Russian Air Force to Have Permanent Detachment in Belorussia

摘要

A permanent Russian Air Force detachment is to be set up in 2015 at Bobruisk airfield in Belorussia to be used for Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) duties. It will comprise a squadron of fighter-interceptors -12 single-seat Su-27s and a pair of two-seater Su-27UBs, as well as a helicopter flight of four Mi-8s provided by the Russian Army Aviation service. Russia's defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, announced the plan on October 29. No dates have been specified for the deployment, but they will remain in Belorussia permanently. The other Russian Air Force unit tasked with QRA abroad is the 3624th Aviation Base at Erebni airfield in Armenia, which has a squadron of 18 MiG-29s. In addition, until the end of the year, it will be strengthened with a squadron of 18 Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters.