This volume launches a new series of three books from Harpia Publishing about Russian air power. The first two volumes present all types of military aircraft currently operated by Russia, their purpose, features and characteristics. The third volume will be devoted to the Russian air arms, their evolution after 1991, use in armed conflicts, structure and assets, as well as the Russian aviation industry.

The first volume presents fighters and ground-attack aircraft, uncrewed aircraft, as well as training aircraft.

Production of the fifth-generation Su-57 fighter is ramping up slowly and only a few examples are in service. The ‘generation 4+’ Su-30, Su-34 and Su-35 multirole fighters, derivatives of the Soviet Su-27, remain the backbone of Russia’s tactical aviation. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, veteran Su-25 attack aircraft have been used extensively. An interesting development concerns the MiG-31 interceptor, which now also serves as a sub-strategic strike aircraft and satellite interceptor. Work on Russia’s next-generation combat aircraft, including the Su-75 lightweight fighter and the MiG-41 heavy interceptor, is also described.

Russia’s large uncrewed aircraft are at an early stage of development. The Orion, the Russian equivalent of the MQ-1 Predator, has only recently entered service. The jet-powered Okhotnik UCAV is in the prototype testing stage, as is the propeller-driven Altius, a high-altitude long-endurance UAV. Only the Forpost (based on the Israeli Searcher) reconnaissance drone and the Orlan series of small UAVs are produced in significant numbers in Russia. A novelty is the Lancet loitering munition.

Russia’s military trainers comprise a mix of newly produced Russian Yak-130, Austrian DA42T and Czech L-410UVP aircraft, as well as old Soviet-era L-39Cs, An-26s, Tu-134s and others. Meanwhile, a programme to create a modern basic trainer is hindered by the lack of a suitable engine.

Along with the aircraft, this first volume presents the most important types of weapons used by them: tactical precision-guided munitions, air-to-air missiles, as well freefall bombs and unguided rockets.

Describing the bomber force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is a unique task. Compared to recent Chinese fighters, much less has been published on the development of its offensive types. Until now, scant information has been generally available, despite the multiple versions of the current Xi’an H-6 bomber now in service and the wide variety of roles in which it serves.
It is well known that China has dramatically strengthened the power-projection and area-denial capabilities of its air and naval arms in recent years. However, the PLA still operates a fairly low percentage of offensive types. Above all, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) still lacks a true expeditionary force to project power far from its borders, including strategic bomber capabilities. Today’s small but still-capable bomber fleet operates as a kind of ‘silver bullet’ force, to strike targets at longer ranges than the PLAAF’s regular assets, but it is in no way a strategic branch. However, that is only the case today and, with the fast pace of developments in Chinese aerospace, some changes are expected in this regard, too.
Observers and enthusiasts alike have long speculated about when a new long-range bomber will appear and what it will look like. The still-secret H-20 will provide a long-overdue replacement for the H-6 fleet. Most likely, it will be the PLAAF’s first true strategic bomber and will offer stealth capabilities.
This book examines the historical side of the story to understand why the PLA still lacks a proper strategic bomber force and looks at the different types that have been used up until today. In the process, it sheds light on how the PLAAF has managed to find innovative interim solutions to address its much-needed long-range strike capabilities.