Common sense course
Military development aviation - priority in the construction of the Armed Forces of Russia
What changes are waiting for our Air Force in the near future? Will the distortions and excesses in their reform, made by the previous leadership of the Ministry of Defense, be corrected? What are expected in the near future arrivals of new military equipment? These and other questions specifically for the "MIC" were answered by the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant-General Viktor Bondarev.
"MIC": Viktor Nikolaevich, it became known that the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is preparing a partial change in the structure of the Air Force. Is this decision connected with the results of a sudden check of the troops and forces of the Eastern Military District?
- The change in the structure of the Air Force will be expressed in a return to the organizational structure of the “division - regiment” in the aviation of the Air Force. And also in the re-formation of air defense and aerospace defense brigades in the air defense division. Proposals for a return to the divisional-regimental structure of the Air Force were developed on the basis of the results of the conducted analysis of the functioning of the Air Force under the existing organizational structure. Identified a number of problematic issues related to the organization of management, solving problems of flight training. As a result, the decision was made to return to the former structure of the “aviation division - aviation regiment”.
Prospective basing in general will not change. The main criterion for determining it will be basing one regiment on one airfield. Conducted surprise checks of the Southern, Eastern, Western military districts, as well as the Air Force and the Aerospace Defense Forces only confirmed the correctness of this decision.
In addition, work is underway to recreate the educational and scientific complex of the Armed Forces type. The military educational and scientific center of the Air Force "Air Force Academy named after Professor N. E. Zhukovsky and Yu. A. Gagarin" was returned to the Air Force, as well as a number of research centers, on the basis of which the Central Scientific Research Institute of the Air Force was formed forces
"MIC": Will the proposed changes affect the functioning of military airfields, especially in hard-to-reach areas of Russia (particularly in the Arctic), where there are no civilian airports, and many of the runways belonging to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation are in poor condition?
- The scheme of functioning of military airfields will practically not change, while the intensity of their use will significantly increase, including those located in remote areas of Russia, including in the Far North. The air force currently has the necessary financial and material resources to maintain the operational viability of these airfields. At the same time, together with the repair of the runways, we will organize the work on the modernization of the airfield infrastructure facilities, as well as residential towns.
"MIC": When can be signed a contract for the supply of tanker Il-78 for the Air Force?
- A promising tanker aircraft is being created as part of the development work, which is ordered by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The deadline is 2015 year. After creating the design documentation and carrying out the relevant tests, the promising tanker aircraft will be put into service, and it will be procured in the amounts stipulated by the State Armaments Program-2020.
As for the existing fleet of tankers such as the IL-78, it will be modernized. The operation of these aircraft is provided up to 2030 year inclusive.
"MIC": Has there been any clarity in the signing of the contract between the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Russian Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation "MiG" for the supply of MiG-35С fighters?
- The MiG-35S aircraft is being created by RAC MiG OJSC as part of its initiative development work on a tactical and technical assignment issued by the Russian Ministry of Defense. But, as you understand, until the end of the development and testing of the aircraft, its purchase is not possible. I can only say that tentatively purchases will be possible from 2016 year.
"MIC": If we talk about the testing of fifth-generation aircraft in the V. P. Chkalov State Flight Test Center (Akhtubinsk, Astrakhan Region), what are the preliminary results?
- Currently, the fifth-generation multi-purpose fighter PAK FA is undergoing factory testing. Everything is going according to plan and by the end of 2013, it will be accepted for state tests in the 929 of the GLITs of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
"MIC": And yet, when can we approximately expect to receive it into mass production?
- Let me remind you that the promising aviation complex of front-line aviation is being created as part of the development work envisaged by the LG-2020. Before going into the series, prototypes of the aircraft must pass state tests, which will last at least three years. After checking the aircraft for compliance with the requirements of the tactical and technical tasks, it will go into service.
"MIC": Little is known about the promising long-range aviation complex (PAK DA). How will it differ from the Tu-160 and Tu-95MS?
- Considered by the Russian Defense Ministry as a promising long-range aviation complex, this aircraft will include all the best features of modern long-range aviation aircraft (Tu-160, Tu-95MS, Tu-22М3). PAK DA will be equipped with all promising types of high-precision weapons.
"MIC": When can we expect its mass production?
- I think at the beginning of the next decade.
MIC: You stated that the MiG-31 will be replaced by a new interceptor aircraft, which the Air Force expects to receive by 2020 year. Will it be created on the basis of a promising front-line aviation complex (PAK FA) or is it a fundamentally different project? What scientific organizations are developing it?
- From 2013, the Su-35С multifunctional fighter will begin to flow into the air units. The complex of aircraft armament and tactical-technical data of the aircraft allow it to solve the tasks of long-range interception of air targets. Modern long-range air-to-air missiles Su-35С aircraft will be equipped by 2015 year.
Taking into account the decommissioning of the MiG-31 type aircraft in the next decade due to the expiration of service life, the new promising Su-35С and PAK FA aviation complexes will be procured in the required amount and will ensure the solution of the Air Defense tasks on air defense.
Along with the enterprises of the United Aircraft Building Corporation, the enterprises of the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation participate in the creation of new airborne intercept systems.
"MIC": What other modern aviation complexes already in service with the Air Force, we can talk today?
- These are Su-30CM, Su-35С combat aircraft and Ka-52, Mi-28Н helicopters. The Tu-160, Tu-95MS strategic aircraft currently being upgraded, the A-50U long-range radar detection aircraft, modern transport assault helicopters of all types, including the Ansat-U training helicopter, the Yak-130 training aircraft.
By the way, the exposition of military aviation and air defense complexes presented at MAKS-2013 characterized the scientific and industrial strength of the Russian defense industry, showed the world the main directions of its development, attracting foreign orders for samples of domestic military aviation and air defense weapons.
"MIC": What types of weapons and military equipment developed for air defense?
- To solve the problems of air defense, the Air Force has already received the latest C-400, Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile systems and the Nebo-M radar systems. At present, the Vityaz-PVO air defense missile system and the Container over-the-horizon radar station are under test.
"MIC": When will our Armed Forces get the first set of last-generation air defense systems, the C-500? How many divisions of these systems can an army get by 2020?
- A prospective anti-aircraft missile system C-500 is under development, its adoption is planned for up to 2020 year.
The terms and volumes of the C-500 ZRS supply to the troops are planned in accordance with the decision of the President of the Russian Federation to ensure that the types and types of the Armed Forces are up-to-date with modern weapons, military and special equipment. They will help maintain the necessary level of troop combat readiness and the performance of air defense tasks by concentrating the main efforts on particularly important strategic facilities.
“MIC”: Not much is known about this system. What tactical and technical characteristics will it have?
- The C-500 anti-aircraft missile system will be able to accomplish the task of destroying operational-tactical missiles, medium-range missiles, as well as targets in near space.
As a reference, I’ll inform you that the C-500 ZRS is supposed to apply the principle of separately solving the tasks of destroying ballistic and aerodynamic targets. The main task is to combat the combat equipment of medium-range ballistic missiles, and, if necessary, intercontinental ballistic missiles in the final segment of the trajectory. The anti-aircraft missile system will hit both hypersonic aircraft and cruise missiles at low altitudes.
C-500 will provide cover for selected major cities, industrial sites and priority strategic objectives. In terms of its combat capabilities, the ZRS will significantly surpass the C-400 Triumph system currently in service and its foreign counterpart - the American THAAD.
There are a number of requirements for a promising C-500 system. This is an extended range of speeds and types of targets to be hit, increased noise immunity, expansion of the affected areas, unification, integration with other fire weapons and types of air defense systems. It should also have the highest possible mobility, the ability to work in any climatic conditions and to function effectively in the conditions of using means of overcoming air defense and missile defense.
"MIC": Is there a shortage of personnel in the Air Force of Russia, in which areas is it most felt?
- Minor deficiency is present. In order to replenish it, the focus is on working with officers. After a three-year break, we resumed enrollment in Air Force higher education institutions. In order to popularize the aviation profession, we support the work of existing cadet corps, general education boarding schools with initial flight training, and we provide active patronage assistance in attracting young people to Air Force universities.
At present, on behalf of the Minister of Defense, proposals are being prepared to the President on the establishment of the Moscow Presidential Cadet School on the funds of the military air training center of the Air Force “Military Air Academy named after Professor N. Ye. Zhukovsky and Yu. A. Gagarin” transferred to the city of Voronezh (urban settlement Monino, Moscow region).
I believe that the measures taken by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the High Command of the Air Force will be removed in the near future.
"MIC": What are the results of the implementation of the flight training plan for formations and units of aviation branches of the Air Force? Has the flight over the past year increased by one pilot?
- Qualitative training of flight personnel for the performance of combat missions for their intended purpose contributes to the implementation of the flight training plan, which remains one of the main tasks in the Air Force aviation. Compared to last year, the raid in the Air Force has increased by 2360 hours and today is 99 percent of the annual plan.
One of the most important indicators of the level of flight training is the average raid on the crew commander of aviation associations, formations and units. Over the past year, the average flight time per pilot was over a hundred hours. Particular attention is paid to the preparation of young flight personnel - recent university graduates. The High Command of the Air Force is interested in the early commissioning of young pilots, which, in general, will increase the combat readiness of aviation units. Thus, the raid on a young pilot over the past year amounted to more than 111 hours.
MIC: In June 2013, for the first time, a competition was held for the best flight crew of Aviadarts. What positive moments and, on the contrary, failed to reveal the disadvantages during the competition?
- The competition was held in accordance with the decision of the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu. It was held for the first time in the Air Force and showed a fairly high level of training and skill of the pilots. The crew of the flight personnel of the Air Force ground attack aircraft on the Su-32, Su-25SM and army aviation helicopters on the Ka-25, Mi-52 and Mi-28 helicopters were involved. Crews of attack aircraft and combat helicopters competed, demonstrating their knowledge, physical fitness, and skills in the air. According to the results of the competition, the crews of Major Mizharev and Captain Khizhnyakov took the first place among the assault aviation crews on the Su-24SM airplanes of the Budennovsk aviation base. Among the crews of army aviation are the crews of Captain Skidanchuk and Lieutenant Shehurdin on Mi-25 helicopters of the Korenovsk air base. They adequately passed all examinations and sniper hit the targets at the test site, showed a high level of tactical and flight training, readiness to perform combat missions, gained tremendous experience in decision making in difficult tactical conditions.
The experience gained in the organization of Aviadarts will allow holding similar competitions in 2014 at a higher level and will provide an opportunity to plan for the participation of crews of strike aircraft from other states.
"MIC": When in the Air Force will be a new aerobatic team on the Yak-130? Will it be created on the basis of one of the existing groups or formed from scratch?
- Currently, the Yak-130 is supplied to the Air Force and mastered in training aviation units. The creation of the aerobatic team based on the Yak-130 aircraft is provided for in the plans of the Air Force. It will include pilots of those aviation units that operate this aircraft.
"MIC": From the budget of the Russian Federation for the re-equipment of the Air Force will be sent five trillion rubles, as stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting on the status and development prospects of military aviation. This is approximately 25 percent of the total financing of the state defense order. Are you able to complete the tasks on time? How many modern airplanes and helicopters within the framework of the state defense order have already entered service with the RF Armed Forces?
- It is planned to purchase two thousand airplanes and helicopters, and due to this, by the year 2020, to bring the share of modern aviation technology in the army to 70 percent. Currently, the Air Force has more than one hundred new aircraft and three hundred helicopters. In addition, the modernization of the MiG-31, Su-25, Tu-95MS, Tu-160 and Tu-22М3 aircraft continues.
"MIC": To achieve this goal, industry enterprises must go through a full technical re-equipment, strengthen their production and human resources. But to increase output and at the same time restructure production is not an easy task. In your opinion, are the country's aviation enterprises coping with it?
- As far as we know, at present the issue of training production personnel is under the strict control of the president and the government of the Russian Federation. For this task, the heads of industrial enterprises and holding companies report to the Military Industrial Commission under the Government of the Russian Federation. The state armament program until 2020 has been synchronized with the Federal Target Program for the Development of the Defense-Industrial Complex, of which the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia is the government customer. Within the framework of this Federal Program, enterprises retool production and prepare it for the release of new samples. This allows the aviation industry in some nomenclatures to fulfill the state order with an increase in the volume of supplies and repairs up to 200 percent per year.
"MIC": Which companies do you think are leaders, and which are outsiders in this regard? How much is the lag in some of them in modernization and how does this affect the fulfillment of the state defense order as a whole? What can affect the timing of the implementation of the state defense order in the field of military aviation and air defense?
- Traditionally, at a higher rate, they increase production and expand the range of products supplied by enterprises that worked after the collapse of the Soviet Union for export. These include those that supply products for operational-tactical and army aviation. At the same time, the measures taken by the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense over the past three years to prioritize the placement of a state defense order at enterprises with low production potential, but directly affecting the country's defense capability, ensured production stability and the ability to develop and manufacture new products.
"MIC": The most successful projects of the Russian aviation industry in the field of export are fighters of the Su-30 and Mig-29 families. Meanwhile, foreign-made avionics are increasingly being installed on them. Can this negatively affect the performance of a combat mission in a real battle?
- I can report that none of the devices of foreign production is installed on a combat aircraft without testing in specialized Russian laboratories. Installation of foreign devices is carried out by domestic design bureaus to meet the high requirements specified in tactical and technical tasks. Knowing the results of the checks being conducted, I can say that import avionics cannot be the cause of the disruption of combat missions. At least so far no such facts have been identified.
"MIC": If the re-equipment of the fleet of combat aircraft and helicopters is more or less clear, then the situation with the supply of military transport aircraft, alas, does not inspire optimism. Please tell us more about the delivery schedules of the An-140-100 transport aircraft from the Samara Aviakor plant, Il-76MD-90А, and An-124-100 Ruslan.
- An-140-100 is a civilian short-haul passenger aircraft, its purchase is necessary to replace obsolete An-26 aircraft that are still in service. An-140-100 purchased under a long-term contract, in 2014, the Air Force will already have 11 of such aircraft. At the same time, the Ministry of Defense of Russia, up to 2020, has planned all the necessary measures aimed at modernizing and building up the existing fleet of military transport aircraft of the types Il-76, An-124, and creating and purchasing light and medium military transport aircraft. At present, a long-term state contract has been concluded for the supply of more than 30 Il-76MD-90А planes, with the rate of two aircraft per year being upgraded to An-124 in the An-124-100 version.
"MIC": How would you assess the professional level of training of flight personnel to work on a new technology? How much has it decreased since the reduction of the Armed Forces in 2009 – 2012? What measures is the chief of the Air Force taking to improve the situation?
- The professional level of training of flight personnel of the Air Force is sufficient for the development of the incoming new aircraft. Organizing staffing in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation did not affect the quality of the training of flight personnel and the development of new aviation technology. The chief command of the Air Force continues the planned work on the development of the incoming new aircraft and certain tasks are carried out based on the tasks. In particular, curricula, teaching materials, qualification requirements for aviation specialists are adjusted, modern technical training tools are supplied (simulators, educational computer classes, interactive training systems for new types of airplanes and helicopters), and changes are made to the system of advanced training aviation personnel, course training.
"MIC": The combat potential of the Air Force is largely determined by the state of the network of aerodromes. Much of them were built in the middle of the last century and require repairs. What are the plans of the High Command of the Air Force to build new and reconstruct old airfields?
- In 2013, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation approved the prospective composition of the airfield network of the Air Force. Taking into account the wear of the airfield pavements before 2020, measures have been planned for the repair and reconstruction of existing airfields. At the same time, work to bring them up to airworthiness standards has been actively carried out since 2010, both by forces of the specialized units of the Air Force and by outside organizations. Every year, work to restore GDP and coverage is carried out simultaneously at more than 15 airfields.
"MIC": And the last question. Which areas in the field of military aircraft are recognized as priorities, will they change before the 2020 year?
- The development of military aviation in general is a priority in the construction of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. At the same time, the State Armaments Program up to 2020 of the year provides for the nomenclature positions of aviation technology and aviation weapons of destruction, which directly affect the combat effectiveness of all aircraft branches. Their supplies are under the control of the country's president, the government and the Ministry of Defense.
What changes are waiting for our Air Force in the near future? Will the distortions and excesses in their reform, made by the previous leadership of the Ministry of Defense, be corrected? What are expected in the near future arrivals of new military equipment? These and other questions specifically for the "MIC" were answered by the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, Lieutenant-General Viktor Bondarev.
"MIC": Viktor Nikolaevich, it became known that the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation is preparing a partial change in the structure of the Air Force. Is this decision connected with the results of a sudden check of the troops and forces of the Eastern Military District?
- The change in the structure of the Air Force will be expressed in a return to the organizational structure of the “division - regiment” in the aviation of the Air Force. And also in the re-formation of air defense and aerospace defense brigades in the air defense division. Proposals for a return to the divisional-regimental structure of the Air Force were developed on the basis of the results of the conducted analysis of the functioning of the Air Force under the existing organizational structure. Identified a number of problematic issues related to the organization of management, solving problems of flight training. As a result, the decision was made to return to the former structure of the “aviation division - aviation regiment”.
Prospective basing in general will not change. The main criterion for determining it will be basing one regiment on one airfield. Conducted surprise checks of the Southern, Eastern, Western military districts, as well as the Air Force and the Aerospace Defense Forces only confirmed the correctness of this decision.
In addition, work is underway to recreate the educational and scientific complex of the Armed Forces type. The military educational and scientific center of the Air Force "Air Force Academy named after Professor N. E. Zhukovsky and Yu. A. Gagarin" was returned to the Air Force, as well as a number of research centers, on the basis of which the Central Scientific Research Institute of the Air Force was formed forces
"MIC": Will the proposed changes affect the functioning of military airfields, especially in hard-to-reach areas of Russia (particularly in the Arctic), where there are no civilian airports, and many of the runways belonging to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation are in poor condition?
- The scheme of functioning of military airfields will practically not change, while the intensity of their use will significantly increase, including those located in remote areas of Russia, including in the Far North. The air force currently has the necessary financial and material resources to maintain the operational viability of these airfields. At the same time, together with the repair of the runways, we will organize the work on the modernization of the airfield infrastructure facilities, as well as residential towns.
"MIC": When can be signed a contract for the supply of tanker Il-78 for the Air Force?
- A promising tanker aircraft is being created as part of the development work, which is ordered by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The deadline is 2015 year. After creating the design documentation and carrying out the relevant tests, the promising tanker aircraft will be put into service, and it will be procured in the amounts stipulated by the State Armaments Program-2020.
As for the existing fleet of tankers such as the IL-78, it will be modernized. The operation of these aircraft is provided up to 2030 year inclusive.
"MIC": Has there been any clarity in the signing of the contract between the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Russian Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation "MiG" for the supply of MiG-35С fighters?
- The MiG-35S aircraft is being created by RAC MiG OJSC as part of its initiative development work on a tactical and technical assignment issued by the Russian Ministry of Defense. But, as you understand, until the end of the development and testing of the aircraft, its purchase is not possible. I can only say that tentatively purchases will be possible from 2016 year.
"MIC": If we talk about the testing of fifth-generation aircraft in the V. P. Chkalov State Flight Test Center (Akhtubinsk, Astrakhan Region), what are the preliminary results?
- Currently, the fifth-generation multi-purpose fighter PAK FA is undergoing factory testing. Everything is going according to plan and by the end of 2013, it will be accepted for state tests in the 929 of the GLITs of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
"MIC": And yet, when can we approximately expect to receive it into mass production?
- Let me remind you that the promising aviation complex of front-line aviation is being created as part of the development work envisaged by the LG-2020. Before going into the series, prototypes of the aircraft must pass state tests, which will last at least three years. After checking the aircraft for compliance with the requirements of the tactical and technical tasks, it will go into service.
"MIC": Little is known about the promising long-range aviation complex (PAK DA). How will it differ from the Tu-160 and Tu-95MS?
- Considered by the Russian Defense Ministry as a promising long-range aviation complex, this aircraft will include all the best features of modern long-range aviation aircraft (Tu-160, Tu-95MS, Tu-22М3). PAK DA will be equipped with all promising types of high-precision weapons.
"MIC": When can we expect its mass production?
- I think at the beginning of the next decade.
MIC: You stated that the MiG-31 will be replaced by a new interceptor aircraft, which the Air Force expects to receive by 2020 year. Will it be created on the basis of a promising front-line aviation complex (PAK FA) or is it a fundamentally different project? What scientific organizations are developing it?
- From 2013, the Su-35С multifunctional fighter will begin to flow into the air units. The complex of aircraft armament and tactical-technical data of the aircraft allow it to solve the tasks of long-range interception of air targets. Modern long-range air-to-air missiles Su-35С aircraft will be equipped by 2015 year.
Taking into account the decommissioning of the MiG-31 type aircraft in the next decade due to the expiration of service life, the new promising Su-35С and PAK FA aviation complexes will be procured in the required amount and will ensure the solution of the Air Defense tasks on air defense.
Along with the enterprises of the United Aircraft Building Corporation, the enterprises of the Tactical Missile Weapons Corporation participate in the creation of new airborne intercept systems.
"MIC": What other modern aviation complexes already in service with the Air Force, we can talk today?
- These are Su-30CM, Su-35С combat aircraft and Ka-52, Mi-28Н helicopters. The Tu-160, Tu-95MS strategic aircraft currently being upgraded, the A-50U long-range radar detection aircraft, modern transport assault helicopters of all types, including the Ansat-U training helicopter, the Yak-130 training aircraft.
By the way, the exposition of military aviation and air defense complexes presented at MAKS-2013 characterized the scientific and industrial strength of the Russian defense industry, showed the world the main directions of its development, attracting foreign orders for samples of domestic military aviation and air defense weapons.
"MIC": What types of weapons and military equipment developed for air defense?
- To solve the problems of air defense, the Air Force has already received the latest C-400, Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile systems and the Nebo-M radar systems. At present, the Vityaz-PVO air defense missile system and the Container over-the-horizon radar station are under test.
"MIC": When will our Armed Forces get the first set of last-generation air defense systems, the C-500? How many divisions of these systems can an army get by 2020?
- A prospective anti-aircraft missile system C-500 is under development, its adoption is planned for up to 2020 year.
The terms and volumes of the C-500 ZRS supply to the troops are planned in accordance with the decision of the President of the Russian Federation to ensure that the types and types of the Armed Forces are up-to-date with modern weapons, military and special equipment. They will help maintain the necessary level of troop combat readiness and the performance of air defense tasks by concentrating the main efforts on particularly important strategic facilities.
“MIC”: Not much is known about this system. What tactical and technical characteristics will it have?
- The C-500 anti-aircraft missile system will be able to accomplish the task of destroying operational-tactical missiles, medium-range missiles, as well as targets in near space.
As a reference, I’ll inform you that the C-500 ZRS is supposed to apply the principle of separately solving the tasks of destroying ballistic and aerodynamic targets. The main task is to combat the combat equipment of medium-range ballistic missiles, and, if necessary, intercontinental ballistic missiles in the final segment of the trajectory. The anti-aircraft missile system will hit both hypersonic aircraft and cruise missiles at low altitudes.
C-500 will provide cover for selected major cities, industrial sites and priority strategic objectives. In terms of its combat capabilities, the ZRS will significantly surpass the C-400 Triumph system currently in service and its foreign counterpart - the American THAAD.
There are a number of requirements for a promising C-500 system. This is an extended range of speeds and types of targets to be hit, increased noise immunity, expansion of the affected areas, unification, integration with other fire weapons and types of air defense systems. It should also have the highest possible mobility, the ability to work in any climatic conditions and to function effectively in the conditions of using means of overcoming air defense and missile defense.
"MIC": Is there a shortage of personnel in the Air Force of Russia, in which areas is it most felt?
- Minor deficiency is present. In order to replenish it, the focus is on working with officers. After a three-year break, we resumed enrollment in Air Force higher education institutions. In order to popularize the aviation profession, we support the work of existing cadet corps, general education boarding schools with initial flight training, and we provide active patronage assistance in attracting young people to Air Force universities.
At present, on behalf of the Minister of Defense, proposals are being prepared to the President on the establishment of the Moscow Presidential Cadet School on the funds of the military air training center of the Air Force “Military Air Academy named after Professor N. Ye. Zhukovsky and Yu. A. Gagarin” transferred to the city of Voronezh (urban settlement Monino, Moscow region).
I believe that the measures taken by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the High Command of the Air Force will be removed in the near future.
"MIC": What are the results of the implementation of the flight training plan for formations and units of aviation branches of the Air Force? Has the flight over the past year increased by one pilot?
- Qualitative training of flight personnel for the performance of combat missions for their intended purpose contributes to the implementation of the flight training plan, which remains one of the main tasks in the Air Force aviation. Compared to last year, the raid in the Air Force has increased by 2360 hours and today is 99 percent of the annual plan.
One of the most important indicators of the level of flight training is the average raid on the crew commander of aviation associations, formations and units. Over the past year, the average flight time per pilot was over a hundred hours. Particular attention is paid to the preparation of young flight personnel - recent university graduates. The High Command of the Air Force is interested in the early commissioning of young pilots, which, in general, will increase the combat readiness of aviation units. Thus, the raid on a young pilot over the past year amounted to more than 111 hours.
MIC: In June 2013, for the first time, a competition was held for the best flight crew of Aviadarts. What positive moments and, on the contrary, failed to reveal the disadvantages during the competition?
- The competition was held in accordance with the decision of the Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu. It was held for the first time in the Air Force and showed a fairly high level of training and skill of the pilots. The crew of the flight personnel of the Air Force ground attack aircraft on the Su-32, Su-25SM and army aviation helicopters on the Ka-25, Mi-52 and Mi-28 helicopters were involved. Crews of attack aircraft and combat helicopters competed, demonstrating their knowledge, physical fitness, and skills in the air. According to the results of the competition, the crews of Major Mizharev and Captain Khizhnyakov took the first place among the assault aviation crews on the Su-24SM airplanes of the Budennovsk aviation base. Among the crews of army aviation are the crews of Captain Skidanchuk and Lieutenant Shehurdin on Mi-25 helicopters of the Korenovsk air base. They adequately passed all examinations and sniper hit the targets at the test site, showed a high level of tactical and flight training, readiness to perform combat missions, gained tremendous experience in decision making in difficult tactical conditions.
The experience gained in the organization of Aviadarts will allow holding similar competitions in 2014 at a higher level and will provide an opportunity to plan for the participation of crews of strike aircraft from other states.
"MIC": When in the Air Force will be a new aerobatic team on the Yak-130? Will it be created on the basis of one of the existing groups or formed from scratch?
- Currently, the Yak-130 is supplied to the Air Force and mastered in training aviation units. The creation of the aerobatic team based on the Yak-130 aircraft is provided for in the plans of the Air Force. It will include pilots of those aviation units that operate this aircraft.
"MIC": From the budget of the Russian Federation for the re-equipment of the Air Force will be sent five trillion rubles, as stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting on the status and development prospects of military aviation. This is approximately 25 percent of the total financing of the state defense order. Are you able to complete the tasks on time? How many modern airplanes and helicopters within the framework of the state defense order have already entered service with the RF Armed Forces?
- It is planned to purchase two thousand airplanes and helicopters, and due to this, by the year 2020, to bring the share of modern aviation technology in the army to 70 percent. Currently, the Air Force has more than one hundred new aircraft and three hundred helicopters. In addition, the modernization of the MiG-31, Su-25, Tu-95MS, Tu-160 and Tu-22М3 aircraft continues.
"MIC": To achieve this goal, industry enterprises must go through a full technical re-equipment, strengthen their production and human resources. But to increase output and at the same time restructure production is not an easy task. In your opinion, are the country's aviation enterprises coping with it?
- As far as we know, at present the issue of training production personnel is under the strict control of the president and the government of the Russian Federation. For this task, the heads of industrial enterprises and holding companies report to the Military Industrial Commission under the Government of the Russian Federation. The state armament program until 2020 has been synchronized with the Federal Target Program for the Development of the Defense-Industrial Complex, of which the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia is the government customer. Within the framework of this Federal Program, enterprises retool production and prepare it for the release of new samples. This allows the aviation industry in some nomenclatures to fulfill the state order with an increase in the volume of supplies and repairs up to 200 percent per year.
"MIC": Which companies do you think are leaders, and which are outsiders in this regard? How much is the lag in some of them in modernization and how does this affect the fulfillment of the state defense order as a whole? What can affect the timing of the implementation of the state defense order in the field of military aviation and air defense?
- Traditionally, at a higher rate, they increase production and expand the range of products supplied by enterprises that worked after the collapse of the Soviet Union for export. These include those that supply products for operational-tactical and army aviation. At the same time, the measures taken by the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense over the past three years to prioritize the placement of a state defense order at enterprises with low production potential, but directly affecting the country's defense capability, ensured production stability and the ability to develop and manufacture new products.
"MIC": The most successful projects of the Russian aviation industry in the field of export are fighters of the Su-30 and Mig-29 families. Meanwhile, foreign-made avionics are increasingly being installed on them. Can this negatively affect the performance of a combat mission in a real battle?
- I can report that none of the devices of foreign production is installed on a combat aircraft without testing in specialized Russian laboratories. Installation of foreign devices is carried out by domestic design bureaus to meet the high requirements specified in tactical and technical tasks. Knowing the results of the checks being conducted, I can say that import avionics cannot be the cause of the disruption of combat missions. At least so far no such facts have been identified.
"MIC": If the re-equipment of the fleet of combat aircraft and helicopters is more or less clear, then the situation with the supply of military transport aircraft, alas, does not inspire optimism. Please tell us more about the delivery schedules of the An-140-100 transport aircraft from the Samara Aviakor plant, Il-76MD-90А, and An-124-100 Ruslan.
- An-140-100 is a civilian short-haul passenger aircraft, its purchase is necessary to replace obsolete An-26 aircraft that are still in service. An-140-100 purchased under a long-term contract, in 2014, the Air Force will already have 11 of such aircraft. At the same time, the Ministry of Defense of Russia, up to 2020, has planned all the necessary measures aimed at modernizing and building up the existing fleet of military transport aircraft of the types Il-76, An-124, and creating and purchasing light and medium military transport aircraft. At present, a long-term state contract has been concluded for the supply of more than 30 Il-76MD-90А planes, with the rate of two aircraft per year being upgraded to An-124 in the An-124-100 version.
"MIC": How would you assess the professional level of training of flight personnel to work on a new technology? How much has it decreased since the reduction of the Armed Forces in 2009 – 2012? What measures is the chief of the Air Force taking to improve the situation?
- The professional level of training of flight personnel of the Air Force is sufficient for the development of the incoming new aircraft. Organizing staffing in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation did not affect the quality of the training of flight personnel and the development of new aviation technology. The chief command of the Air Force continues the planned work on the development of the incoming new aircraft and certain tasks are carried out based on the tasks. In particular, curricula, teaching materials, qualification requirements for aviation specialists are adjusted, modern technical training tools are supplied (simulators, educational computer classes, interactive training systems for new types of airplanes and helicopters), and changes are made to the system of advanced training aviation personnel, course training.
"MIC": The combat potential of the Air Force is largely determined by the state of the network of aerodromes. Much of them were built in the middle of the last century and require repairs. What are the plans of the High Command of the Air Force to build new and reconstruct old airfields?
- In 2013, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation approved the prospective composition of the airfield network of the Air Force. Taking into account the wear of the airfield pavements before 2020, measures have been planned for the repair and reconstruction of existing airfields. At the same time, work to bring them up to airworthiness standards has been actively carried out since 2010, both by forces of the specialized units of the Air Force and by outside organizations. Every year, work to restore GDP and coverage is carried out simultaneously at more than 15 airfields.
"MIC": And the last question. Which areas in the field of military aircraft are recognized as priorities, will they change before the 2020 year?
- The development of military aviation in general is a priority in the construction of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. At the same time, the State Armaments Program up to 2020 of the year provides for the nomenclature positions of aviation technology and aviation weapons of destruction, which directly affect the combat effectiveness of all aircraft branches. Their supplies are under the control of the country's president, the government and the Ministry of Defense.
Viktor Nikolaevich Bondarev. 7 was born on December 1959 of the year in the village of Novo-Bogoroditskoye, Petropavlovsk District, Voronezh Region. He graduated from the Borisoglebsk Higher Military Aviation School for Pilots (1981), the Yury Gagarin Air Force Academy (1992), the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (2004).
He served as an instructor pilot, senior instructor pilot, flight commander, deputy commander and squadron commander of the training aviation regiment of the Barnaul Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots, senior navigator of the regiment, air squadron of the training aviation regimental aviation regimen of the aviation center of the regiment, commander of the air squadron of the air force training regiment of the aviation regiment of the aviation regiment, senior aviation officer of the air regiment of the aviation regimental aviation regiment of the aviation regiment, chief aviation officer of the regiment, air force squadron of the aviation aviation training center, senior aviation officer of the regiment, air force squadron of the aviation aviation training center, senior aviation officer of the regiment, air force squadron of the aviation aviation training center, senior aviation officer of the regiment, air force squadron of the aviation aviation training center a separate assault air regiment of the air army, deputy commander, commander of a separate assault air regiment of the air army, deputy Itel commander and commander of the mixed aviation division (Voronezh region), deputy commander and commander of the army of the Air Force and Air Defense (Novosibirsk), deputy commander-in-chief of the air force, chief of the General staff - first deputy commander-in-chief of the air force.
In 2012, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force.
He was awarded the Golden Star of the Hero of Russia (2000), the Order "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree (1984), Courage (1995), and other state awards.
Married He has two sons.
He served as an instructor pilot, senior instructor pilot, flight commander, deputy commander and squadron commander of the training aviation regiment of the Barnaul Higher Military Aviation School of Pilots, senior navigator of the regiment, air squadron of the training aviation regimental aviation regimen of the aviation center of the regiment, commander of the air squadron of the air force training regiment of the aviation regiment of the aviation regiment, senior aviation officer of the air regiment of the aviation regimental aviation regiment of the aviation regiment, chief aviation officer of the regiment, air force squadron of the aviation aviation training center, senior aviation officer of the regiment, air force squadron of the aviation aviation training center, senior aviation officer of the regiment, air force squadron of the aviation aviation training center, senior aviation officer of the regiment, air force squadron of the aviation aviation training center a separate assault air regiment of the air army, deputy commander, commander of a separate assault air regiment of the air army, deputy Itel commander and commander of the mixed aviation division (Voronezh region), deputy commander and commander of the army of the Air Force and Air Defense (Novosibirsk), deputy commander-in-chief of the air force, chief of the General staff - first deputy commander-in-chief of the air force.
In 2012, he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force.
He was awarded the Golden Star of the Hero of Russia (2000), the Order "For Service to the Motherland in the Armed Forces of the USSR" III degree (1984), Courage (1995), and other state awards.
Married He has two sons.
Information