The Russian Naval Aviation (
RussianRussian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
: Авиация Военно-морского флота России - Aviatsiya Voenno-morskogo Flota Rossii) (formerly the
Soviet Naval AviationSoviet Naval Aviation was a part of the Soviet Navy.- Origins :...
), is the air arm of the
Russian Navy. The Russian Navy is divided into four fleets and one flotilla:
Northern FleetThe Red Banner Northern Fleet is a unit of the Russian Navy that has access to the Barents and Norwegian Seas, the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, and is responsible for the defense of northwestern Russia. It was established in 1937 as part of the Soviet Navy...
, Pacific Ocean Fleet,
Baltic FleetThe Twice Red Banner Baltic Fleet - is the Russian Navy's presence in the Baltic Sea. In previous historical periods, it has been part of the navy of Imperial Russia and later the Soviet Union. The Fleet gained the 'Twice Red Banner' appellation during the Soviet period, indicating two awards of...
,
Black Sea FleetThe Black Sea Fleet is a large operational-strategic sub-unit of the Russian Navy, operating in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea since the late 18th century. It is based in various harbors of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov....
, and
Caspian FlotillaThe Caspian Flotilla is the oldest Russian military flotilla, stationed in the Caspian Sea. It was awarded the Order of the Red Banner in 1945.-Establishment:...
.
The air forces of the most important fleets, the Northern and Pacific fleets, operate Tu-22M3 Backfire-C supersonic missile carriers, long range Tu-142 Bear-F
anti-submarine warfareAnti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
aircraft and Il-38 May medium range ASW aircraft. The relatively small fleets, the Baltic and Black Sea, currently have only tactical
Su-24 Fencer C/DThe Sukhoi Su-24 is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union. This variable-sweep wing, twin-engined two-seater carried the USSR's first integrated digital navigation/attack system...
bombers and ASW helicopters in service. The small
Caspian FlotillaThe Caspian Flotilla is the oldest Russian military flotilla, stationed in the Caspian Sea. It was awarded the Order of the Red Banner in 1945.-Establishment:...
operates An-26 and
Mi-8The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
transports, Ka-27PS rescue helicopters, as well as some Ka-29 and Mi-24 armed helicopters. In 2008, the Russian Navy Deputy Commander for Aviation and Air Defense/Chief of Naval Aviation and Air Defense Forces of the Navy is
Major GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
(NA&ADF) Viktor Viktorovich Popov.
Components
The Russian Naval Aviation consists of the following components:
- Naval missile-carrying aviation;
- Shore-based ASW
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
aviation;
- Attack (Shturmovik) Aviation;
- Shore-based fighter
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
aviation;
- Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
aviation;
- Shipborne aviation (fighters and ASW aircraft);
- Auxiliary air units.
Structure
This is the structure of the Russian Naval Aviation, as reproduced from the August 2007 issue of the
Air Forces MonthlyAir Forces Monthly is a military aviation magazine published by Key Publishing, based in Stamford, United Kingdom.Sister publications include Air International, Air Enthusiast, Airliner World, Airports International, FlyPast and Today's Pilot.-External links:*http://www.airforcesmonthly.co.uk/* via...
.
Northern Fleet Air Force - HQ
SeveromorskSeveromorsk is a closed town in Murmansk Oblast, Russia, located about north of Murmansk along the Kola Bay. Population: This is the main administrative base of the Russian Northern Fleet. Severomorsk has the largest drydock on the Kola Peninsula....
- 924th Separate Maritime Reconnaissance Aviation Regiment - HQ at Olenegorsk/Olenya - Tu-22M3;
- 279th Shipborne Fighter Aviation Regiment - HQ at Severomorsk-3
Severomorsk-3 is a naval air base in Murmansk Oblast, Russia located 28 km east of Murmansk...
- Su-25UTG, Su-33;
- 73rd Independent Air Squadron - HQ at Kipelovo (Fedotovo) - Tu-142MK, Tu-142MR;
- 403rd Separate Mixed Aviation Regiment - HQ at Severomorsk-1
Severomorsk-1 is a naval air base in Murmansk Oblast, Russia located 4 km south of Severomorsk. It one of the largest airfields on the Kola Peninsula, second only to Olenya...
- An-12, An-26, Il-38, Tu-134;
- 830th Separate Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Regiment - HQ at Severomorsk-1
Severomorsk-1 is a naval air base in Murmansk Oblast, Russia located 4 km south of Severomorsk. It one of the largest airfields on the Kola Peninsula, second only to Olenya...
- Ka-27;
Pacific Fleet Air Force - HQ
VladivostokThe city is located in the southern extremity of Muravyov-Amursky Peninsula, which is about 30 km long and approximately 12 km wide.The highest point is Mount Kholodilnik, the height of which is 257 m...
- 568th Independent Composite Aviation Regiment - HQ at Mongokhto - operating Tu-22M3, Tu-142MR/MZ;
- 865th Interceptor Aviation Regiment - HQ at Yelizovo
Yelizovo is a town in Kamchatka Krai, Russia, located on the Avacha River northwest of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Population: Founded in 1848 as the village of Stary Ostrog , it was renamed Zavoyko in 1897, after the Russian admiral Vasily Zavoyko who led the defense of Petropavlovsk in 1854....
-Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky AirportYelizovo Airport is an airport located in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Kamchatka Krai, Russia. Its runway is long enough to accommodate a fully loaded Boeing 747 aircraft...
- MiG-31;
- 317th Composite Air Regiment - HQ at Yelizovo - Tu-142;
- 71st Independent Military Transport Air Squadron - HQ at Nikolayevka, Primorskaya - An-12, An-24, An-26;
- 175th Independent Shipborne Anti-submarine Helicopter Squadron - HQ at Yelizovo - Ka-27;
- 289th Independent Anti-submarine Air Regiment - HQ at Nikolayevka - Il-38, Ka-27, Ka-29;
Baltic Fleet Air Force - HQ
KaliningradKaliningrad is a seaport and the administrative center of Kaliningrad Oblast, the Russian exclave between Poland and Lithuania on the Baltic Sea...
- 689th Independent Fighter Aviation Regiment - Kaliningrad Chkalovsk
Kaliningrad Chkalovsk is a naval air base in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia located 9 km northwest of Kaliningrad. Most instances in Russian aviation literature of Chkalovsk or Chkalovskoye refer specifically to this large airfield...
- operating Su-27;
- 4th Independent Naval Assault Aviation Regiment - Chernyakhovsk Air Base
Chernyakhovsk – – is a naval air base located 4 km southwest of the city of Chernyakhovsk in the Kaliningrad Oblast of Russia...
- operating Su-24M/MR;
- 125th Independent Helicopter Squadron - HQ at Chkalovsk - operating Mi-8, Mi-24;
- 396th Independent Shipborne Anti-Submarine Helicopter Squadron - Donskoye Air Base
Donskoye is an air base in Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, located 1 km east of Donskoye . It is a very old airfield probably dating back to World War II, nearly at Russia's most extreme western point. The facility contains 25 aircraft pads, and appears to be in a severe state of decay...
- Ka-27/PS, Ka-29;
- 398th Independent Air Transport Squadron - HQ at Khrabrovo - An-2, An-12, An-24, An-26, Be-12
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Yefim Gordon, Andrey Sal'nikov and Aleksandr Zablotskiy Beriev's Jet Flying Boats. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-236-5...
, Mi-8The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
.
Black Sea Fleet Air Arm - HQ
SevastopolSevastopol is a city on rights of administrative division of Ukraine, located on the Black Sea coast of the Crimea peninsula. It has a population of 342,451 . Sevastopol is the second largest port in Ukraine, after the Port of Odessa....
(status in 2010)
- 25th Independent Anti-submarine Helicopter Regiment - HQ at Kacha
Kacha may refer to:*Kacha , an urban-type settlement in Crimea, Ukraine*Kacha , a mythological sage in Hinduism*Kacha Bira, one of the 77 woredas in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region of Ethiopia...
, Crimea - ~20 helicopters of types Ka-27 and Mi-14|-See also:-External links:******...
- 917th Independent Composite Air Regiment - HQ at Kacha
Kacha may refer to:*Kacha , an urban-type settlement in Crimea, Ukraine*Kacha , a mythological sage in Hinduism*Kacha Bira, one of the 77 woredas in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Region of Ethiopia...
, Crimea - ~10x Antonov transport aircraft of types An-2, An-12 and An-26; 4x Be-12|-See also:-Bibliography:* Yefim Gordon, Andrey Sal'nikov and Aleksandr Zablotskiy Beriev's Jet Flying Boats. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-236-5...
; ~10x Mi-8The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
- 43rd Independent Naval Shturmovik (Assault) Air Squadron - HQ at Gvardeyskoye, Crimea - 18x Su-24M
The Sukhoi Su-24 is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union. This variable-sweep wing, twin-engined two-seater carried the USSR's first integrated digital navigation/attack system...
; 4x Su-24MRThe Sukhoi Su-24 is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union. This variable-sweep wing, twin-engined two-seater carried the USSR's first integrated digital navigation/attack system...
;
As a result of the
2008 Russian military reformSignificant reforms of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation were announced in October 2008 under Defence Minister Anatoliy Serdyukov, and major structural reorganisation began in 2009...
, the units of the Russian Naval Aviation were reorganized into 13 new Naval Air Bases. Each new naval air base consists of an HQ, support units and one or more aviation groups/wings (the former air bases). In a second stage, the air bases were merged into territorially integrated structures. Only the 279th Regiment retained its status. The planned transfer of Naval Aviation assets (Su-24, Su-27, Tu-22M3, MiG-31) to the
Air ForceThe Russian Air Force is the air force of Russian Military. It is currently under the command of Colonel General Aleksandr Zelin. The Russian Navy has its own air arm, the Russian Naval Aviation, which is the former Soviet Aviatsiya Voyenno Morskogo Flota , or AV-MF).The Air Force was formed from...
has so far not been implemented, howeverdue to their importance to the service.
Aircraft inventory
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" |
Fighter AircraftA fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
|-----
|
Sukhoi Su-27 FlankerThe Sukhoi Su-27 is a twin-engine supermanoeuverable fighter aircraft designed by Sukhoi. It was intended as a direct competitor for the large United States fourth generation fighters, with range, heavy armament, sophisticated avionics and high manoeuvrability...
|
|
fighterA fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
| Su-27
| 88
|
|-----
|
Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker-СThe Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat military aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions.The Su-30 started out as an internal development project in the Sukhoi Su-27 family...
|
|
multirole fighterA fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
| Su-30SM
|
| 12 ordered for Black Sea Fleet (replace of Su-24)
|-----
|
Sukhoi Su-33 Flanker-DThe Sukhoi Su-33 is an all-weather carrier-based air defence fighter designed by Sukhoi and manufactured by KnAAPO. It is a derivative of the Su-27 "Flanker" and was initially known as the Su-27K. The aircraft was first used in operations in 1995, aboard the carrier Admiral Kuznetsov...
|
|
fighterA fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
| Su-33
| 23
| designed for service on the Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov
|-----
|
Mikoyan MiG-31 FoxhoundThe Mikoyan MiG-31 is a supersonic interceptor aircraft developed to replace the MiG-25 "Foxbat". The MiG-31 was designed by the Mikoyan design bureau based on the MiG-25.-Development:...
|
|
interceptorAn interceptor aircraft is a type of fighter aircraft designed specifically to prevent missions of enemy aircraft, particularly bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. Interceptors generally rely on high speed and powerful armament in order to complete their mission as quickly as possible and set up...
| MiG-31
| 30
|
|-----
|
Mikoyan MiG-29K Fulcrum-DThe Mikoyan MiG-29K is an all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft developed by the Mikoyan design bureau. The MiG-29K was developed in the late 1980s from MiG-29M....
|
|
fighterA fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
| MiG-29K
| 0
| 24 ordered in Jan 2010; first delivery of 2 MiGs expected in 2011
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Bomber Aircraft
|-----
|
Sukhoi Su-24 FencerThe Sukhoi Su-24 is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union. This variable-sweep wing, twin-engined two-seater carried the USSR's first integrated digital navigation/attack system...
|
| attack
| Su-24M
| 58
| planned modernization to reach M2 level.
|-----
|
Su-25 FrogfootThe Sukhoi Su-25 is a single-seat, twin-engine jet aircraft developed in the Soviet Union by the Sukhoi Design Bureau. It was designed to provide close air support for the Soviet Ground Forces. The first prototype made its maiden flight on 22 February 1975...
|
| attack
| Su-25UBP/UTG
| 14
| 8 UBPs and 6 UTGs - used for training pilots to fly the Su-33 fighter.
|-----
|
Tupolev Tu-22M BackfireThe Tupolev Tu-22M is a supersonic, swing-wing, long-range strategic and maritime strike bomber developed by the Soviet Union. Significant numbers remain in service with the Russian Air Force....
|
| strategic bomber
| Tu-22M3
| 88
| 35 operational with the Northern Fleet and 15 operational with the Pacific Fleet.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" |
ASW AircraftAnti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
|-----
|
Tupolev Tu-142 Bear-FThe Tupolev Tu-142 is a maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft derived from the Tu-95 turboprop strategic bomber. A specialised communications variant designated Tu-142MR was tasked with long-range communications duties with Soviet ballistic missile submarines...
|
| long range
ASWAnti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
| Tu-142MK/MZ
| 16
| 8 MKs in the Northern Fleet and 8 MZs in the Pacific Fleet.
|-----
|
Il-38 May|-See also:-References:*Lake, Jon. "Russia's Submarine Killer: Ilyushin IL-38 May". Air International, February 2005, Vol 68 No.2. Stamford, UK:Key Publishing. pp. 30–36....
|
| medium range
ASWAnti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
| Il-38
| 26
| 11 in service with the Northern Fleet, 15 with the Pacific Fleet.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" |
ReconnaissanceReconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
|-----
|
Sukhoi Su-24MR FencerThe Sukhoi Su-24 is a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft developed in the Soviet Union. This variable-sweep wing, twin-engined two-seater carried the USSR's first integrated digital navigation/attack system...
|
|
reconnaissanceReconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
| Su-24MR
| 20
|
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Rescue hydroplane with ASW capability
|-----
|
Beriev Be-12|-See also:-Bibliography:* Yefim Gordon, Andrey Sal'nikov and Aleksandr Zablotskiy Beriev's Jet Flying Boats. Hinckley, UK: Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-236-5...
|
| rescue hydroplane
| Be-12
| 9
| Probably will be replaced by
Beriev A-40This article is about the amphibious jet. For Soviet tank airlift project, see Antonov A-40.This article is about the amphibious jet. For Soviet tank airlift project, see Antonov A-40.This article is about the amphibious jet...
. Not ordered for this time.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" |
Attack HelicopterAn attack helicopter is a military helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles...
|-----
|
Mil Mi-24 HindThe Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...
|
|
attack helicopterAn attack helicopter is a military helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles...
| Mi-24
| 20
|
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport Helicopter
|-----
|
Mil Mi-8 HipThe Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
|
| transport helicopter
| Mi-8
| 35
|
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" |
ASW HelicopterAnti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
|-----
|
Kamov Ka-27 Helix|-See also:-External links:*...
|
|
ASWAnti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
helicopter
| Ka-27/29/32
| 88
| 72 used for ASW, while the rest of 16 used for transport.
|-----
|
Mil Mi-14 Haze|-See also:-External links:******...
|
|
ASWAnti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
Helicopter
| Mi-14
| 9
| 5 used for search-and-rescue, while the other 4 are used for ASW.
Naval Air Arm
- Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
of the UK
- United States Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
of the USA
- Aviation navale
French Naval Aviation of the French Navy includes 206 aircraft and 6,800 men, both civilians and military personnel. They operate from six airbases, five of them in Metropolitan France and one overseas....
of France
- Indian Naval Air Arm
The Indian Naval Air Arm is part of the Indian Navy which is tasked to provide an aircraft carrier based strike capability, fleet air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-submarine warfare. To undertake these tasks, the Indian Navy employs an aircraft carrier and a variety of manned and...
- People's Liberation Army Naval Air Force
The People's Liberation Army Navy Air Force is the naval aviation branch of the People's Liberation Army Navy of the People's Republic of China.-Mission:Primary Mission* Provide fleet air defense for PLAN surface combatants...
of China