Air University Review, July-August 1981

Soviet Aerospace Forces — A Survey

Dr. William E. Kelly

The Soviet Union has become one of the world’s most powerful nations in a relatively short period of time. This is due in large part to the Soviet Air Force. For those who would like a basic analysis of its role and structure, the Soviet Aerospace Handbook* is a good beginning.

*M.O. Norby, editor, Soviet Aerospace Handbook (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1978), 222 pages.

After a brief introduction concerning the Soviet challenge and a call for an awareness of the Soviet military apparatus, Chapter 2 considers the organization of the Soviet Armed Forces. An awareness of the structural differences between the Soviet military apparatus and of the Western countries soon becomes apparent. For example, unlike the traditional organization of the United States military into land, sea, and air forces, the Soviet Armed Forces consist of five distinct services: the Strategic Missile Forces, Ground Forces, National Air Defense Forces, Air Force, and the Navy.

The Strategic Missile Forces constitute the most important service to the Soviet military and in some respects are comparable to the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command. The Ground Forces are identified as being numerically second only to the Army of the People’s Republic of China. The National Air Defense Forces are responsible for the strategic defense of the Soviet Union and represent one of the most modern air defense systems in the world. The Soviet Air Force is divided into three separate components, and it has the responsibility for providing tactical support to the Ground Forces, strategic bombing operations, and military airlift support. The Soviet Navy directs all naval forces and is committed to a strategic mission, upgrading its capability for waging general war and projecting Soviet naval power and influence abroad.

Chapter 3, "Soviet Aerospace Forces," deals with the Soviet Air Force, Strategic Missile Forces, National Air Defense Forces, Soviet Naval Aviation, and the Soviet Space Program. It is in this chapter that the Strategic Missile Forces are identified as the preeminent military service. However, the Soviets have not neglected other components for maximum potential use.

The Soviet Air Force has been delegated the responsibility of carrying out independent operations as well as support missions in conjunction with other branches of the armed forces. It consists of three components: Frontal Aviation, Long-Range Aviation, and Military Transport Aviation. The primary mission of Frontal Aviation is to provide tactical air support. Strategic air defense is a secondary mission. Long-Range Aviation has as its primary mission intercontinental and peripheral strike operations. It is noted that use of the strategic bomber force could follow an initial missile strike against the enemy, or it could be used in conjunction with a missile strike in the performance of a retaliatory blow following an attack on the Soviet Union. Military Transport Aviation is primarily responsible for the transportation of men and materiel during warfare activity or in cases of crisis. For example, the Soviets made use of this command when they airlifted troops and materiel from Cuba to Angola in 1976, demonstrating their capability to bring needed resources over long distances in a short period of time.

Soviet aerospace doctrine is the subject of Chapter 4. Reference is made to the characteristics, capabilities, and employment principles associated with Soviet aerospace forces. In addition, the basic objectives of Soviet military power are identified for the reader. These objectives include: defending the U.S.S.R. against attack, ensuring favorable international conditions for the building of socialism and communism, ensuring reliable defense and security for the entire socialist camp, and providing support to national liberation movements. It is also projected that there will be an increase in the scope and variety of responsibility of the Soviet Air Force because of new technological advances.

Chapter 5, "Selected Readings on Soviet Military Affairs," might prove beneficial to a student who is interested in further study of the Soviet Armed Forces. An abundance of Western sources concerning the Soviet Union is identified for the reader. Soviet sources printed in English are suggested as other sources. In addition, reference is made to Western journals dealing with Soviet affairs, such as Problems of Communism, Russian Review, and the Slavic Review.

Chapter 6, "Soviet Military Resources," is divided into two main parts: Soviet personnel and Soviet spending. It is noted that 80 percent of the males between the age of 15 and 49 are considered fit for military service. (p. 129) Obviously, this represents a large pool of individuals who potentially may render service to the Soviet Armed Forces. The United States, by contrast, has less than one-half the military strength of that found in the Soviet Union. Since the Soviets hide most of their budgetary accounts for various reasons, it is difficult to ascertain their precise military expenditures. It is noted that although the United States allocates only 6 percent of its gross national product to military expenditures, the Soviets allocate between 13 and 15 percent. (p. 133)

Chapter 7, "Life in the Soviet Air Force," may be the most interesting chapter in the book because it gives the opportunity to compare a U.S. Air Force officer’s life-style with that of his counterpart in the Soviet Union. The Soviet officer is well motivated for a variety of reasons. He enjoys privileges extended to only the favorite sons of the regime. The Soviet officer also enjoys precedence over the average citizen in normal, everyday undertakings. However, despite all the privileges enjoyed by a Soviet officer, his life is much more difficult than that of his Western counterpart, and his standard of living is significantly lower than that of a U.S. officer. His success will depend on professional capabilities, loyalty to the party, and attendance at professional military academies.

The work concludes with a list of biographies of Soviet military leaders, which identifies their position, past military record, and educational background. It appears, though, that the value of this chapter will become more limited with the passage of time since so many of these military leaders seem to be reaching retirement age. The chapter does, however, have value in that the reader may be able to ascertain some possible characteristics that appear to enhance an individual’s rise in the Soviet military structure, for example, prior wartime experience and membership in the Communist party.

This work is what it purports to be—namely, a "handbook." It lacks the depth and degree of analysis characteristic of a more scholarly enterprise. Yet, for the novice, it does fulfill its purpose: ". . . to provide basic information on the Soviet Armed Forces—and particularly the Soviet aerospace forces—in order to promote a greater awareness of the Soviet military and its capabilities." (p. 3) However, for more detailed analysis, the reader must look elsewhere and consult other sources.

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