Warplanes of the Russian Air Force

Special Report

Published: February 24, 2024 11:30 am

This week will mark the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. What was originally believed to be a conflict that would last a fairly short time has become a war of attrition, and while Ukraine has managed to recapture 54% of its territory, Russia still commands a stronghold in 18% of the region. According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the war has transitioned to an active stalemate, with regular shelling and skirmishes occurring along frontlines separating Russian- and Ukrainian-controlled eastern border regions.

The conflict is set to move into its third year and there is speculation that President Vladimir Putin will stand by and wait for Western support of Ukraine to diminish while keeping up Russia’s military presence on the front lines. This has its disadvantages as the war is draining Russia’s military and economic resources. Although Putin has indicated that he would like to negotiate and put an end to the fighting, he won’t relinquish regions they currently occupy – regions such as Crimea, parts of Donetsk, Kherson, the newly captured Avdiivka, and others.

A vital component of Russia’s military prowess is its Air Force, which possesses a diverse and expansive array of aircraft tailored for distinct roles and capabilities. Despite the difficulties encountered following the Soviet Union’s dissolution, the Russian Air Force has upheld its operational efficiency and consistently updated its aircraft inventory.

The Russian Air Force boasts an extensive and varied fleet of aircraft designed for specific roles and capabilities. Despite the challenges faced after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Air Force has maintained its operational effectiveness and continually modernized its aircraft inventory. (Also read: The World’s 13 Fastest Fighter Jets)

24/7 Wall St. referenced the 2023 report World Air Forces from FlightGlobal, an aviation and aerospace industry website to identify all of the warplanes in the Russian Air Force. Aircraft were ranked here by the number of units in active service. We excluded combat helicopters and trainer aircraft from this list. Supplemental data regarding the type of aircraft, how many units are in active service, and how many are on order came from FlightGlobal. Data on each aircraft’s first flight came from various military and historical sources.

Combat aircraft, with multi-role and specialized platforms, are indispensable to the Russian Air Force’s strategic vision. The Sukhoi Su-27 and its derivatives, the Su-30, and Su-35, are the primary air superiority fighters in the inventory. The Su-27, a competent and maneuverable aircraft, has proven its efficiency in various operations since its introduction in the 1980s.

Another set of essential combat aircraft in the Russian Air Force are the MiG-29 and MiG-35, serving in various roles that include air policing, interception, and ground attack. Both aircraft are known for their maneuverability and speed. To compare, here are the most expensive planes in the U.S. Air Force.

Apart from fighter and attack aircraft, the Russian Air Force also has strategic and tactical transport as well as aerial refueling. The Ilyushin Il-76 and Antonov An-124 are heavy-lift transport planes that perform strategic airlift, while the Ilyushin Il-78 offers air-to-air refueling for long-range missions.

Rounding out Russia’s fleet are its long-range bombers like the Tupolev Tu-95, Tu-160, and Tu-22M, which are integral to Russia’s nuclear deterrence and strike capabilities. These bombers are capable of carrying nuclear and conventional cruise missiles, ensuring Russia’s ability to project power across vast distances.

The Russian Air Force boasts a diverse array of active aircraft and is known as one of the strongest in the world by sheer numbers, capable of maintaining strategic balance domestically and abroad.

Here are the warplanes of the Russian Air Force.