I think we need a general thread in the forum, so here it goes, like the ground forces + exports one.

http://lenta.ru/news/2012/04/27/zelin/

Zelin fired!

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?99988-Russian-Photos-%28updated-on-regular-basis%29&p=6147954&viewfull=1#post6147954

Bunch of photos from TOrzhok, too lazy to repost, you guys can navigate it I am sure, but isn't that Vympel rapelling from the Mi-8?

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has sacked Russian Air Force Commander, Colonel-General Alexander Zelin and dismissed him from military service, the Kremlin said on Friday.

Zelin, 59, has occupied the top military post for five years, during which the air force has begun to receive new aircraft and equipment in significant numbers for the first time since the end of the Soviet Union.

“To the observer Zelin appeared to preside over a period where air force procurement and plans became more planted in reality than merely in aspirations,” said Douglas Barrie, an air warfare analyst at the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies.

No reason was given for the dismissal but senior military commanders in Russia usually retire at age 60.

Igor Korotchenko, chairman of Defense Ministry’s Public Council said that the reshuffle was a normal practice for military officials.

“Medevedev’s move will give the road to new, younger military specialists,” Korotchenko said, adding an experienced commander Zelin would likely move on to a top post in a defense industrial holding or corporation.

http://www.en.ria.ru/mlitary_news/20120427/173084185.html



Former Air Force Commander Col.-Gen. Alexander Zelin will take up the post of an adviser to the Russian defense minister on the development of the Air Force, the Defense Ministry reported on Friday.

“Colonel-General Alexander Zelin voluntarily resigned due to a transfer to civil service in the capacity of an aide (adviser) to the defense minister of the Russian Federation,” the ministry said.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday dismissed Zelin from the post of Air Force Commander and from military service.

Zelin, 59, occupied the top military post for five years, during which the Air Force began to receive new aircraft and equipment in significant numbers for the first time since the end of the Soviet Union.

“To the observer Zelin appeared to preside over a period where air force procurement and plans became more planted in reality than merely in aspirations,” said Douglas Barrie, an air warfare analyst at the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies.

Senior military commanders in Russia usually retire at age 60.

Igor Korotchenko, chairman of Defense Ministry’s Public Council said that the reshuffle was a normal practice for military officials.

“Medvedev’s move will give the road to new, younger military specialists,” Korotchenko said, adding experienced commander Zelin would likely move on to a top post in a defense industrial holding or corporation.

http://www.en.ria.ru/mlitary_news/20120427/173099987.html

I find the bold part hard to believe...

The mention of freeing up the position for younger men suggests to me that he was resisting change and got pushed....

http://russianplanes.net/ID74940

WOW!
What a photo!

All 3 of the new attack helos in the VVS, the Mi-28N, Ka-52 and Mi-24BM, in the air, in the new camo.

TR1 wrote:http://russianplanes.net/ID74940

WOW!
What a photo!

All 3 of the new attack helos in the VVS, the Mi-28N, Ka-52 and Mi-24BM, in the air, in the new camo.

I have to say the hinds look great in the new camo.

Nice.

Excellent, nice mix of new helicopters.

http://www.rus-helicopters.ru/en/

Russian Helicopters site much better than UAC's

Russian Plans New Aerospace University

Russia is planning a new aerospace university to produce a new generation of professionals for the aviation and space industries, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Saturday.

"We have plans connected with the creation of a modern aerospace university, where we will produce a broad range of specialists, for aviation, and also the rocket and space industries," he said during a visit to the Khrunichev rocket factory north of Moscow.

Rogozin invited specialists from the center to "join the team" for a visit to the Zhukovsky flight research airfield on May 18, where the plan will be discussed.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120505/173241883.html

The Fullback with two incendiary tanks ZB-500ShM.

Under the cockpit, photo equipment?

No, IRST. Retractable.


http://uploads.ru/i/a/d/V/adVXG.jpg

Nice pic of 4 Ansat-Us, handed over earlier this year, in grey.

TR1 wrote:No, IRST. Retractable.


http://uploads.ru/i/a/d/V/adVXG.jpg

Nice pic of 4 Ansat-Us, handed over earlier this year, in grey.

Νice helos. Why russian air force must buy french utility helicopters. Ansat can do this job

The excuse usually given is that they need them for Sochi in 2014 and the Russian models can't be built and cleared for service in time...

I think if they put the money up the Russian helos would be ready and do a better job too.