Nonetheless, their position is year by year, becoming weaker. Hundreds of aircraft inherited from the Soviet Union would soon be decommissioned, with no replacement in sight. Due to finances, technology, and the weaknesses of the Russian industry.
At the beginning of this year, the Russian Air-Space forces operated heavy Su fighter aircraft, MiGs in a variety of variants, MiG interceptors, Su, and Su bombers, and Su CAS platforms: aircraft in total. This means that Russia currently operates aircraft, leading the pack and overtaking the PRC - but still being behind the US.
These numbers are far less impressive when one realizes that a certain part of this potential has been inherited from the Soviet Union. We know that the Soviet Union fell in - 30 years ago. Three decades are often defined as a term within which the expected lifecycle of MRCA comes to an end. This applies to the MiG for instance - that is still being operated by Poland, to a limited extent, and with numerous challenges ahead.
The manufacturing of the MiG had begun in Some of the aircraft in Russian service may be 30 to 40 years old then. The lifecycle extension process is one solution here - that may be in-depth and costly, as shown by the American example of the extension of the life cycles of the 4th generation platforms.
A similar process was adopted for the fleet of MiGs between and , but only 74 aircraft underwent the procedure 24 naval fighters, and 50 land-based aircraft , including several "brand new" export aircraft that were not commissioned by Algeria, because contrary to what was agreed, Russia delivered second-hand airframes to its customer.
The above means that more than of these aircraft did not undergo any works, or those works may have been limited, with their status being not much better from the 30 Polish Fulcrums, some of which have been grounded, while some are still flying, but with very limited capabilities.
The replacement of the aforesaid platform may also be problematic. The MiG exists. However, only 6 examples of this aircraft have been ordered, solely to be publicly displayed as a part of the air force's aerobatic display teams, as a marketing tool for selling the MiG on the export markets.
The Russians have no optimal light fighter that would meet the requirements they define. The replacement - maybe in the form of the single-engined Su Checkmate - is still a plan for the distant future.
No specific timeline may be mentioned here, apart from the fact that the manufacturing may be potentially launched in the s. The frontline bomber fleet is just a bit better. The Russians have managed to build examples of the Su over the decade counterpart of the US-made Fe. These aircraft were being manufactured between and Even the youngest Fencers are reaching their thirties now. The Su is not a solution here, even in a situation with another 30 jets joining the currently operated fleet soon.
Even if money is available to procure more, one needs to remember that over the last decade the Russians had managed to manufacture 18 aircraft as such per year, whereas the manufacturing peaked in the mids. Only a few jets per year were rolled off the production line in recent years.
Manufacturing of the Su MRCA partially fills in the capability gap expected to appear after the Sus are withdrawn. Only examples have been built so far. Employing the Su as a replacement would mean that they would not be able to carry out other missions. The fleet of heavy fighters belonging to the Su family seems to be in the best shape - relatively. During the recent decade, Su and 98 out of procured Su platforms have been manufactured. This should also include 22 modernized Sus - aircraft in total, that may remain in the active service for a relatively long time, with satisfying availability.
The Russian Air Force operates Su jets now. The above means that more than are legacy aircraft, that would need to be imminently replaced. Jens Stoltenberg's call last week was backed up by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a visit to the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, when he proposed a "relationship with Russia that is at least predictable and stable". According to Nato, while the Russian military aircraft never entered its member states' airspace they did not transmit transponder codes so posed a potential risk to civilian flights.
The alliance said the interceptions involved six groups of Russian planes:. Relations between Moscow and Nato deteriorated in when Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine and Russian-backed rebels took over areas of eastern Ukraine. They have been further strained by a dispute over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany which is opposed by the US.
Mr Blinken has warned that any companies involved in the project risk US sanctions. Air Force supersonic strategic B-1B bombers, accompanied by two KC refuelling planes, and escorted them over the waters of the Black Sea," the defence ministry said in a statement accompanied by video footage of the U.
It said the Russian aircraft had carried out their flight in strict compliance with international airspace rules and that Russia's borders had not been breached. Moscow blames Kyiv for a lack of progress in implementing a peace deal covering eastern Ukraine, something Ukraine denies.
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