15-brigade army aviation

15-Brigade of the Army of the Russian Federation Air Force stationed at the airport island in the Pskov region. Although this division of the Russian army has been created recently, it has managed to cause a big stir among the neighbors, as well as in some Western European countries.

The Baltic countries, by tradition, sharply react to perturbations in the Russian army, if such occur close to their own borders. This time, Poland, the Czech Republic and even the media in Britain and Germany supported Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.  

- What is so excited about the West?

- Helicopters.

The 15th Army Aviation Brigade is the first helicopter formation of such a scale in the history of independent Russia. Located right next to NATO countries, it is also equipped with the latest technology. The unit's combat strength recently included about ten completely new Mi-28N and Mi-35M machines, and a dozen of the latest Ka-52s. In December 2013, we bought a new military transport helicopter Mi-26. Apparently, this is not the limit. 15-brigade army aviation actively developing the transport-combat helicopters Mi-8AMTSH-in. There is interest in the light of US helicopters OH-58 «Kiowa" and the French "Fennec." These models are designed for reconnaissance, "highlighting" the purpose of attack helicopters; if necessary, will themselves be able to hit the target.

15-brigade army aviation

If until recently at the Ostrov airfield there was only a training center for training aviation personnel of the Russian navy, today a huge helicopter unit has suddenly been formed there.

Not only that: the tactical and technical characteristics of the latest helicopters make it possible to easily and unimpededly deliver unexpected strikes against airfields and other strategic targets of the enemy. The difficult passability of this region has long been known: there are many forest and marshy areas. And the advantages of a military helicopter brigade are undeniable. Helicopters are capable of flying at extremely low altitudes, including difficult weather conditions and at night. With their help, you can unnoticeably land troops. Serial Ka-52, Mi-28N, Mi-35M and Mi-8AMTSh are now equipped with night vision devices for pilots, there are also thermal imagers, optoelectronic equipment. Modern radars on board help to “see” the difficult terrain.

If we consider that in the Baltic countries, there is still no adequate system of air defense, and there is no single radar field, it falls under attack base in Siauliai, which NATO fighter aircraft are permanently stationed.