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Russian Air Force Cuts 50,000 Officers
The Russian Air Force plans to eliminate all its divisions and regiments and form airbases in their place. It will also reduce its officer staff by 50,000 Interfax reports. In the next three years, 55 airbases will be set up based on squadrons. The rank of ensign will be eliminated and a number of service and management functions will be converted to civilian status. The first changes will go into effect on December 1.
According to plans, the Russian Air Force in 2012 will consist of a strategic-tactical command, a strategic air command armed with nuclear weapons, a military-transport air command and four air defense and antimissile commands. In addition, the corps and divisions of the air defense will be reorganized into air-and-space defense brigades and the antiaircraft missile brigades will be reorganized into antiaircraft missile regiments.
Support structures will be organized as well. In place of nine vehicular brigades, 20 battalions on constant alert with fewer personnel will be formed. They will be used to transport supplies to the forces. Defense Minister Anatoly Serdyukov announced reforms in the Russian military in October, which are frequently called the most radical in post-Soviet history in the press. Besides reducing the officer staff, the reforms are aimed at bring the Russian military up to “world standards.”
www.kommersant.com
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Photo: Mikhail Razuvaev
