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Quite right, the Russian ariforce is in a pityful state and nothing looks to be changing either. I don't think any war planners in the Pentagon even care about Russia anymore, I mean whats the threat consist of, a handful of broken Migs, 3 Su-35's and 9 or 10 working bombers. all of which have barely trained crews.
China is, or rather will be the only peer rival to America in the forseable future, nuclear war aside of course.
Pls do not spice up the fact with your biased point of view..
What handfull of Migs?
Did you forget the four Su-30M2 and 12 Su-27SM3 produced last year.
The 34 Mig-29SMT are not a handfull of broken migs..
Read here:
http://www.16va.be/19_gviap_eng_part3.html
In 2011 these pilots got 111 on average flying hour, with plans to increase it up to 140hour, it may not happend next year but its increasing no doubt.
By the end of this year we'll see six more Su-35S operational, and eight+ Su-34 and two Su-30SM for state trials.
I'm not sure when the RuN get the Mig-29K, but as soon as the IN get the last of their order. Imo this or next year.
While this is not a whole lot, its a start.
And it is a damn nice re-armamnet plan!
Why do so many poster mix in what the VVS looked like in the late 90s-2000 and the VVS status today.
Everyone with half a brain can see the VVS will rise to the Future challange.
Signed Contracts for new jets:
4 Su-30M2 KnAAPO (contract fulfilled last year)
12 Su-27SM3 KnAAPO (contract fulfilled last year)
96 Su-35S KnAAPO (current number is 48, but 48 more will be ordered)
124 Su-34 NAPO
67 Yak-130 IAPO
30 Su-30SM IAPO
20 MiG-29K Sokol
4 MiG-29KUB Sokol
28 MiG-29SMT Sokol
6 MiG-29UB 9.53 Sokol
60 PAK FA KnAAPO (this is just for version with stage one engines, and before 2020)
= 451
Upgraded planes:
48 Su-27SM Completed
100 MiG-31BM half completed now(til 2020)
130 Su-25SM/SM3
12 Tu-160M
x Tu-22M3M
x Su-24M2
= 330 +
New helicopters:
97 Mi-28N OAO Rosvertol
140 Ka-52 Progress
30 Mi-35M OAO Rosvertol
x Mi-8 versions
15 Mi-26 OAO Rosvertol
= 282+
Pentagon, i'm sure hope you are watching
But seriously, China are the future rival, not Russia. But this is purly out of Political development.. if Mit Romney doesn't win and lay waste to the current US-Russian good relationship..