RUSSIAN AIR FORCE

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26441, 7 June 1951, Page 7

RUSSIAN AIR FORCE

R.A.F. Assessment Of Strength (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, June 6. A feature article on the Russian Air Force in the “Royal Air Force Review” estimates that the Russians have 19,000 aircraft, about half of which are fighters, and suggests that within another year Russia will be able to add another 10,000 front-line fighters and bombers of jet design to Its air fleet. “Western intelligence experts believe that Russia will be able to put 30.000 warplanes into the air In another 12 months.

“Tbe current all-out effort Is concentrated on the M.I.G. 15 which has used Korea as a proving ground, the Lavochkin 17, and a twin-engined high-speed bomber patterned on the British twin-jet Canberra light bomber. “The M.I.G. 15, however, becomes a back number with the recent advent of the Lavochkin, a tube-like singleengined fighter with an appearance which indicates that the Russians are now pinning faith in a sweep-back design and a high tail plane. “It is significant, also, that as yet the Russian designers don’t appear to be thinking in terms of a twin-jet for fighter and fighter-bomber operations. Features of this new aircraft are the thinness of its main planes." The review said that Russia had about 7000 bombers of all types. Subtracting these and fighters from the force of 19.000 planes would leave the Russians with about 2500 transports, reconnaissance and training planes. “The Russian air fleet is divided into four air forces, each able to operate independently of the other. “For operational purposes these air formations are known as the Fighter Defence Force, the Tactical Air Force, the Long-Range Air Force, and the Naval Air Force. "All are controlled jointly by the Ministries of War and of the Navy. “Russia has not an Air Ministry, an Air Council or an Air Staff in the accepted sense. “Her counterpart to a Chief of the Air Staff is Marshal of Aviation but the operational control and function of the air forces come under individual army commanders.” The “Mr Force Revi“w” claims that the Fighter Defence Force, bas”d mainly in the west, is und°r th” command of Lieutenant - General Vasili Stalin. Marshal Stalin's son. Russia is also believed to have more than 150,000 trained parachutists available.