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Russia has combined its Air Force and Air Defence force to create a new Aerospace Force. Source: PA
Russia has activated the Aerospace Forces as a new branch of its military, the Russian Ministry of Defence announced on 3 August.
The Aerospace Forces (VKS) has been formed by the merger of the Russian Air Force (VVS) and the Russian Aerospace Defence Forces (VKO).
Speaking during a teleconference, Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu stated that "joining the Air Forces and Aerospace Defence is the best option to improve the system of aerospace defence of the country", as reported by Russia's TASS news agency.
The service branch is formally known as the Aerospace Forces of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. It is divided into three sub-branches: air force; air and missile defence missile troops; space forces. The VVS and RKO were formally merged together to form the VKS on 1 August.
The VKO will be responsible for providing airborne protection of the country; to be able to defeat opposed forces using both conventional and nuclear weapons; to provide aviation support for the other armed services; protect against ballistic missiles; provide early warning; launch military and dual-use satellites; maintain military satellites; and monitor, identify, and protect Russia from space threats.
Shoigu added that this would have three benefits, "this allows you first of all to concentrate in the hands of all responsibility for the formation of the military-technical policy for the development of the troops, [which is] the decisive task in the aerospace sector; secondly (due to tighter integration) to increase the effectiveness of their application; and third [to] ensure the progressive development of the aerospace defence of the country".
Colonel General Victor Bondarev, formerly the commander of the VVS has been appointed as commander of the Aerospace Forces. Lieutenant General Pavel Kurachenko has been appointed as First Deputy Commander, while the former commander of the VKO (Lieutenant General Alexander Golovko) has been appointed as Deputy Chief of the Aerospace Forces.
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Russia creates new Aerospace Force service branch - IHS Jane's 360
