However, if the East German airforce was top-of-the-range standard Russian first line equipment, why was it then really hurled in the bin?
What about the spares, the personnel, the bases?
Mainly it was a political decision, but I’m under the impression things like obtaining spares (at all!) were contributing factors. AFAIK, at that time it was REALLY difficult dealing with the Russian manufacturers regarding spares. You just did not ring the usual contact at Mikoyan for a bunch of engines at the usual price and had them delivered the usual amount of time later at your doorstep.
Also for the Bundeswehr as part of NATO it was much more logical and reliable to go the consistent way and use mainly the usual equipment from your usual suppliers.
Shame about the Mi-24 though. They would habe made good CSAR-helicopters …
About the personnel and the bases: Well, due to the lack of the potential aggressor from the east, there was no need to maintain even the size of the existing Bundeswehr. And now think of the influx of an entire second armed force. So away with it – and who cares? Merging two states turned out to be expensive enough (and still is).
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