If you're interested in the size of Russia's military, then you've come to the right place. Learn more about the Russian Army size, their number of battalions and how many aircraft they own. We'll also show you the structure of the Russian Armed Forces and what they are made up.
Russian armed forces
Although the Russian armed forces may be one million strong, they are actually much smaller. As of 2016, the Russian armed forces were at seventy percent of their full strength. These numbers could drop to 75% by 2022. There are currently around 168 battalion tactical groups, consisting of eight hundred to a thousand soldiers and officers. That is well below the 168,000 Russian armed forces that are considered combat capable. A further 100 000 reserve personnel are available.
Structure of its armed forces
Russia's military forces consist of a number of different units and groups. Among these are special forces and operational-strategic associations. These latter are commanded by a regular command structure, while the former consist of lower-level associations. Each of these associations is assigned a specific function and are organized into strategic territorial associations, military districts and armies.
Each battalion has a certain number of troops
The Kremlin required that each federal area create a four thousand-man battalion. It also created volunteer battalions to help supplement the army’s manpower. The volunteers will be trained for two to four weeks before they are sent to the front lines. Volunteers must be between the ages of 18 and 60, and have cleared all criminal records. Volunteers who serve in the army will be eligible for veteran status, which is good for the rest of your life. They also get a monthly paycheck.
Aircraft count
Russia's aircraft fleet is small in terms of size compared to other countries. An example is a fighter jet that has a larger inventory than a training aircraft. But, Russia's total fleet of aircraft gives an indication of its airborne defense capabilities.
Numerous helicopters
Recently, the Russian military increased its budget to purchase more aircraft. The Russian military has 440 new aircraft between 2009 and 2020. It also owns hundreds of helicopters and more than 200 drones. These new additions are designed to improve the Russian military's capability in the air.
Nuclear arsenal
The Russian nuclear arsenal includes both strategic and tactical weapons. Russia has a wide range of non-strategic nuclear weapons, including missiles capable carrying nuclear warheads of up to 100 kilotons. These weapons, often called Iskander M (short-range ballistic missiles), have been shown to be extremely effective against conventional forces. The Iskander-M's range is 480 kilometers, or about three-quarters to Kiev.