Russian Aerospace Forces

Russian Aerospace Forces
Russian government, Ministry of Defence Medium emblem of the Военно-воздушные си · Public domain · source
Unit name	Russian Aerospace Forces
Native name	Воздушно-космические силы
Caption	Flag of the Russian Aerospace Forces
Start date	1 August 2015
Country	Russia
Type	Aerospace force
Role	Aerial warfare, Space warfare, Air and missile defense
Size	~165,000 personnel (2023)
Command structure	Russian Armed Forces
Garrison	Moscow
Garrison label	Headquarters
Current commander	Colonel General Andrey Yudin (acting)
Notable commanders	Viktor Bondarev, Sergey Surovikin, Sergei Shoigu
Identification symbol	80px
Identification symbol label	Roundel
Aircraft attack	Su-25, Su-34
Aircraft fighter	MiG-29, MiG-31, Su-27, Su-30, Su-35, Su-57
Aircraft bomber	Tu-22M, Tu-95, Tu-160
Aircraft helicopter	Mi-8, Mi-24, Mi-28, Ka-52
Aircraft patrol	Il-38, Il-76
Aircraft tanker	Il-78
Aircraft transport	An-124, An-22, Il-76
Missile missile	Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, 3M22 Zircon, 9K720 Iskander

Russian Aerospace Forces. The Russian Aerospace Forces are the unified aerospace warfare branch of the Russian Armed Forces, established in 2015 through the merger of the Russian Air Force and the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces. This integrated force is responsible for operations in the air domain, outer space, and for the nation's air and missile defense network. It plays a central role in Russia's military strategy, projecting power globally and defending its airspace and orbital assets.

History

The service's origins trace back to the Imperial Russian Air Service and, more directly, the formidable Soviet Air Forces of the Cold War. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Air Force was formed as a separate entity in 1992. A major reorganization occurred in 2011 with the creation of the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces, which assumed space and missile defense duties. The current branch was formed by a decree from President Vladimir Putin in 2015, merging these two services to streamline command and control for modern hybrid warfare. Its combat history includes the Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war, the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, and earlier conflicts such as the Second Chechen War and the Russo-Georgian War.

Structure and organization

The Russian Aerospace Forces are organized into several main branches: the Air Force, the Space Forces, and the Air and Missile Defence Forces. Operationally, it is divided into several commands, including the Special Purpose Command and four district-level commands aligned with the Russian Ground Forces' military districts: Western Military District, Southern Military District, Central Military District, and Eastern Military District. Key subordinate entities include the 15th Special Purpose Aerospace Forces Army, responsible for space surveillance and satellite control, and the 1st Air and Air Defence Forces Army. Major bases are located at Khmeimim Air Base, Engels-2 air base, and Akhtubinsk.

Equipment and capabilities

The fleet consists of a mix of modern and legacy Soviet-era aircraft, including strategic bombers like the Tupolev Tu-160 and Tupolev Tu-95, multirole fighters such as the Sukhoi Su-35 and Sukhoi Su-57, and attack helicopters like the Kamov Ka-52. It operates a significant fleet of transport aircraft, including the Ilyushin Il-76. The force fields advanced surface-to-air missile systems like the S-400 and S-500, and has integrated new weapons such as the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile. The Space Forces component manages assets like the GLONASS navigation constellation and the Oko early warning system from sites like Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

Operations and deployments

Beyond the Russian homeland, the force maintains a permanent presence at Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, supporting the Syrian government since 2015. It has conducted extensive operations in Ukraine, including airstrikes, close air support, and long-range missile attacks. The service regularly conducts major strategic exercises such as Kavkaz and Vostok. It also performs air policing missions over the Baltic region and the Arctic, and provides airlift support for Russian peacekeepers in regions like Nagorno-Karabakh.

Commanders and leadership

The first commander-in-chief was Colonel General Viktor Bondarev, a veteran of the Chechen wars. He was succeeded in 2017 by General of the Army Sergey Surovikin, who previously commanded the Russian forces in Syria. Following Surovikin's reassignment in 2023, Colonel General Andrey Yudin was appointed acting commander. The branch falls under the ultimate authority of the Minister of Defence, Sergei Shoigu, and the Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov.

Future developments and modernization

Modernization efforts under the State Armament Programme focus on increasing the proportion of modern equipment, with goals for new deliveries of the Sukhoi Su-57 and the modernized Tupolev Tu-160M2. Development continues on next-generation systems like the Sukhoi Su-75 Checkmate and the Mikoyan MiG-41 interceptor. The Space Forces are expanding satellite constellations for reconnaissance and communications, while also developing counterspace capabilities. Challenges include sanctions-related supply chain issues and losses sustained during the war in Ukraine, which may impact the pace of this modernization.

Category:Military of Russia Category:Air forces by country Category:Space forces