Russian Federation. Fighter aircraft
The two final parts of the review are devoted to the state of the Russian air defense system. Initially, it was one publication, but in order not to tire readers with a large amount of information, I had to split it into two parts. I want to warn you right away: if you are a "hurray-patriot" and prefer to get information about our armed forces from the official media, then these publications are not for you, and you will waste your time and nerves.
The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (RF Armed Forces) were created on May 7, 1992 on the basis of the former USSR Armed Forces. Our country, as the legal successor of the Soviet Union, inherited most of the equipment and weapons of the Soviet Army, and remained the only nuclear power in the post-Soviet space. As you know, by 1991, the USSR had accumulated a huge amount of weapons, this fully applied to air defense systems. Brief information about the quantitative and qualitative composition of the USSR air defense and fighter aviation is given in the first part of the review.
Of course, it was very expensive to maintain the mountains of weapons that the RF Armed Forces inherited, especially since a significant part of the weapons were outdated and heavily worn out, and in the state, against the background of confusion and loss of economic and economic ties, there was a landslide recession in the economy and an acute financial deficit. Under these conditions, a massive reduction of units and formations and the decommissioning of weapons equipment began. In the early 90s, against the backdrop of the "triumph of democracy", it seemed to many that after the fall of the "Iron Curtain" and the end of the Cold War, all contradictions between the countries would disappear and the threat of an armed conflict between Russia and the United States and NATO had sunk into oblivion. Lack of assessment of real risks, excessive trust in the promises of "Western partners", shortsightedness and greed of our top political and military leadership - all this led to the fact that ten years after Russia gained "independence", our defense potential collapsed several times.
This fully affected the Air Force and Air Defense. As a result of the division of the Soviet legacy, Russia received about 65% of its personnel and about 50% of aviation equipment, radars and air defense systems. In the mid-90s, a massive reduction of fighter aviation regiments, which had previously guarded our air lines, began. First of all, air regiments flying on the Su-15TM, MiG-21 bis, MiG-25PD / PDS, MiG-23P / ML / MLD were subject to liquidation. At the same time, the equipment was transferred "in storage", and the personnel were dismissed or transferred to other units.
Those who served in the armed forces in the 90s remember very well how much damage was done to our defenses. How expensive capital defense facilities, residential towns and airfields were destroyed. The fighters of the liquidated iap after several years of "storage" in the open air and often without protection turned into scrap metal. It was especially offensive that some of the destroyed aircraft were relatively new and could have been used for another 10-15 years without any problems. This applies to the rather modern MiG-23MLD fighters by the standards of the 90s. Now few people remember, but before the appearance of the MiG-29 and Su-27 in the USSR, only the third-generation MiG-23MLD fighter could more or less on equal terms withstand the American fourth-generation aircraft. In 1990, the Air Defense Forces of the USSR, excluding the Air Force, had more than 800 MiG-23s. But within the framework of the concept of combating accidents, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation abandoned single-engine fighters.
In the case of modernization of avionics and weapons, the MiG-23MLD fighters could now be successfully used as air defense interceptors. NATO pilots, who had a chance to pilot the "twenty-third", spoke enthusiastically about its acceleration characteristics.
The end of the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s were remembered for the fact that in conditions of a shortage of aviation fuel, most pilots had a critically low annual flight time, which, of course, affected the combat effectiveness of the Air Force as a whole. In the 2000s, already under the current top political leadership, the "optimization" and "modernization" of the armed forces continued. As before, fighter air regiments and airfields were eliminated. This especially affected the regions of the country located beyond the Urals. The Far East can be cited as an example of “successful optimization”. So at present, a huge territory is protected by three fighter regiments: the 865th separate fighter aviation regiment (Elizovo), which is part of the Pacific Fleet aviation on the MiG-31, the 23rd IAP (Dzemgi, Komsomolsk-on-Amur) on the Su-27SM, Su- 30M2, Su-35S, 22nd IAP (Tsentralnaya Uglovaya, 9 km south-west of Vladivostok international airport) - Su-35S, Su-27SM, Su-27UB, MiG-31BSM, Su-30M2. At the same time, the 865th Aviation Regiment in Kamchatka can be considered as such only conditionally, it is unlikely that it will have a half dozen serviceable interceptors.
The area of the Russian Far East is 6,169,329 km², which is more than 36% of the total area of the country. In total, about 100 fighters are based at the airfields of the Far Eastern Federal District. Whether this is enough to protect such a territory, let everyone decide for himself.
In 2015, the Air Force and Air Defense Forces were combined with the Aerospace Defense Forces and formed a new type of armed forces - the Aerospace Forces. The existing Air Force, in terms of its organizational and staff structure, began to form in 2008, when the armed forces began to create a "new look". Then the Air Force and Air Defense Commands were formed, subordinate to the newly created operational-strategic commands: Western, Southern, Central and Eastern. In 2009-2010, a transition to a two-tier air force control system was carried out, as a result of which the number of formations was reduced from 8 to 6, and air defense formations were reorganized into 11 aerospace defense brigades. The air regiments were brought together in air bases with a total number of about 70, including 25 tactical (front) aviation bases, of which 14 are purely fighter ones. The pulling together of the aircraft of several often dissimilar air regiments into one airbase was motivated by the "optimization" of costs. At the same time, the figures in the government and in the leadership of the Ministry of Defense did not care that aircraft concentrated on a few airbases were extremely vulnerable to a sudden preemptive strike, and abandoned airfields very soon became unusable. After the scandalous dismissal from the post of Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov, a partial return to the time-tested organizational and staff structures began. In total, as of 2015, there were 32 fighter aircraft: 8 - MiG-29, 8 - MiG-31, 12 - Su-27, 2 - Su-30SM and 2 - Su-35. At the same time, the MiG-29, MiG-31 and Su-27 fighters are represented by different modifications that differ significantly in their combat capabilities.
In general, in the Russian Aerospace Forces, the situation with fighters capable of intercepting air targets is in many ways alarming. Formally, in terms of the number of aircraft and helicopters in service, the Russian Air Force is second only to the US Air Force. According to data published in Flight International magazine, the Russian Air Force has just over 3,500 aircraft, which is 7% of the total number of all military aircraft and helicopters in the world. According to expert estimates, more than 700 fighters are in service including those "in storage". At the same time, it should be understood that most of the equipment "in storage" is machines with a depleted resource, without any chances to return to service.
Once the MiG-29 was the most massive 4th generation fighter in our Air Force, but over the past 15 years, the number of aircraft of this type has decreased threefold: this is explained both by corrosion and wear of the airframe, forcing the gradual decommissioning of these light fighters, and by the strong lobby of the Design Bureau "Sukhoi" in the person of Mikhail Poghosyan, who pushed his planes into service with our Air Force. According to the Military Balance, the MiG-29 modification 9-12 is no longer in the combatant regiments of the Russian Air Force.
Since the beginning of the 90s, the number of heavy interceptors MiG-31 has decreased from 400 aircraft to 130. The MiG-31 is in many ways a unique interceptor in its capabilities, but at the same time expensive, difficult to operate and control, and rather emergency. But, on the other hand, the MiG-31 has a number of advantages over other fighters: it has a powerful radar station, which in terms of characteristics is close to those on AWACS aircraft; long-range missiles, tremendous flight speed. The aircraft is capable of detecting and intercepting cruise missiles and enemy aircraft flying at low and ultra-low altitudes. It is assumed that the upgraded aircraft will receive a new radar "Zaslon-M", capable of detecting targets at a distance of 320 km and hitting at 280 km. The sighting equipment and equipment of the cabins will be completely changed. The modernized interceptor should receive new long-range R-37 missiles as the "main caliber".
Information about the modernization of the MiG-31 is rather contradictory. Officials in charge of the defense industry stated that by 2020 113 interceptors should be overhauled and modernized at the enterprises of OJSC Sokol and OJSC 514 Aviation Repair Plant. At the end of 2015, the number of modernized MiG-31s, taking into account the aircraft that had undergone modernization until 2012, in the Air Force reached 73 units. In 2016, 22 modernized interceptors are expected to arrive. According to the Ministry of Defense, it is planned to leave 40 MiG-31s in the DZ and BS modifications as part of the Air Force, another 60 MiG-31s will be upgraded to the BM version. The rest of the MiG-31s are planned to be written off. The number of MiG-31s planned for modernization roughly corresponds to the number of interceptors currently in combat units.
The MiG-31 is a fairly highly specialized vehicle designed mainly for combating strategic aviation at distant approaches and with cruise missiles. The backbone of fighters capable of performing air defense missions and gaining air superiority are the Su-27s of various modifications. In combat units there are about 180 fighters of this model. Of these, the most "advanced" are 47 Su-27SM and 12 Su-27SM3. Su-27SM deliveries to combat units began after 2005. Aircraft of modifications Su-27SM and Su-27SM3 before the appearance of the Su-30SM and Su-35S were the most advanced air superiority fighters in our Air Force.
The main promising areas for the development of fighter aircraft are maintaining and building up combat capabilities through the modernization of existing aircraft and the purchase of new machines (Su 30SM / M2, Su 35S), as well as the creation of a promising PAK-FA aviation complex, which has been tested since 2010.
Su-30SM at the Dzemgi airfield, photo by the author
As for the Su-30, the Air Force supplies Su-30M2 fighters, built at KnAAZ in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, and Su-30SM built by IAZ in Irkutsk. It is believed that the Su-30M2 is mainly intended to replace the Su-27UB to be decommissioned, while the Su-30SM is equipped with more advanced avionics and has a wide range of weapons. Currently, the industry has supplied more than 60 Su-30SM and more than 20 Su-30M2s within the framework of the state defense order. In 2016, a contract was signed for the supply of 28 Su-30SMs for the Russian Aerospace Forces. In total, up to 180 Su-30M2 / CM should be transferred to the RF Armed Forces by 2020. In addition to the Air Force, deliveries of multifunctional Su-30SM are also carried out to the naval aviation, where they replace the Su-24 and are used to provide air defense for naval bases.
In 2009, Sukhoi entered into an agreement with the Ministry of Defense for the supply of 48 Su-35S fighters, the delivery date is by the end of 2015. Until 2021, the Air Force should receive another 50 aircraft. Currently, Su-35S fighters are in service with the 22nd IAP based at the Tsentralnaya Uglovaya airfield (11 aircraft), and the 23rd IAP at the Dzemgi airfield (more than 20 aircraft). In addition, Su-35S fighters are available in test centers and combat training centers. In February 2016, it was announced that Russia had transferred 4 Su-35S fighters to the Khmeimim airbase in Syria.
Su-35S at the Dziomgi airfield, photo by the author
In terms of its characteristics, in addition to low-signature technology and AFAR, the Su-35S meets most of the requirements for 5th generation aircraft. According to a number of experts, the Su-35S, prior to the start of mass deliveries and the development of the PAK-FA, should become an intermediate type that can successfully counteract foreign 5th generation fighters. However, until recently, the Su-35S in combat units could only conduct close air combat, which largely devalued this undoubtedly outstanding fighter.
This information does not belong to the category of "closed", but it is not announced in the pro-government media. The thing is that the "bright minds" in the government, having enlisted the support of the president, decided to manufacture the latest air combat missiles at the enterprises of "fraternal" Ukraine. In the production of promising UR in cooperation with Russian enterprises, the Kiev NPO Luch and the State Holding Company Artyom were to be involved. As a result, after the well-known events in Ukraine, Russian Su-35S were left without medium-range missiles. To correct this situation in 2015, it took the intervention of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. At a conference call held in May 2015 at the country's new defense control center, he announced the following, quote:
"The main task for this year is to ensure high-quality testing of the weapons of this aircraft and bring its characteristics to the requirements of the tactical and technical specifications."
At the end of December 2015, on the central television channels, with great fanfare, it was reported that the Su-35S from the 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment at the Dzemgi airfield (Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Khabarovsk Territory), the 303rd Guards Mixed Aviation For the first time, divisions of the 11th Army of the Air Force and Air Defense of the Eastern Military District began air defense combat duty. At the same time, in the television report it was possible to see that only old R-27 medium-range missiles and R-73 melee missiles were suspended from the fighter. It is clear that with such weapons, contrary to the demands of the Minister of Defense, the Su-35S is not able to realize its full potential. This composition of weapons can be considered a forced, temporary measure. Moreover, the production of the latest modifications of the R-27 was also localized in Ukraine.
Only in April 2016, the Zvezda TV channel showed footage showing Su-35S fighters from the 23rd Fighter Aviation Regiment at the Dzemgi airfield on alert with the latest RVV-SD medium-range air-to-air missiles suspended ("product 170-1") with active radar homing heads. The urgent establishment of the production of modern missiles in Russia required heroic efforts of production workers and significant capital investments.
Another problem for the Su-35S was the large share of imported components. Before the introduction of Western sanctions against our country, this did not seem to be a big problem. Earlier, from the highest tribunes, it was repeatedly stated that Russia is an "energy superpower" and part of the global world economy, and there is no need to produce everything at home. Perhaps this statement is true in relation to consumer goods, but in terms of the production of modern weapons, such a policy is absolutely erroneous and short-sighted. In mid-2015, the United Aircraft Corporation declined to comment on the situation, saying: "We have no problems with the production of the Su-35S." At the same time, a source close to the Sukhoi corporation explained that a number of components for this aircraft will never be replaced, quote:
“Basically, there is any kind of loose material from foreign components: fittings, fasteners, regulating pumps and so on. They are penny, but it takes a while to start making them here. But the problem is not in them, but in the electronic element base, which no one is even going to produce here. We cannot replace a number of microcircuits with anything, so we will have to purchase them ready-made. This is dangerous because, although they are produced in Asian countries, they are developed in Western countries, primarily in the United States. And no one can guarantee that there are no bookmarks and other nonsense there."
Amusing in this situation was the fact that, despite the aggravated relations between the countries, supplies of components from Ukraine did not stop and there is no talk of replacing Ukrainian parts either, since there are no problems with them: the Ukrainians continue to supply, although they officially broke off cooperation with Russia. … But it is clear that in parallel with purchases abroad, it is necessary to start developing and producing Russian analogues. Since it is not known how the situation will develop further, after all, in Western countries, voices are heard louder and louder about the need to toughen the sanctions regime, or even complete international isolation of Russia. Moreover, the problem with imported components exists not only for the Su-35S.
Despite the serious volumes of deliveries of new aircraft, taking into account the upcoming decommissioning of machines that have exhausted their service life, the fleet of fighters in the Russian Aerospace Forces in the next few years may be reduced to 600 units. Within 5-7 years, due to wear and tear, up to 30% of the current payroll will be written off. In many ways, this will only be the registration of an already accomplished fact. It is no secret that, for example, a significant part of the light MiG-29 fighters is not in flight condition due to the corrosion of the airframe.
In the past, it was planned to compensate for the reduction in the number of MiG-31 interceptors after the start of mass deliveries of the PAK FA. In 2012, it was announced that the PAK FA is planned to purchase more than 50 units by 2020. But it is already clear that these plans will undergo significant downward adjustments. Just a few days ago, Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov, at a meeting with journalists in Rybinsk (Yaroslavl Region), said:
“We have Su-35 (4 ++ generation aircraft). He has very good opportunities that will be in demand for a long time. Not everything is squeezed out of this machine. We will continue testing the T-50. I do not exclude that the initial plans for its purchase may be revised."
According to information leaked to the media, the military ordered only 12 fighters, and after putting them into operation, they will determine how many aircraft of this type can afford, although previously they firmly hoped to purchase 52 aircraft. Obviously, this is due to financial constraints during the economic crisis and the unavailability of a number of units, avionics and weapons systems of the PAK FA complex.
It should be understood that even the most advanced fighters need guidance and coordination. Since 1989, the AWACS and U A-50 aircraft have been in service. It can be used to detect and track air targets and surface ships, alert command posts and headquarters about the air and surface situation, be used to control fighter and strike aircraft when aiming at air, land and sea targets, and also serve as an air command post. AWACS aircraft are indispensable for the timely detection of low-flying air targets against the background of the earth. The Russian Aerospace Forces has 15 A-50 AWACS aircraft, recently they were supplemented by 4 modernized A-50U aircraft.
Aircraft AWACS A-50U
The first A-50U was delivered in 2011. On a permanent basis, Russian "flying radars" are based in the European part of the country. In the Far East, they appear very rarely, only during large exercises.
