Russian Air Force

OK, another carry over….

Under F-14 vs MiG-31, there is a fierce discussion about the condition of the Russian AF, its pilots, their training, Russian tactics etc.

On one side, there are statements, that the condition of the Russian AF is terrible, and that pilots (and crews) don’t fly enough even to remain current with their aircraft, not to talk about their capabilities to use these aircraft efficiently in any sort of combat.

Torpedo posted a link to a finnish report (http://www.sci.fi/~fta/ruaf.htm or and follow the links
http://www.sci.fi/~fta/index.htm)
which explains some very sad facts.

Many different people counter this, foremost by remainding about better capabilities or Russian weapons and aircraft. Some even say that the “level of pilot vs. pilot is irrelevant”, because Russian “pilot simply has the better aircraft”.

Well, where is the truth? Can better aircraft equalize the inferiority and lack of training? What are the actual condition and the capabilities of the Russian AF, compared to NATO and other air forces?