#20 - RW 12-10-04 - RW Home
FORMER COMMANDER: "THERE ARE NO AIR DEFENSE FORCES IN RUSSIA"

MOSCOW, Dec 9 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's air defense forces, which are part of the Air Force, have marked the 90th anniversary of their establishment. The air defense forces are actively used to patch holes in the country's air defenses that have appeared over the past decade and attempts are now being made to restore the comprehensive radar shield which existed in Soviet times, Vremya Novostei writes.

Particular hopes are being pinned on the new S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile system, which will come into operation as early as next year. It will also be used as part of non-strategic missile defenses. At the same time, it corresponds to the air defense concept that the Defense Ministry board adopted and is currently being finalized. However, it will take at least five to seven years to establish the air defense system.

Colonel General (Ret.) Vladimir Litvinov, a former first deputy commander-in-chief of the Russian air defense forces, believes "there are no air defense forces in Russia now."

"In the past, there was a radar and radio-technical reconnaissance system, anti-aircraft missile fire, fighter-aviation cover, and a system of command posts from a regiment to the main command," he says. "The order was received in less than a minute. This structure must be restored. Before, we had strike groups in the main areas, while we could build up available forces in the other areas. However, at present, we do not have the forces or means to build them up: combat equipment has become obsolete, and officers have left service."

In the general's opinion, the position of at least the commander of the air defense forces should have been left intact during the reforms.

General of the Army Anatoly Kornukov, a former commander-in-chief of the air defense forces, is even more critical. He thinks that the modern means of air defense can intercept only every fifth missile targeting the capital. Moreover, two thirds of the country's strategic facilities on a list approved by the president are unprotected from the air, he said. Some of the dozens of facilities that pose chemical and radiation hazards in the capital have also been left defenseless.