Support The Moscow Times!

Army to Get 180 New Aircraft by End of Year

A Russian military helicopter flies above fields near Kamensk-Shakhtinsky in Rostov Region, Russia. Alexander Demianchuk / Reuters

The Russian Air Force will add at least 180 new planes and helicopters to its fleet by the end of 2014, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday, RIA Novosti reported.

Russia is busy modernizing its entire military, and the aircraft deliveries are just one part of a massive $700 billion modernization drive through 2020.

"The armed forces are actively introducing modern aviation. This year alone, the forces will have received more than 230 aircraft," Shoigu said.

Fifty the new aircraft have already entered into service this year, he said.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more