Is the Russian AF showing signs of age?
Thread Starter
Is the Russian AF showing signs of age?
Thought about posting this in the F-35 discussion, but maybe it would be better to have a separate one:
The Russian Air Force is falling out of the sky
What do you guys think?
The Russian Air Force is falling out of the sky
What do you guys think?
I've no doubt there is some validity to the article, but I would suggest that an ageing fleet of aircraft is not just a Russian problem, more of a global one:
Aging Array of American Aircraft Attracting Attention
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/...ce-dying-10391
Before anyone gets precious, this was not intended as an "anti American" comment, but rather the most obvious comparison....
Aging Array of American Aircraft Attracting Attention
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/...ce-dying-10391
Before anyone gets precious, this was not intended as an "anti American" comment, but rather the most obvious comparison....
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Well, The West won the Cold War largely with money [and some determination in the face of Soviet sabre-ratting].
I suspect that, despite current fiscal and manning issues [and a lack of determination by some NATO 'partners'] we could probably win this round as well.
Some political and cultural issues may also be on 'our' side.
I suspect that, despite current fiscal and manning issues [and a lack of determination by some NATO 'partners'] we could probably win this round as well.
Some political and cultural issues may also be on 'our' side.
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Is the Russian AF showing signs of age?
MP11
I think it is a wrong to call the End of Cold War as "won".
That creates more problems for "winners"
PS
Cold war ended that way not due to "West Army" Wining
but due to the fact of Eastern side people falling victims of Western Paradise Propaganda
that they could see themselves every year visiting Yugoslavia a "capitalist state" in their opinion.
PS
Now Yugoslavia is no more and if you try to use Ukraine as next paradise as a bait for Russians....
Well Good Luck !
I think it is a wrong to call the End of Cold War as "won".
That creates more problems for "winners"
PS
Cold war ended that way not due to "West Army" Wining
but due to the fact of Eastern side people falling victims of Western Paradise Propaganda
that they could see themselves every year visiting Yugoslavia a "capitalist state" in their opinion.
PS
Now Yugoslavia is no more and if you try to use Ukraine as next paradise as a bait for Russians....
Well Good Luck !
I don't think it's beyond the realm of possibilities to say the Kremlin monitors social media along with Internet sites in an attempt to influence opinion.
There's a few members here on pprune that may fall into that category.
Not that the west doesn't monitor as well, given the air strike on isis based on info gained from a chatty online jihadi.
There's a few members here on pprune that may fall into that category.
Not that the west doesn't monitor as well, given the air strike on isis based on info gained from a chatty online jihadi.
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There is a general paranoia in present day Russia which stems from the days of the Soviet Republic of the threat to the security of their country from the hated West. A construct which we all know to be baseless. However, this thread was bound to be seen as another cog in western propaganda.
Time to call in the glorious leader to protect the Rodina Mat.
Time to call in the glorious leader to protect the Rodina Mat.
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How to Defeat Putin’s Internet Trolls
If you’ve spent any substantial time on a social networking site, you’ve likely encountered an anonymous troll. They may mock something you’ve said, or a photo of yourself or others that you’ve shared.
Either way, a troll’s purpose is inherently ethereal—its raison d’кtre can be shattered by the click of a “block” button.
They have gained a great deal of ground in one country: Russia. Here, the troll as an agent of information warfare on behalf of the state has garnered a great deal of attention since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. If recent revelations are any indication, the well-oiled, Kremlin-sponsored troll machine has no intentions of closing up shop anytime soon.
Either way, a troll’s purpose is inherently ethereal—its raison d’кtre can be shattered by the click of a “block” button.
They have gained a great deal of ground in one country: Russia. Here, the troll as an agent of information warfare on behalf of the state has garnered a great deal of attention since Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. If recent revelations are any indication, the well-oiled, Kremlin-sponsored troll machine has no intentions of closing up shop anytime soon.
Savchuk told me she shared an office with about a half-dozen teammates. It was smaller than most, because she worked in the elite Special Projects department. While other workers churned out blandly pro-Kremlin comments, her department created appealing online characters who were supposed to stand out from the horde. Savchuk posed as three of these creations, running a blog for each one on LiveJournal. One alter ego was a fortuneteller named Cantadora. The spirit world offered Cantadora insight into relationships, weight loss, feng shui — and, occasionally, geopolitics. Energies she discerned in the universe invariably showed that its arc bent toward Russia. She foretold glory for Vladimir Putin, defeat for Barack Obama and Petro Poroshenko. The point was to weave propaganda seamlessly into what appeared to be the nonpolitical musings of an everyday person. In fact, she was a troll.
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When the germans opened up the IGB to free travel, I rented a local plated car and took a drive across to the east for a couple of days. Almost everything Russian I saw was FUBAR and it had me wondering about all of our own intelligence briefs regarding the "might of the Soviet Armed Forces"
Now I find myself travelling often around Russia, and what I see, parked on the military side of airports or docked in port is also FUBAR. The boats are listing, the subs are leaking and Bears look to be in totally ****e order (personally wouldn't relish a long range oceanic mission in one of them).
The multi billion dollar military re-build programme will go the same way as all the other state funded programmes have gone, in to the pockets of corrupt politicians, oligarchs and sundry middle men. It certainly won't improve capability in any significant way.
However, thats what worries me. Vladimir Vladimirovich and his cronies know that there will be no easy retirement from power. The immunity from prosecution given to Yeltsin and his cronies in return for a seat at the table for VV Putin, will not be so easily coming for him. His retirement option is jail or death, so he will be clinging on to power with everything he has rather than face any alternative (as happened in Ukraine). He would rather see death than jail, and if that means taking everyone else with him, then so be it.
Given those circumstances, what do you resort to if your conventional forces are not effective..... ??
I'll leave you all to fill in the obvious gap
Now I find myself travelling often around Russia, and what I see, parked on the military side of airports or docked in port is also FUBAR. The boats are listing, the subs are leaking and Bears look to be in totally ****e order (personally wouldn't relish a long range oceanic mission in one of them).
The multi billion dollar military re-build programme will go the same way as all the other state funded programmes have gone, in to the pockets of corrupt politicians, oligarchs and sundry middle men. It certainly won't improve capability in any significant way.
However, thats what worries me. Vladimir Vladimirovich and his cronies know that there will be no easy retirement from power. The immunity from prosecution given to Yeltsin and his cronies in return for a seat at the table for VV Putin, will not be so easily coming for him. His retirement option is jail or death, so he will be clinging on to power with everything he has rather than face any alternative (as happened in Ukraine). He would rather see death than jail, and if that means taking everyone else with him, then so be it.
Given those circumstances, what do you resort to if your conventional forces are not effective..... ??
I'll leave you all to fill in the obvious gap
Almost everything Russian I saw was FUBAR and it had me wondering about all of our own intelligence briefs regarding the "might of the Soviet Armed Forces"
"Mildly" Eccentric Stardriver
Back in 2004 I flew a chartered airliner into Murmansk. Bear in mind, this is some fifteen years since the collapse of Communism. First off, we were parked a long way from the terminal. Our passports were confiscated, although we were only there for a quick turnround. There was an armed guard at the bottom of the steps, and the crew were only allowed to do the walkround if accompanied by a political officer. Once the passengers were boarded, the said political officer then returned our passports. Nice free country you live in, Green Guard.
I have been away from service for a long time and confess to being out of touch with the latest Russian Orbat, but any of their military aircrew I ever met in the past always seemed to be a bit long in the tooth.
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Is the Russian AF showing signs of age?
Bigbux
Thanks. You made me looong lough.
If I were a fortune teller I would have to look at your palms.
Why so much mistrust hate and unhappiness ?
I suppose you are a pilot too.
Whats wrong ?
Salary position duty times or
perhaps
too much boring off time in Teterboro Airport ?
PS
I like Honda Africa Twin1200
And also Honda Transalp
Thanks. You made me looong lough.
If I were a fortune teller I would have to look at your palms.
Why so much mistrust hate and unhappiness ?
I suppose you are a pilot too.
Whats wrong ?
Salary position duty times or
perhaps
too much boring off time in Teterboro Airport ?
PS
I like Honda Africa Twin1200
And also Honda Transalp
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Russian Events
Some years ago I was in a helicopter crash on the kola. Fortunately the machine was built in Russia so bouncing down the strip shedding bits did not cause it to fall apart. Lesson one, old does not equal rubbish or frailty.
We were rather near a nuclear submarine base in an closed area so rescue took 8 hours. Lesson 2 much of Russia is very isolated and even the military are scared of breaking the rules
After a period in intensive care I was moved to a private ward in Murmansk hospital which was in poor physical shape but the care I experienced was superb. Item I never waited more that ten seconds when asking for water. item not one person passed my bed in intensive care without asking if I wanted anything.item the food was simple but nutrient full and the diet was selected from a group of ingredients selected for my personal needs so lots of white meat simple bread and no butter. I was having many injections per day, in the competition with my nurse if I could feel it I won if not she did mostly she won. The KGB man was very polite he just wanted rid of me
NEVER underestimate the courage hard work and kindness of individual ruskies I never will
We were rather near a nuclear submarine base in an closed area so rescue took 8 hours. Lesson 2 much of Russia is very isolated and even the military are scared of breaking the rules
After a period in intensive care I was moved to a private ward in Murmansk hospital which was in poor physical shape but the care I experienced was superb. Item I never waited more that ten seconds when asking for water. item not one person passed my bed in intensive care without asking if I wanted anything.item the food was simple but nutrient full and the diet was selected from a group of ingredients selected for my personal needs so lots of white meat simple bread and no butter. I was having many injections per day, in the competition with my nurse if I could feel it I won if not she did mostly she won. The KGB man was very polite he just wanted rid of me
NEVER underestimate the courage hard work and kindness of individual ruskies I never will
Another Tu-95MS Bear H has crashed. Initial reports state that the crew got out.
Интерфакс-Агентство Военных Новостей
Tu-95 crashed near Khabarovsk
07/14/2015 11:06:23
Moscow. July 14th. Interfax-AVN - Tu-95MS bombers crashed when performing routine training flight 80 km from Khabarovsk at 09:50 Moscow time, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.
"The crew left the aircraft. The flight was carried out without ammunition", - the report says press control Service and Information Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, which was received by the "Interfax-AVN" on Tuesday.
It is noted that "the plane crashed in an uninhabited area on the ground destructions."
This is not the first incident with the aircraft of this type in recent years. June 9 this year, a strategic missile-carrier bomber Tu-95 skidded off the runway in the Amur region on Monday during a routine training flights at the airport "Ukrainka".
The incident resulted in the death of one crew member, the others received injuries of varying severity.
07/14/2015 11:06:23
Moscow. July 14th. Interfax-AVN - Tu-95MS bombers crashed when performing routine training flight 80 km from Khabarovsk at 09:50 Moscow time, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.
"The crew left the aircraft. The flight was carried out without ammunition", - the report says press control Service and Information Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation, which was received by the "Interfax-AVN" on Tuesday.
It is noted that "the plane crashed in an uninhabited area on the ground destructions."
This is not the first incident with the aircraft of this type in recent years. June 9 this year, a strategic missile-carrier bomber Tu-95 skidded off the runway in the Amur region on Monday during a routine training flights at the airport "Ukrainka".
The incident resulted in the death of one crew member, the others received injuries of varying severity.
Интерфакс-Агентство Военных Новостей
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Op Tempo, Sustainment Flaws Hit Russian Air Force
.......The poor state of Russia's defense industry is also contributing to the state of Russia's aircraft fleet, said Vadim Kozyulin, a military expert at the Moscow-based PIR Center think tank.
"These old aircraft require a lot of maintenance, and the spare parts currently in stock are old," Kozyulin said, noting that when it comes to maintenance personnel, the older ones are experienced while the younger ones are not qualified. "Many manufacturers of military components went bankrupt, converted to civilian production, or were left abroad — like in Ukraine — after the Soviet collapse," Kozyulin said. "Large numbers of existing producers of military components do not have military quality control inspectors on site to ensure the quality of components, as was done in Soviet times."
Sanctions from Western countries are having an impact in that regard, Schwartz said, as many of the high-end components that would help keep the fleets in top shape are no longer available to Putin's government. "They've been especially dependent on electronic components from abroad," Schwartz said. "With sanctions taking effect that reduce their ability to purchase some of the components they use in their aircraft, they have to look for substitutes or look to buy from intermediaries."..........
The Russian Air Force was also forced to ground its fleet of 61 Tu-95 "Bear" long-range strategic bombers temporarily last month after an engine fire during takeoff led one to run off its runway during takeoff from the Ukrainka Air Base in Russia's Far East.
The Bears are Soviet-era staples that form the mainstay of Russia's strategic bomber force. The planes have been spotted repeatedly buzzing along the fringes of NATO airspace over the past year. However, their engines are old and a modernization program is progressing at a snail's pace. There is, for example, a production bottleneck in engines for the Tu-95s. Russia can only produce about 10 Bear engines a year for a fleet of over 60 of the four-engined airplanes........
.......The poor state of Russia's defense industry is also contributing to the state of Russia's aircraft fleet, said Vadim Kozyulin, a military expert at the Moscow-based PIR Center think tank.
"These old aircraft require a lot of maintenance, and the spare parts currently in stock are old," Kozyulin said, noting that when it comes to maintenance personnel, the older ones are experienced while the younger ones are not qualified. "Many manufacturers of military components went bankrupt, converted to civilian production, or were left abroad — like in Ukraine — after the Soviet collapse," Kozyulin said. "Large numbers of existing producers of military components do not have military quality control inspectors on site to ensure the quality of components, as was done in Soviet times."
Sanctions from Western countries are having an impact in that regard, Schwartz said, as many of the high-end components that would help keep the fleets in top shape are no longer available to Putin's government. "They've been especially dependent on electronic components from abroad," Schwartz said. "With sanctions taking effect that reduce their ability to purchase some of the components they use in their aircraft, they have to look for substitutes or look to buy from intermediaries."..........
The Russian Air Force was also forced to ground its fleet of 61 Tu-95 "Bear" long-range strategic bombers temporarily last month after an engine fire during takeoff led one to run off its runway during takeoff from the Ukrainka Air Base in Russia's Far East.
The Bears are Soviet-era staples that form the mainstay of Russia's strategic bomber force. The planes have been spotted repeatedly buzzing along the fringes of NATO airspace over the past year. However, their engines are old and a modernization program is progressing at a snail's pace. There is, for example, a production bottleneck in engines for the Tu-95s. Russia can only produce about 10 Bear engines a year for a fleet of over 60 of the four-engined airplanes........
Another Tu-95MS Bear H has crashed. Initial reports state that the crew got out.
Tu-95MS bombers crashed when performing routine training flight 80 km from Khabarovsk at 09:50 Moscow time, the Russian Defense Ministry informs.
"These old aircraft require a lot of maintenance, and the spare parts
currently in stock are old," Kozyulin said ..
currently in stock are old," Kozyulin said ..
As someone noted above, money is behind a lot of this. The old teaching point when I was instructing novice Navy pilots:
Instructor: "What makes the aircraft fly?"
Student: "Lift, which we generate based on airspeed ... "
Instructor (pulls a dollar bill out of flight suit pocket, drops the fill and watches it float to the floor) "Without money, the aircraft doesn't fly."
(Winks or grins at student).
Last edited by Lonewolf_50; 14th Jul 2015 at 15:56.