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Russian Air Force aircraft fitness to reach 80% by yearend — defense ministry

Meanwhile, a whole series of incidents have occurred with Russian military aircraft lately

MOSCOW, July 31. /TASS/. Aircraft fitness in the Russian Air Force will reach 80% for the first time ever by the end of this year, a spokesman for Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Friday.

"The fitness rate of military equipment and armaments is 98% in the Army. The defense minister has set the task to have this rate at the level of no less than 80% in the Air Force by the end of this year. This has never been before," the spokesman said.

"This decision was first made for long-range aviation and then for all aviation forces," the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, a whole series of incidents have occurred with Russian military aircraft lately.

Technical failures were among the major causes for these incidents. Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said last week the breakdown incidence in military aviation continued to be a major problem.