In the next 10 years, the Russian Air Force will acquire more than 1.5 thousand new aircraft and modernize more than 400 old-built aircraft. This was announced on December 1 by the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Igor Sadofiev. Similar figures have already been called by various media more than once, including with reference to high-ranking military personnel, but now representatives of the Air Force are clarifying the range of planned purchases.
Modernization
Modernization of aging aircraft allows for relatively little money to dramatically increase the combat capabilities of the previous generation of aircraft. This method of fleet renewal is used by the Air Force of many countries of the world. Russia plans to modernize, first of all, long-range and military transport aircraft.
The service life will be extended for strategic bombers Tu-160 and Tu-95, as well as long-range bombers Tu-22M3. The refueling aircraft Il-78 and "flying radars" A-50 will be modernized. The fleet of military transport vehicles is also planned to be renewed: first of all, it concerns the An-124 Ruslan and Il-76 aircraft.
Modernization will also affect front-line aviation, where the emphasis will shift somewhat. So, apparently, the modernization of the Su-27 fighters into the SM version will be stopped - instead, in 2011, the Air Force will receive 12 new aircraft of this type. In addition, in the same year, the Air Force will begin deliveries of serial Su-35S fighters - the latest model on the meringue of the Su-27 platform.
However, the modernization of Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-24 bombers and MiG-31 interceptors is intensifying. These aircraft, together with transport aircraft and long-range bombers, will form the basis of the modernized Russian Air Force fleet.
What's new?
The greatest interest is aroused by the statement of the Air Force Deputy Chief Commander about plans to purchase 1,500 new aircraft and helicopters within 10 years. Taking into account the fact that until now the annual purchases of aircraft did not exceed 30-40 aircraft of all classes, these plans mean a multiple increase in the order for new equipment. How realistic are they?
“This number, 1,500 vehicles, most likely includes not only airplanes and helicopters, but also unmanned vehicles. The overall result is more impressive, - explains RIA Novosti one of the leading Russian military experts, director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST) Ruslan Pukhov. "Such an increase is often practiced by many countries, for example, when submitting information to the UN Register of Conventional Arms."
In fact, among these "more than 1500 machines", most likely, there will be 350-400 new combat aircraft, about 100 military transport aircraft of various types, 120-140 Yak-130 combat training aircraft. The remaining 800-900 units will be represented by helicopters and UAVs.
Speaking about the specific types of aircraft purchased, such figures can be cited. The Ministry of Defense has already signed contracts for the purchase of 32 Su-34 front-line bombers (until 2013), 48 Su-35 fighters (until 2015), 12 Su-27SM fighters (until 2011), 4 Su-30M2 (until 2011), 12 Su-25UBM. This year, a contract is to be signed for the supply of 26 MiG-29K fighters by 2015.
It is expected that additional contracts for the supply of the Su-34 (at least 80 aircraft) and the Su-35 (24-48 aircraft) will follow, which will add up to approximately 240-260 aircraft of these types.
The contracts for the purchase of another 100-110 vehicles will most likely go to the Sukhoi Design Bureau (for the fifth generation T-50 fighter and other company vehicles). Procurement of the MiG-35 fighter is possible.
The range of helicopters is also known. First of all, these are combat Mi-28N and Ka-52 - their number by 2020 is likely to be 200-250 and 50-60 vehicles, respectively. The basis of the fleet of transport and combat helicopters will continue to be Mi-8 of various variants. Their serial production, which began in the 1960s, will continue for at least another two decades. But the fleet of light helicopters, which were previously represented by one Mi-2 model, will be updated. The Mi-2 will be replaced by the light training Ansat and the multipurpose Ka-60 Kasatka.
Mysterious drones and the grand total
The biggest mystery is the range of drones to be purchased for the Russian Air Force.
In fact, today the Air Force intends to acquire vehicles that do not yet exist or, at best, are at the final design stage. Earlier it was reported that tests of domestic UAVs for the Air Force should begin in 2011. The New Year begins very soon, and we can only hope that in the next 12 months we will hear more or less detailed information about new unmanned vehicles.
Speaking about the total strength of the Russian Air Force, so far one can only repeat the previously given assessment. By 2020, the Russian Air Force will have about 800 combat aircraft capable of solving real-world missions. The total number of the Air Force fleet will be approximately 1, 5-1, 7 thousand aircraft and helicopters. Taking into account the aircraft and helicopters of the Navy, the Russian military aviation will have about 1, 8-1, 9 thousand aircraft, excluding drones.
