| Types of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation | Aerospace Forces (VKS). Air Force

Armed forces Russian Federation

Aerospace Forces (VKS)

Air Force

From the history of creation

Aviation took its first steps without a sufficient scientific base, only thanks to enthusiasts. However, in the late XIX - early XX century. theoretical and experimental researches in this area appeared. The leading role in the development of aviation belongs to the Russian scientists N. E. Zhukovsky and S. A. Chaplygin. The first successful flight of an aircraft was carried out on December 17, 1903 by American mechanics brothers W. and O. Wright.

Subsequently, various types of aircraft were created in Russia and some other countries. Their speed then reached 90-120 km / h. The use of aviation during the First World War determined the importance of the aircraft as a new weapon, caused the division of aviation into fighter, bomber and reconnaissance.

In the belligerent countries during the war years, the fleet of aircraft has expanded, and their characteristics have improved. The speed of the fighters reached 200-220 km / h, and the ceiling increased from 2 to 7 km. Since the mid 20s. 20th century duralumin began to be widely used in aircraft construction. In the 30s. in the design of aircraft, they switched from a biplane to a monoplane, which made it possible to increase the speed of fighters to 560-580 km / h.

A powerful impetus in the development of aviation was the Second World War. After it, jet aviation and helicopter construction began to develop rapidly. The Air Force has supersonic aircraft. In the 80s. much attention was paid to the creation of short takeoff and landing aircraft, large payload, and the improvement of helicopters. Currently, some countries are working on the creation and improvement of orbital and aerospace aircraft.

Organizational structure of the Air Force

• Air Force Command
• Aviation (types of aviation - bomber, assault, fighter, air defense, reconnaissance, transport and special);
• Anti-aircraft missile troops
• Radio engineering troops
• Special Troops
• units and institutions of the rear

Air Force- the most mobile and maneuverable type of the Armed Forces, designed to protect the organs of the highest state and military administration, strategic nuclear forces, groupings of troops, important administrative-industrial centers and regions of the country from reconnaissance and air strikes, strikes against enemy air, land and sea groupings, its administrative-political, industrial-economic centers in order to disrupt state and military administration, disrupt the rear and transport, as well as maintaining aerial reconnaissance and air transportation. They can perform these tasks under any weather conditions, at any time of the day and year.

The main tasks of the Air Force in modern conditions are:
• opening the beginning of an attack by an air enemy;
• notification of the main headquarters of the Armed Forces, headquarters of military districts, fleets, civil defense agencies about the beginning of an enemy air attack;
• gaining and maintaining air supremacy;
• covering troops and rear facilities from aerial reconnaissance, air and space strikes;
• air support ground forces and the forces of the Navy;
• destruction of objects of the military-economic potential of the enemy;
• military and government controlled enemy;
• the destruction of nuclear missile, anti-aircraft and aviation groups of the enemy and his reserves, as well as air and sea landings;
• defeat of enemy ship groupings in the sea, ocean, on naval bases, in ports and basing points;
• dropping military equipment and landing troops;
• transportation by air of troops and military equipment;
• conducting strategic, operational and tactical air reconnaissance;
• control over the use of airspace in the border zone.

The Air Force includes the following types of troops (Fig. 1):
• aviation (types of aviation - bomber, assault, fighter, air defense, reconnaissance, transport and special);
• anti-aircraft missile troops;
• radio engineering troops;
• special troops;
• units and institutions of the rear.

Aircraft units are armed with aircraft, seaplanes and helicopters. The basis of the combat power of the Air Force is supersonic all-weather aircraft equipped with a variety of bomber, missile and small arms cannon armament.

The anti-aircraft missile and radio engineering troops are armed with various anti-aircraft missile systems, short-range air defense systems, radar stations and other means of armed struggle.

In peacetime, the Air Force performs the tasks of protecting the state border of Russia in the airspace, notifying about the flights of foreign reconnaissance vehicles in the border zone.

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 communication 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, destruction of manpower and objects mainly at the forefront, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as orders to combat 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.

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 conduct aerial reconnaissance of the 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, radio and radar stations with high resolution, heat direction finders, sound recording and television equipment, and magnetometers.
Reconnaissance aviation is subdivided into tactical, operational and strategic reconnaissance aviation.

Transport aviation designed to transport 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, maintaining 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 and are 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, which have great firepower and high accuracy in destroying enemy air attack weapons.

Radio engineering troops- the main source of information about the air enemy and are intended to conduct it radar reconnaissance, control over the flights of their aircraft and compliance by aircraft of all departments with the rules for the use of airspace.
They issue information about the beginning of an air attack, combat information for anti-aircraft missile troops and air defense aviation, as well as information for managing formations, units and subunits of air defense.
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 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.

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

Russia's military-industrial complex is one of the most modern in the world, so Russia's military aviation is also one of the most modern on the planet.

The Russian military-industrial complex is capable of producing almost any type of modern military aircraft, including fifth-generation fighters.

Russian military aviation consists of:

• Bombers of Russia
• Russian fighters
• Stormtroopers of Russia
• AWACS aircraft of Russia
• Flying tankers (refuelers) of Russia
• Military transport aircraft of Russia
• Russian military transport helicopters
• Russian attack helicopters

The main manufacturers of military aviation technology in Russia are the companies of PJSC "Company" Sukhoi ", JSC" RSK "MiG", Moscow Helicopter Plant named after M. L. Mil, JSC "Kamov" and others.

You can see photos and descriptions of the products of some companies at the links:

Let's look at each class of ships military aviation with descriptions and photographs.

Bombers of Russia

What is a bomber, Wikipedia will explain to us very accurately: A bomber is a military aircraft designed to destroy ground, underground, surface, underwater objects by means of bombing and / or missile weapons. .

Russian long-range bombers

Long-range bombers in Russia are developed and produced by the Tupolev Design Bureau.

Long-range bomber Tu-160

The Tu-160, unofficially called the White Swan, is the fastest and heaviest long-range bomber in the world. Tu-160 "White Swan" is capable of developing supersonic speed, not every fighter is able to keep up with him.

Long-range bomber Tu-95

Tu-95 is a veteran of Russian long-range aviation. Developed back in 1955, having gone through many upgrades, the Tu-95 is still Russia's main long-range bomber.

Long-range bomber Tu-22M

Tu-22M is another long-range bomber of the Russian Aerospace Forces. It has variable sweep wings, like the Tu-160, but its dimensions are smaller.

Front-line bombers of Russia

Front-line bombers in Russia are developed and produced by PJSC Sukhoi Company.

Front-line bomber Su-34

The Su-34 is a 4++ generation combat aircraft, a fighter-bomber, although it would be more accurate to call it a front-line bomber.

Front-line bomber Su-24

Su-24 is a front-line bomber, the development of which began in the USSR in the early 60s of the last century. Currently, he is being replaced by the Su-34.

Russian fighters

Fighters in Russia are developed and manufactured by two companies: PJSC Sukhoi Company and JSC RAC MiG.

Su Fighters

PJSC "Company" Sukhoi "delivers to the troops such modern combat vehicles, as the fifth generation fighter Su-50 (PAK FA), Su-35, front-line bomber Su-34, carrier-based fighter Su-33, Su-30, heavy fighter Su-27, Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-24M3 front-line bomber.

Fighter of the fifth generation PAK FA (T-50)

PAK FA (T-50 or Su-50) is a fifth-generation fighter developed by Sukhoi Company PJSC for the Russian Aerospace Forces since 2002. As of the end of 2016, tests are being completed and the aircraft is being prepared for transfer to regular units.

Photo by PAK FA (T-50).

Su-35 is a 4++ generation fighter.

Photo Su-35.

Su-33 carrier-based fighter

Su-33 is a 4++ generation carrier-based fighter. Several of these aircraft are in service with the aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov.

Fighter Su-27

Su-27 is the main combat fighter of the Russian Aerospace Forces. Based on it, the Su-34, Su-35, Su-33 and several other fighters were developed.

Su-27 in flight

MiG fighters

JSC "RSK" MiG "" today supplies the troops with the MiG-31 fighter-interceptor and the MiG-29 fighter.

Fighter-interceptor MiG-31

The MiG-31 is a fighter-interceptor designed to perform tasks at any time of the day and in any weather. The MiG-31 is a very fast aircraft.

Fighter MiG-29

MiG-29 - is one of the main combat fighters of the Russian Aerospace Forces. There is a deck version - MiG-29K.

Stormtroopers

The only attack aircraft in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces is the Su-25 attack aircraft.

Attack aircraft Su-25

Su-25 - armored subsonic attack aircraft. The machine made its first flight in 1975 since then, having undergone many upgrades, it has been reliably fulfilling its tasks.

Russian military helicopters

Helicopters for the army are produced by the Moscow Helicopter Plant named after M.L. Mil and OJSC Kamov.

Kamov helicopters

JSC "Kamov" specializes in the production of coaxial helicopters.

Helicopter Ka-52

The Ka-52 "Alligator" is a two-seat helicopter capable of performing both attack and reconnaissance functions.

Deck helicopter Ka-31

The Ka-31 is a carrier-based helicopter equipped with a long-range radio detection and guidance system, which is in service with the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier.

Deck helicopter Ka-27

Ka-27 is a multi-purpose carrier-based helicopter. The main modifications are anti-submarine and rescue.

Photo Ka-27PL Russian Navy

Mil helicopters

Mi helicopters are being developed by the Moscow Mil Helicopter Plant.

Mi-28 helicopter

Mi-28 - attack helicopter used by the Russian army of Soviet design.

Mi-24 helicopter

Mi-24 is a world-famous attack helicopter, created in the 1970s in the USSR.

Mi-26 helicopter

The Mi-24 is a heavy transport helicopter, also developed back in Soviet times. On this moment is the largest helicopter in the world.

Designed to protect the centers, regions of the country (administrative, industrial and economic), groupings of troops and important objects from enemy strikes from air and space, ensuring the actions of the Ground Forces and delivering strikes against the enemy’s aviation, land and sea groupings, its administrative-political and military and economic centers.

The main tasks of the Air Force in modern conditions are:

• opening the beginning of an attack by an air enemy;
• notification of the main headquarters of the Armed Forces, headquarters of military districts, fleets, civil defense agencies about the beginning of an enemy air attack;
• gaining and maintaining air supremacy;
• covering troops and rear facilities from aerial reconnaissance, air and space strikes;
• air support for the Ground Forces and the Navy;
• destruction of objects of the military-economic potential of the enemy;
• violation of the military and state administration of the enemy;
• the destruction of nuclear missile, anti-aircraft and aviation groups of the enemy and his reserves, as well as air and sea landings;
• defeating enemy ship groupings at sea, in the ocean, at naval bases, in ports and bases;
• dropping military equipment and landing troops;
• transportation by air of troops and military equipment;
• conducting strategic, operational and tactical air reconnaissance;
• control over the use of airspace in the border zone.

In peacetime, the Air Force performs the tasks of protecting the state border of Russia in the airspace, notifying about the flights of foreign reconnaissance vehicles in the border zone.

The Air Force includes air armies Supreme High Command strategic purpose and the Supreme High Command military transport aviation; Moscow Air Force and Air Defense District; armies of the Air Force and Air Defense: separate corps of the Air Force and Air Defense.

The Air Force includes the following types of troops (Fig. 1):

• aviation (types of aviation - bomber, assault, fighter, air defense, reconnaissance, transport and special);
• anti-aircraft missile troops;
• radio engineering troops;
• special troops;
• 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 communication 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, destruction of manpower and objects mainly at the forefront, in the tactical and immediate operational depth of the enemy, as well as orders to combat enemy aircraft in the air.

Rice. 1. Structure Air force

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 conduct aerial reconnaissance of the 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, radio and radar stations with high resolution, heat direction finders, sound recording and television equipment, and magnetometers.

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

Transport aviation designed to transport 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 of aircraft in the air, 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.

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.

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 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.

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

The Air Force is armed with Tu-160 (Fig. 2), Tu-22MZ, Tu-95MS, Su-24, Su-34, MiG-29, MiG-27, MiG-31 aircraft of various modifications (Fig. 3), Su -25, Su-27, Su-39 (Fig. 4), MiG-25R, Su-24MP, A-50 (Fig. 5), An-12, An-22, An-26, An-124, Il -76, IL-78; helicopters Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-17, Mi-26, Ka-31, Ka-52 (Fig. 6), Ka-62; anti-aircraft missile systems S-200, S-300, S-300PM (Fig. 7), S-400 "Triumph", radar stations and complexes "Opponent-G", "Nebo-U", "Gamma-DE" , "Gamma-C1", "Casta-2".

Rice. 2. Strategic supersonic bomber Tu-160: wingspan - 35.6 / 55.7 m; length - 54.1 m; height - 13.1 m; maximum takeoff weight - 275 tons; maximum combat load - 45 tons; cruising speed- 960 km / h; range - 7300 km; ceiling - 18000 m; weapons - missiles, bombs (including nuclear); crew - 4 people

Rice. 3. Multirole fighter MiG-31F/FZ: wingspan - 13.46 m; length - 22.67 m; height - 6.15 m; maximum takeoff weight - 50,000 kg; cruising speed - 2450 km / h; range - 3000 km; combat radius of action - 650 km; ceiling - 20,000 m; armament - 23 mm six-barreled gun(260 rounds, rate of fire - 8000 rounds / min); combat load - 9000 kg (UR, bombs); crew - 2 people

Rice. 4. Attack aircraft Su-39: wingspan - 14.52 m; length - 15.33 m; height - 5.2 m; maximum speed near the ground - 2450 km / h; range - 1850 km; ceiling - 18,000 m; armament - 30 mm cannon; combat load - 4500 kg (ATGM with ATGM. RCC, NUR, U R. bombs - conventional, induced, cluster, nuclear)

Rice. 5. A-50 long-range radar detection and control aircraft: wingspan - 50.5 m; length - 46.59 m; height - 14.8 m; normal takeoff weight - 190,000 kg; maximum cruising speed - 800 km / h; range - 7500 km; ceiling - 12000 m; target detection range: air - 240 km, surface - 380 km; crew - 5 people + 10 people tactical calculation

Rice. 6. Combat attack helicopter Ka-52 "Alligator": rotor diameter - 14.50 m; length with rotating screws - 15.90 m; maximum weight - 10,400 kg; ceiling - 5500 m; range - 520 km; armament - 30-mm cannon with 500 rounds of ammunition; combat load - 2000 kg on 4 hardpoints (ATGM, unified containers with machine-gun and cannon weapons, NUR, UR); crew - 2 people

Rice. 7. Anti-aircraft missile system S-300-PM: hit targets - aircraft, winged and tactical missiles all types; affected area - range 5-150 km, height 0.025-28 km; the number of simultaneously hit targets - up to 6; the number of simultaneously aimed missiles at the target - 12; readiness for combat work from the march - 5 minutes

The Russian Federation is a mighty power; this is no secret to anyone. Therefore, many are interested in how many aircraft are in service with Russia and how mobile and modern military equipment is? According to analytical studies, modern air force RF really have a huge amount of such equipment. The world-famous publication Flight International proved this fact by publishing in its publication a rating of countries that have the most powerful air weapons.

"Swifts"

1. The leader in this ranking is America. The US Army has about 26% of the military air assets that have been created in the world. According to data published in the publication, the US Army has about 13,717 military aircraft, of which about 586 are military tankers.
2. The second place of honor was taken by the army of the Russian Federation. How many military aircraft does Russia have according to Flight International? According to data published by the publication, the Russian army currently has 3547 aircraft that can be used for military purposes. If translated into percentages, this will indicate that about 7% of all military courts that exist in the world belong to the Russian Federation. This year, the country's army should be replenished with new Su-34 bombers, which showed themselves well during the hostilities that unfolded in Syria. Analysts say that by the end of the year the number of vehicles of this type will reach 123 units, which will greatly increase the power Russian army.
3. In third place in the ranking is the Chinese Air Force.

• about 1,500 air assets;
• approximately 800 helicopters;
• about 120 Harbin Z attack rotorcraft.

In total, according to the publication, there are 2942 units in the Chinese army. aircraft technology, that is, 6% of all military aircraft in the world. After reviewing the published data, Russian experts noted that some of the information is indeed true, however, not all facts can be called reliable. Therefore, you should not try to find the answer to the question - how many aircraft does Russia have, using only this source. Experts noted that the publication was not fully able to analyze the strategically important aerial equipment, and if you make a comparison between combat aircraft and transport-combat vessels belonging to the army of the Russian Federation and the United States, you will notice that the American Air Force is not so superior to the Russian air fleet, as Flight International experts say.

The composition of the air fleet of the Russian Federation

So how many planes does Russia really have in service? It is impossible to answer this question unequivocally, because the number military equipment is not officially published anywhere, this information is kept in the strictest confidence. But, as you know, even the strictest secret can be revealed, even if only partially. So, according to the information that was published by a reliable source, the Russian air fleet is indeed inferior, although not by much, american army. The source indicates that in the arsenal of the Russian Air Force there are about 3,600 aircraft, which are operated by the army and about a thousand are in storage. The fleet of the Russian Federation includes:

• long-range military equipment;
• military transport aircraft;
• military aviation;
• anti-aircraft, radio engineering and missile troops;
• troops for communications and intelligence.

In addition to the above divisions, air force includes troops participating in rescue operations, rear services and engineering units.

The military fleet of aircraft is constantly replenished with aircraft; at present, the Russian army has the following aircraft in its arsenal:

• Su-30 M2 and Su-30 SM;
• Su-24 and Su-35;
• MiG-29 SMT;
• Il-76 Md-90 A;
• Yak-130.

In addition, the army also owns military helicopters:

• Mi-8 AMTSh/MTV-5-1;
• Ka-52;
• Mi-8 MTPR and MI-35 M;
• Mi-26 and Ka-226.

In the army of the Russian Federation he serves about 170000 Human. 40000 of them are officers.

Victory Parade on Red Square

What types of structures operate in the army?

main structures Russian fleet are:

• brigades;
• bases on which air force equipment is located;
• command staff army;
• a separate command staff that controls the activities of long-range aviation;
• commanders in charge of the air transport troops.

Currently, there are 4 commands in the Russian navy, they are located;

• in the Novosibirsk region;
• in the Khabarovsk district;
• in Rostov-on-Don;
• in St. Petersburg.

Relatively recently, the officer corps carried out several reforms. After their completion, the previously called regiments were renamed into air bases. Currently, there are air bases in Russia about 70.

Tasks of the Russian Air Force

The Air Force of the Russian Federation must perform the following tasks:

1. Repel an enemy attack both in the sky and in outer space;
2. Act as a defender against an air enemy for the following objects: military and government; administrative and industrial; for other objects that are valuable to the country.
3. To repel an enemy attack, the Russian navy can use any munitions, including nuclear ones.
4. Vessels, if necessary, must conduct reconnaissance from the sky.
5. Air equipment, during military operations, should provide support from the sky for other branches of the armed forces that are in the army of the Russian Federation.

The Russian military fleet is constantly replenished with new aircraft, and old aircraft are certainly updated. As it became known, the Russian Air Force began to develop a military fighter of the 5th generation together with the navies of the United States, India and China. Apparently soon Russian base will be replenished with a completely new flying technology of the 5th generation.

In contact with

It is well known all over the world that the Russian army is one of the most powerful on our planet. And it is considered as such by right. The Air Force is part of the RF Armed Forces and is one of the key units of our army. Therefore, it is necessary to tell about the Air Force in more detail.

A bit of history

History in the modern sense begins in 1998. It was then that the Air Force, which we know today, was formed. And they were formed as a result of the merger of the so-called troops and the Air Force. True, and now they as such no longer exist. Since the past, 2015, there has been an Aerospace Forces - Aerospace Forces. By connecting the divisions of space and air force, it was possible to rally the potential and resources, as well as to concentrate the command in one hand - due to which the effectiveness of the forces also increased. In any case, this is exactly how the need to form a VKS was justified.

These troops perform many tasks. They repel aggression in the air and space spheres, protect the earth, people, country and important objects from attacks coming from the same place, and provide air support for the combat operations of other military units of Russia.

Structure

The Russian Federation (after all, many are more accustomed to calling them in the old way than the VKS) include many divisions. This is aviation, as well as radio engineering and anti-aircraft in the first place. These are the arms of the Air Force. The structure also includes special troops. These include reconnaissance, as well as communications of automated control systems and radio engineering support. Without this, the Russian Air Force cannot exist.

TO special troops also includes meteorological, topogeodesic, engineering, RKhBZ, aeronautical, and also engineering. But this is not yet full list. It is also complemented by security, search and rescue, and even meteorological. But, in addition to the above, there are divisions the main task which consists in the protection of military command and control.

Other features of the structure

It should be noted that the structure, which distinguishes the air force of the Russian Federation, also has subdivisions. The first is long-range aviation (YES). The second is military transport (VTA). The third is operational tactical (OTA) and, finally, the fourth is army (AA). But that's not all. Subdivisions may include special, transport, reconnaissance, fighter aircraft, as well as ground attack and bomber aircraft. And each has its own tasks, which they are obliged to carry out by the Air Force.

The composition still has a certain basis on which the whole structure rests. Naturally, these are air bases and brigades belonging to the Aerospace Defense Forces.

Situation in the 21st century

Every person who is at least a little versed in this topic knows perfectly well that in the 90s the air force of the Russian Federation was actively degraded. And all due to the fact that the number of personnel of the troops and the level of their training was very small. Plus, the technique was not particularly new, and there were not enough airfields. In addition, the structure was not funded, and therefore there were practically no flights. But in the 2000s, the situation began to improve. To be more precise, everything began to progress in 2009. It was then that fruitful and capital work began on the repair and modernization of the entire fleet of the Russian Air Force.

Perhaps the impetus for this was the statement of the commander-in-chief of the troops - A. N. Zelin. In 2008, he said that the aerospace defense of our state was in a catastrophic state. Therefore, the purchase of equipment and the improvement of the entire system as a whole began.

Symbolism

The flag of the Air Force is very bright and conspicuous. This cloth blue color, in the center of which there is an image of two silvery propellers. They seem to intersect with each other. Together with them is shown anti-aircraft gun. And the background is made up of silver wings. In general, quite original and symbolic. Even from the center of the cloth, golden rays seem to diverge (their number is 14 pieces). By the way, their location is strictly regulated - this is not a chaotic choice. If you turn on fantasy and imagination, then it begins to seem as if this emblem is in the middle of the sun, blocking it - that's why the rays.

And if you look at history, you can understand that it is so. Because in Soviet time The flag was a blue cloth with a golden sun, in the middle of which was a red star with a hammer and sickle in the center. And a little lower - silver wings, which seem to be mounted on a black propeller ring.

It is worth noting that the Federation, together with the US Air Force, planned to conduct joint anti-terrorist exercises in 2008. It should have happened on Far East. The scenario was planned as follows: terrorists seize a plane at the airport, and the troops prevent the consequences. The Russian side was supposed to bring into action four fighters, search and rescue services and an early warning aircraft. The US Air Force required the participation of a civilian airliner and fighters. Plus the notorious plane. However, shortly before the planned event, literally a week before, it was reported that it was decided to mark the exercises. Many believe that the aggravated relations between NATO and Russia served as the reason.