This overview details the modern aerial combat capabilities of the Russian Air Force (VKS) projected for 2025, with a particular focus on the Russian Fighter Aircraft Inventory. As of the latest updates, the service actively operates a total of 3,677 aircraft units. This analysis, based on publicly available information compiled by the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA.org) as of December 30, 2024, covers attack, logistics, special-mission, and general support aircraft categories. Note that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are not currently tracked due to reporting discrepancies.
Overall Russian Air Force Capability (2025)
The Russian Air Force maintains a substantial fleet, though actual operational capability depends on readiness rates. WDMMA provides estimates based on standard USAF benchmarks:
- Total Airframes: 3,677
- Available Aircraft (Estimated Readiness):
- 50.0% Rate: 1,839 units
- 70.0% Rate: 2,574 units
- 75.0% Rate: 2,758 units
- 80.0% Rate: 2,942 units
Force Concentration:
The inventory is broadly divided into:
- Combat/Attack: 1,320 units
- General Support: 2,095 units
- Pilot/Crew Training: 262 units
- Future Procurement: 395 units
Strategic Assessment:
- TruVal Rating (TVR): 114.2 (This rating assesses strengths/weaknesses against the top performer, USAF, rated at 242.9).
- Global Rank: 3rd out of 129 national air services tracked by WDMMA.
- Primary Suppliers: Russia (and former Soviet Union), with minor contributions from France, Austria, Ukraine, and Czechoslovakia (historical).
Russian Fighter Aircraft Inventory
Fighters, interceptors, and multirole strike aircraft constitute approximately 27% of the total Russian Air Force strength, representing a core component of its offensive and defensive capabilities. The procurement outlook for this category is rated as POSITIVE.
- Su-24M/MR Strike: 273 Units
- Su-34M Strike: 163 Units
- MiG-31BM Interceptor: 129 Units
- Su-35S Multirole: 114 Units
- Su-30SM Multirole: 91 Units
- MiG-29/UB Fighter: 70 Units
- Su-27SM Multirole: 47 Units
- Su-57 Multirole: 25 Units
- Su-27SM3 Multirole: 24 Units
- Su-30M2 Multirole: 19 Units
- Su-27UB Multirole: 18 Units
- Su-27 Air Superiority: 12 Units
- MiG-29SMT Fighter: 15 Units
- MiG-29UBT Fighter: 2 Units
- MiG-35S/UB Multirole: 6 Units
Strategic Bomber Force
Dedicated strategic bombers make up about 3% of the total inventory. These aircraft are designed for long-range payload delivery. The outlook for this category is POSITIVE, indicating ongoing modernization or acquisition.
- Tu-22M/M3/M3M Strategic: 58 Units
- Tu-95MS/MSM Maritime Patrol/Attack: 47 Units
- Tu-160M Strategic: 15 Units
Close-Air Support (CAS) Assets
Aircraft specialized for supporting ground forces constitute roughly 5% of the fleet. The procurement outlook for CAS aircraft is currently STABLE.
- Su-25/UB/BM/SM Close-Air Support: 192 Units
Helicopter Fleet
Rotary-wing aircraft represent the largest single component, comprising approximately 42% of the total inventory. They fulfill transport, attack, utility, and special mission roles. The outlook for helicopters is POSITIVE.
- Mi-8MTPR-1 Transport/Gunship: 788 Units
- Mi-24V/P Gunship/Transport: 328 Units
- Ka-52 Attack: 137 Units
- Mi-28A/N/NM Attack: 112 Units
- Ansat Light Utility: 50 Units
- Mi-26 Heavy-Lift: 44 Units
- Mi-2 Light Utility: 43 Units
- Ka-226 Utility: 36 Units
- Ka-27 Anti-Submarine Warfare: 6 Units
- SA355 Light Utility: 5 Units
- Mi-38 Medium Utility: 2 Units
Transport Aircraft
Fixed-wing transport aircraft, used for hauling personnel, cargo, and supplies, account for about 13% of the force. This category has a POSITIVE outlook.
- IL-76M/MD/MF Strategic: 120 Units
- An-26 Tactical: 116 Units
- An-12 Tactical: 59 Units
- L-410 Utility: 53 Units
- Tu-134 VIP/Transport: 43 Units
- An-72 Tactical: 31 Units
- An-148 Strategic: 15 Units
- IL-62 VIP/Transport: 8 Units
- An-124 Strategic: 4 Units
- An-140 Utility: 4 Units
- An-22 Strategic: 3 Units
- IL-18 Utility: 3 Units
- Tu-154 VIP/Airliner: 3 Units
Training Aircraft
Approximately 7% of the inventory consists of aircraft used for pilot training, ranging from basic flight trainers to advanced jet trainers. The outlook is POSITIVE.
- L-39 Advanced Jet Trainer: 118 Units
- Yak-130 Advanced Jet Trainer: 109 Units
- DA42T Flight Trainer: 35 Units
Aerial Refueling Capabilities
A small but crucial segment (around 1% of total) provides aerial refueling support. The outlook for tanker aircraft is POSITIVE.
- IL-78 Aerial Refueling: 20 Units
Special-Mission Platforms
Aircraft modified or built for specialized roles like Airborne Early Warning (AEW), reconnaissance, and Electronic Warfare (EW) make up about 2% of the fleet. The outlook here is STABLE.
- IL-20/22 ELINT: 24 Units
- An-30 Reconnaissance: 15 Units
- A-50/100 Airborne Early Warning: 14 Units
- IL-80 Airborne Command Post: 3 Units
- Tu-214R Reconnaissance: 2 Units
- Tu-214ON Command & Control: 2 Units
- Tu-214PU Command & Control: 2 Units
Future Procurements & Orders
Russia has a significant number of aircraft on order, indicating ongoing modernization and fleet replacement plans across various categories.
- Mi-28 Attack Helo: 105 Units
- Su-57 Multirole: 76 Units
- Tu-160 Strat.Bomber: 50 Units
- Su-34M Strike: 40 Units
- MiG-29SMT Multirole: 35 Units
- Su-35S Multirole: 30 Units
- Yak-130 Advanced Jet Trainer: 25 Units
- IL-76 Strategic Transport: 19 Units
- IL-78 Strategic Tanker: 10 Units
- L-410 Utility: 2 Units
- Mi-38 Med.Util.Helo: 2 Units
- An-124 Strat.Transp: 1 Units
Related Air Arms
In addition to the Air Force (VKS), Russia maintains separate aviation assets within its Navy.
Russian Naval Aviation Sukhoi Su-24 Fencer variable-sweep wing strike aircraft parked on tarmac
Conclusion
The Russian Air Force in 2025 possesses a large and varied aircraft inventory totaling 3,677 units, ranking it among the world’s most powerful air arms. The Russian Fighter Aircraft Inventory, alongside a substantial helicopter fleet, forms the backbone of its combat power. Significant numbers of transport, bomber, and special-mission aircraft supplement these core assets. Ongoing procurement programs, particularly for advanced fighters like the Su-57, strike aircraft like the Su-34M, and strategic bombers like the Tu-160M, signal a continued commitment to modernizing its aerial capabilities, although operational strength remains dependent on actual readiness rates.
