strategic and long-range aviation, military transport and army aviation, which, in turn, is divided into fighter, attack, bomber, reconnaissance.

Strategic and long-range aviation is part of the Russian nuclear triad and is capable of carrying various types nuclear weapons.

. These machines were designed and built back in the Soviet Union. The impetus for the creation of this aircraft was the development by the Americans of the B-1 strategist. Today, the Russian Air Force has 16 Tu-160 aircraft in service. These military aircraft can be armed with cruise missiles and free-fall bombs. Whether Russian industry will be able to establish serial production of these machines is an open question.

. This is a turboprop aircraft that made its first flight during Stalin’s lifetime. This car has undergone deep modernization, it can be armed with cruise missiles and free-falling bombs with both conventional and nuclear warheads. Currently, the number of operating machines is about 30.

. This machine is called a long-range supersonic missile-carrying bomber. Tu-22M was developed in the late 60s of the last century. The aircraft has variable wing geometry. Can carry cruise missiles and nuclear bombs. The total number of combat-ready vehicles is about 50, another 100 are in storage.

The fighter aviation of the Russian Air Force is currently represented by the Su-27, MiG-29, Su-30, Su-35, MiG-31, Su-34 (fighter-bomber) aircraft.

. This machine is the result of a deep modernization of the Su-27; it can be classified as generation 4++. The fighter has increased maneuverability and is equipped with advanced electronic equipment. Commencement of operation of the Su-35 - 2014. The total number of aircraft is 48 aircraft.

. The famous attack aircraft, created back in the mid-70s of the last century. One of the best aircraft in its class in the world, the Su-25 has participated in dozens of conflicts. Today, there are about 200 Rooks in service, with another 100 in storage. This aircraft is being modernized and will be completed in 2020.

. A front-line bomber with variable wing geometry, designed to overcome enemy air defenses at low altitude and supersonic speed. The Su-24 is an obsolete aircraft; it is planned to be written off by 2020. 111 units remain in service.

. The newest fighter-bomber. There are currently 75 such aircraft in service with the Russian Air Force.

Transport aviation of the Russian Air Force is represented by several hundred different aircraft, the vast majority developed in the USSR: An-22, An-124 Ruslan, Il-86, An-26, An-72, An-140, An-148 and others models.

Training aviation includes: Yak-130, Czech aircraft L-39 Albatros and Tu-134UBL.

The Ka-50 helicopter has been discontinued from serial production. To date, about a hundred Ka-52 units and more than a hundred Mi-28 Night Hunter helicopters have been delivered to the troops.

The largest helicopters remaining in service are the Mi-24 (620 units) and Mi-8 (570 units). These are reliable, but old Soviet cars, which can be used for some time after minimal modernization.

Prospects for the Russian Air Force

Work is currently underway on the creation of several aircraft, some of them are in the final stages.

The main new product, which should soon enter service with the Russian Air Force and significantly strengthen them, is Russian complex fifth-generation front-line aviation T-50 (PAK FA). The plane has already been shown several times general public, prototypes are currently being tested. Information appeared in the media about problems with the T-50 engine, but there was no official confirmation of this. The first T-50 aircraft should enter service in 2018.

From promising projects It is also worth noting the Il-214 and Il-112 transport aircraft, which should replace the outdated Anas, as well as the new MiG-35 fighter, they plan to begin delivering it to the troops this year.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them

Air Force Day can rightfully be considered a holiday that promotes the development of military traditions in Russia and increases the importance of military service.

Facts from history

The history of the emergence of the Air Force in Russia began in 1910 thanks to the appearance in the country of the first air fleet, whose purpose was to conduct military intelligence. On August 12, 1912, an order from the Military Department was issued, according to which an aeronautical unit was created in Russia.

This air fleet existed for seven years and rose to become the best in the world. He played a fundamental role in shaping world aviation. With the advent of the revolution in 1917, the imperial air fleet ceased to exist.

In 1918, the Soviet government created its own military aviation, which took part in the civil war. After its completion, the air force was forgotten in the country until the early thirties.

With the onset of the thirties, the authorities began to pay close attention to military aviation. Aviation factories began to be built in the country, and schools were opened to train flight personnel.

The purpose of the air fleet was expanded, and military aviation began to develop rapidly.

During the Great Patriotic War, the production of military aircraft in the Soviet Union sharply increased, and new technologies began to be introduced.

Facts about the date of celebration

There is reliable information that Air Force Day was not always celebrated in Russia on August 12. At the beginning of the 20th century, during the formation of aviation, pilots celebrated their day on August 2. Then in 1924, according to Frunze’s decision, the holiday air force began to be celebrated on July 14th.

Stalin in 1933 moved the date of celebration to August 18. At the same time, Air Force Day was recognized as a public holiday. This was influenced by the successful development of the aviation industry in the country.

Since 1980, the date on which Air Force Day is celebrated has changed periodically.

In 2006, taking into account historical facts, the President of Russia signed a decree, thanks to which the air force of our country began to celebrate its day on August 12. This day, in compliance with all formalities, became the professional day of military pilots of the Russian Federation.

Great Patriotic War (role of the Air Force)

During the war, the Germans used rush war tactics, expecting a quick surrender Soviet troops. One of the main points of their plan was the destruction of airfields serving as locations for military vehicles. The Germans, thanks to information received by intelligence, were aware of their location.

Having received an order from the center, the command of certain military districts was unable to redeploy the aircraft to alternate airfields within the prescribed period. They were not properly prepared, so in the first days of the war the Nazis destroyed a large number of our aircraft. This fact allowed them to dominate the air for some time.

Soviet pilots, showing heroism, resisted German aces, flying on planes superior to ours technical specifications combat vehicles. The heroic deeds performed by the pilots instilled fear in the Nazis. With their actions, they laid the foundations of the Russian Air Force traditions, filled with courage, resilience and a sense of duty.

By the end of this bloody war, the superiority of the Air Force Soviet Union has become an indisputable fact.

Cold War period

After the victory of the Soviet Union over fascism, the Air Force troops were subjected to serious modernization. Active work was carried out on the development new technology, air combat tactics were honed. By the end of the 1980s, the military aviation of the Soviet Union became the most powerful in the world.

The USSR Air Force in those years was divided into the following types:

Frontline.
Far.
Military transport.
Auxiliary.

It also included special forces and rear services. But the economic crisis and the collapse of the country led to the fact that the Air Force began to divide the newly formed CIS republics among themselves.

At the end of the section, Russia became the only state on the territory of the former Soviet Union with long-range aviation.

The current situation of the Russian Air Force

The authority of Russian military aviation today in the conditions of any military conflict situation, cannot be underestimated. Rarely can anyone express their opinion that Russian aviation is not capable of solving combat missions under any circumstances.

This revaluation of the essence of things became possible thanks to the work of the developers of the latest combat aircraft; technical personnel servicing combat vehicles at home bases, and directly to highly qualified flight personnel.

Nowadays, the air force of the Russian Federation is actively undergoing rearmament and modernization. They carry out a huge range of work to ensure the security of our country’s borders and patrol certain areas of the planet in the interests of Russia.

Even on their holiday (August 12 - Russian Air Force Day), a large number of military pilots are at their combat posts, protecting the tranquility of their native country.

Tasks of the Russian Air Force

Nowadays, the Russian Air Force is entrusted with performing many important tasks:

Intelligence operations.
Transportation material assets and resource potential.
Landing and assistance to ground units.
Protecting the country from air strikes.
If necessary, strikes against enemy groups and military-economic territories.

The Air Force of the Russian Federation plays one of the main roles in protecting Russian territory from the threat of enemy attack. They are able to repel any blow and are a deterrent to the plans of any ill-wisher.

Holiday traditions

Every year, when Air Force Day comes, events are held at the locations of military air bases. exciting excursions, military aircraft demonstrations and other events.

In certain cities of our country, on the day when the military aviation of the Russian Federation celebrates its holiday, spectacular flight shows are held. Those present can admire the most complex tricks and appreciate high level professionalism of flying aces.

On Russian Air Force Day (the date of the holiday has remained unchanged since 2006), various films about the air force are also shown, and exciting sporting events are held. Flowers and wreaths are brought to the graves of military pilots who gave their lives for their Motherland, because the memory of the exploits they accomplished lives forever in the souls of the Russian people.

Aviation museums also open their doors on the holiday, everyone can visit them for free, and various sporting events take place.

On August 12, everyone without exception wishes the representatives of the Russian military aviation, who are the guarantors of the peace of the Russian people, all the best.

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

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

Due to the disbandment large quantity radio engineering units, the 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 USSR republics, began building the Air Force and 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 effectiveness of formations and units of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, to reduce personnel through the revision and optimization of their organizational structure, to remove obsolete weapons and military equipment from service, 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 almost threefold - 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 (MTA)), 11 aviation formations, 25 air divisions, 129 air regiments (including 66 combat and 13 military transport). The aircraft fleet amounted to 6,561 aircraft, excluding aircraft stored at reserve bases (including 2,957 combat aircraft).

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

Period 1992 – early 1998 became a time of great painstaking work governing bodies Air Force and Air Defense Forces to develop a new concept of military development 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 character in the use of the Air Force.

In the 1990s, due to the beginning of the collapse of the unified anti-aircraft 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 borders of the former Soviet republics. In February 1995, the Commonwealth countries Independent States(CIS) an Agreement was signed on the creation of a Joint Air Defense System of the CIS member states, designed to solve problems of protecting state borders in the airspace, as well as to conduct coordinated collective actions of air defense forces to repel a possible aerospace attack on one of the countries or a coalition states

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

New branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated July 16, 1997 No. 725 “On priority measures to reform the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and improve their structure,” a new branch of the Armed Forces was formed by January 1, 1999 - the Air Force. IN short terms 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 management of Air Force formations, maintaining their combat readiness at the required level, performing air defense combat duty tasks, as well as conducting operational training activities.

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 forces, 25 fighter air regiments, 35 units of radio technical troops, 6 formations and reconnaissance units and 5 electronic warfare units. It was armed with: 20 aircraft of the A-50 radar surveillance and guidance 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 the activities carried out, 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 air armies of front-line aviation, air force and air defense armies were formed, operationally subordinate to the commanders of the military districts. In the Western strategic direction, the Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District was created.

Further construction of the organizational 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, army aviation was transferred to the Air Force, and in 2005–2006. – part of connections and parts military air defense, equipped with S-300V anti-aircraft missile systems (ZRS) and Buk complexes. In April 2007, the Air Force adopted an anti-aircraft weapon missile system new generation S-400 "Triumph", designed to destroy all modern and promising aerospace attack weapons.

At the beginning of 2008, the Air Force included: an operational-strategic formation (KSpN), 8 operational and 5 operational-tactical formations (air defense corps), 15 formations and 165 units. In August of the same year, units 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 air sorties and 205 helicopter sorties, including 427 air sorties and 126 helicopter sorties to carry out 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 to significantly update the Air Force aircraft fleet.

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

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 the training of command and control personnel. With this approach, responsibility for the preparation and use of military aviation forces and means was distributed and duplication of functions was excluded, as in peacetime, and for the period of hostilities.

In 2009–2010 a transition was made to a two-level (brigade-battalion) control system Air Force. As a result total quantity Air Force formations were 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, active renewal of the aircraft fleet is taking place. Fourth generation aircraft are being replaced by their new modifications, as well as modern types aircraft (helicopters) having wider combat capabilities and flight performance.

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

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

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

The process of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the events that followed it significantly weakened the Air Force and Air Defense Forces (ADF). 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 airfield network for basing military aviation, which, in comparison with the USSR
decreased by almost half in the Russian Federation (primarily in the Western strategic direction). The level of flight and combat training of Air Force pilots has sharply decreased.

Due to the disbandment of a large number of radio engineering units, a continuous radar field over the territory of the state disappeared. The country's overall air defense system was also significantly weakened.
Russia, the last of the former USSR republics, began building the Air Force and 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 effectiveness of formations and units of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces, to reduce personnel through the revision and optimization of their organizational structure, to remove obsolete weapons and military equipment from service, 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 almost threefold - from 281 to 102 air regiments.
As of January 1, 1993, the Russian Air Force had in combat composition: two commands (long-range and military transport aviation (MTA)), 11 aviation associations, 25 air divisions, 129 air regiments (including 66 combat and 13 military transport ). The aircraft fleet amounted to 6,561 aircraft, excluding aircraft stored at reserve bases (including 2,957 combat aircraft).
At the same time, measures were taken to withdraw formations, formations and air force units from the territories of countries far and near abroad, including the 16th Air Army (AA) from the territory of Germany, 15 AA from the Baltic countries.
Period 1992 – early 1998 became a time of great painstaking work by the governing bodies of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces to develop a new concept of military development of the Armed Forces of Russia, its aerospace defense with the implementation of the principle of defense sufficiency in the development of the Air Defense Forces and offensive character 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). Subsequently, the experience gained made it possible to more thoughtfully and with high efficiency carry out the active phase of the counter-terrorist 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 the former member countries of the Warsaw Pact, an urgent need arose to recreate its analogue within the borders of the former union republics. In February 1995, the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) signed an Agreement on the creation of a Joint Air Defense System of the CIS member states, designed to solve the problems of protecting state borders in the airspace, as well as to conduct coordinated collective actions of air defense forces to repel possible air attacks. -a space 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 of the State Duma of the Russian Federation came to disappointing conclusions. As a result, a new concept of military development was developed, where it was planned, even before 2000, 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.

New branch of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation

In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated July 16, 1997 No. 725 “On priority measures to reform the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and improve their structure,” a new branch of the Armed Forces was formed by January 1, 1999 - the Air Force. In a 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 management of Air Force formations, maintaining their combat readiness at the required level, performing combat duty missions in air defense, as well as conducting operational training activities.

By the time the Russian Armed Forces were united into a single branch, 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 at 99 airfields. The total aircraft fleet was 5,700 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 units of anti-aircraft missile forces, 25 fighter air regiments, 35 units of radio-technical troops, 6 formations and reconnaissance units and 5 electronic warfare units. It was armed with: 20 aircraft of the A-50 radar surveillance and guidance 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 the measures taken, a new organizational structure of the Air Force was created, which included two air armies: the 37th Air Army of the Supreme High Command (strategic purpose) (VA VGK (SN) and the 61st VA VGK (VTA). Instead of front-line air armies aviation, 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 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, army aviation was transferred to the Air Force, and in 2005–2006. - part of military air defense formations and units equipped with S-300V anti-aircraft missile systems (ZRS) and Buk complexes. In April 2007, the Air Force adopted the new generation S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system, designed to defeat all modern and promising aerospace attack weapons.

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

In 2008, the transition to the formation of a new look for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (including the Air Force) began. In the course of the activities carried out, the Air Force switched to a new organizational and staffing structure, more in line with modern conditions and realities of the time. 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 the training of command and control personnel. With this approach, responsibility for the preparation and use of military aviation forces and assets was distributed and duplication of functions was excluded, both in peacetime and during combat operations.
In 2009–2010 a transition was made to a two-level (brigade-battalion) system of command and control 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, active renewal of the aircraft fleet is taking place. Fourth generation aircraft are being replaced by their new modifications, as well as modern types of aircraft (helicopters) with wider combat capabilities and flight performance characteristics.
These include: Su-34 front-line bombers, Su-35 and Su-30SM multirole fighters, various modifications of the long-range supersonic all-weather interceptor fighter MiG-31, a new generation medium-range military transport aircraft An-70, light military transport an An-140-100 type aircraft, a modified Mi-8 attack military transport helicopter, a medium-range multi-purpose helicopter with gas turbine engines Mi-38, Mi-28 combat helicopters (various modifications) and Ka-52 Alligator.

As part of the further improvement of the air defense (aerospace) defense system, the development of a new generation of S-500 air defense systems is currently underway, in which it is planned to apply the principle of separately solving the problems of destroying ballistic and aerodynamic targets. The main task of the complex is to combat the combat equipment of medium-range ballistic missiles, and, if necessary, intercontinental ballistic missiles in the final part of the trajectory and, within certain limits, in the middle part.
The modern Air Force is the most important component of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Currently, they are designed to solve the following tasks: repelling aggression in the aerospace sphere and protecting command posts of the highest levels of state and military administration, administrative and political centers, industrial and economic regions, the most important economic and infrastructure facilities of the country, groups from air strikes troops (forces); destruction of enemy troops (forces) and objects using conventional, high-precision and nuclear weapons, as well as for air support and support of combat operations of troops (forces) of other branches of the Armed Forces and branches of the armed forces.

Air Force (AF) - view Armed Forces, designed to protect higher state and military authorities, strategic nuclear forces, troop groups, important administrative and industrial centers and regions of the country from reconnaissance and air strikes, to gain air superiority, fire and nuclear destruction enemy from the air, increasing mobility and supporting the actions of formations different types Armed Forces, conducting comprehensive reconnaissance and performing special tasks.

The Russian Air Force consists of associations, formations and military units and include types of aviation: long-range, military transport; front-line (it includes bomber, attack, fighter, reconnaissance aircraft), army, as well as military air defense forces: anti-aircraft missile forces, radio engineering troops.

Long-range aviation- the main strike force of the Air Force, capable of effectively hitting important targets of aviation groups and carrier ships cruise missiles sea-based (SLCM), energy facilities and facilities of higher military and government administration, nodes of railway, road and sea communications.

Military transport aviation- the main means of landing troops and military equipment in the interests of operations in continental and ocean theaters of war, it is the most mobile means of delivery to specified areas material resources, military equipment, food, units and units.

Front-line bomber and attack aircraft designed primarily for air support Ground Forces in all types of military operations.

Frontline reconnaissance aircraft designed to conduct aerial reconnaissance in the interests of all types and branches of troops.

Frontline fighter aviation designed to destroy enemy air attack weapons when solving problems of covering groups, economic regions, administrative and political centers, military and other objects.

Army aviation designed for fire support of the Ground Forces. It is also entrusted with combat and logistics support tasks. During the battle, army aviation strikes at enemy troops, destroys his airborne assault forces, raiding, forward and outflanking detachments, provides landing and air support for its landing forces, fights enemy helicopters, destroys its nuclear missiles, tanks and other armored vehicles. .

Anti-aircraft missile forces designed to cover troops and facilities from enemy air attacks.

Radio technical troops designed to detect enemy air attack weapons in the air, identify them, accompany them, and notify command, troops and agencies about them civil defense, to monitor the flights of its aircraft.

Armament and military equipment of the Air Force

Strategic supersonic bomber with variable wing geometry Tu-160- designed to destroy the most important targets with nuclear and conventional weapons in remote military-geographical areas and deep behind the continental theaters of military operations.

Strategic missile carrier Tu-95MS- designed to solve strike missions to hit the most important targets in remote military-geographical areas and in the deep rear of continental theaters of military operations.

Heavy military transport aircraft An-22 (“Antey”)- designed for long-distance transportation of heavy and large-sized military equipment and troops, as well as for parachute and landing methods.

Heavy long-range military transport aircraft An-124 (“Ruslan”)- intended for the delivery of troops with standard military equipment and weapons from the deep rear of the country to theaters of military operations (TVDs), transportation of troops between theaters of operations and inside rear zones, reinforcement of airborne assault forces with heavy military equipment, delivery of cargo to naval forces in ocean theaters of operations, transportation of heavy and large-sized national economic cargo.

Front-line bomber with variable wing geometry Su-24M- Designed to destroy ground and surface targets in any weather conditions, day and night, in the tactical and immediate operational depths of enemy territory.

Su-25 attack aircraft- designed to destroy small-sized moving and stationary ground objects in conditions of visual visibility day and night, as well as low-speed air targets at the forefront in tactical and immediate operational depth.

Conclusions

The Air Force consists of long-range and military transport aviation, front-line bomber and attack aviation, front-line reconnaissance aviation, front-line fighter aviation, army aviation, anti-aircraft missile and radio technical troops.
The air force is designed to carry out air strikes against enemy groups, their rear and transport.
The Air Force is leading aerial reconnaissance and organize air transportation.
Military transport aviation of the Air Force is capable of landing and airborne troops, transporting troops and military equipment over long distances.

Questions

What types of aviation are included in the Air Force?
What types of anti-aircraft troops are part of the Air Force?
What are the main aircraft in service with long-range aviation?
In what type of front-line aviation did the legendary heroes of the Great Patriotic War serve? Patriotic War Alexander Pokryshkin and Ivan Kozhedub?

Quests

Prepare short message about the purpose of anti-aircraft troops and their weapons and military equipment.
Prepare a report about the heroic exploits and records of the famous Russian pilot of the First World War, Pyotr Nesterov.
Using historical literature, write an essay on the topic “Chief Marshal of Aviation A. A. Novikov - Commander of the Air Force during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.”
Using special materials and the Internet, prepare a report about one of the modern military pilots.