RuAF in 2003

"Michael Petukhov" wrote

Mikhailov said the Su-27SM contains the best avionics and has new
air-to-surface capabilities as well as all-weather and nighttime
strike capabilities. He added that the Su-27SM was an interim fighter
for use before a fifth-generation model developed by Sukhoi joins its
ranks in the next decade.

So just now you're getting an 'interim fighter'. That you'll be using for
the next 15(?) years.

"It lacks in stealth and does not have the weapons that will have to
be fitted on the fifth-generation fighter," he said.

No comment needed.

Defense plants have been rolling out jets mostly for foreign customers,
and
those planes are superior to those in the Russian air force.

Selling off your best stuff?

Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov blasted the air force, saying
that "none of the air regiments comply 100 percent with the
requirements of constant combat readiness due to poor training and the
poor technical maintenance of aircraft."

Interesting.


Although the average number of flight hours for pilots was doubled to
40 last year,

40 per month, or 40 per year?

Pete