Russian Air Force: best warplanes, helicopters and airlifters

Day of the Air Force is celebrated in Russia on August 12

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The Sukhoi Su-27 is a twin-engine supermaneuverable fighter aircraft. It's the Su-27 that is used by Russia's major aerobatic teams: Sokoly Rossii (Falcons of Russia) and Russkiye Vityazi (Russian Knights)

The Sukhoi Su-30 is a two-seat multirole fighter. The Su-30 started out as an internal development project in the Sukhoi Su-27 family

Carrier aircraft must be sturdy enough to withstand demanding carrier operations. They must be able to launch in a short distance and be sturdy and very flexible to stop on a pitching deck. The Sukhoi Su-33 is the main jet of Russia's naval aviation

Sukhoi Su-35 is a 4++ generation single-seat multirole fighter. When the plane was shown at Le Bourge in 2013 it was called 'Show Stopper' as all work stopped when the Su-35 rocketed into the sky

The Sukhoi T-50 is a fifth-generation fighter. The aircraft is the first in Russia's Air Force to use stealth technology

The Sukhoi Su-24 is a supersonic atack jet. The plane has a variable geometry wing with four sweep settings

The Sukhoi Su-25 was designed to provide close air support to ground forces. It has been in service for over 30 years

The Sukhoi Su-34 is a twin-seat fighter-bomber intended for high-precision strikes, including strikes with nuclear weapons, on land and sea targets

The Mikoyan MiG-29 is, along with the larger Sukhoi Su-27, one of the most used aircraft in the Russian Air Force

The Mikoyan MiG-31 is a supersonic interceptor aircraft has a maximum speed of 3000 km/h and can fly on the altitudes of up to 20 kilometers

The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a 4++ generation jet fighter. At present, MiG-35 is regarded as a transitional stage to the fifth generation fighter

The Yakovlev Yak-130 is the only jet trainer and attack aircraft in the russian Air Force. The Yak-130 is able to replicate the characteristics of several 4+ generation fighters as well as the fifth-generation Sukhoi PAK FA

The Mil Mi-8 is the main helicopter of the Russian Air Force. It's is among the world's most-produced helicopters

The Mil Mi-24 large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter. The machine holds the world record of helicopter speed at 368,4 km/h

Multirole Mi-35M attack helicopter is a comprehensive modernisation of the Mi-24V. It is operated by the Armed Forces of Russia, Venezuela, Brazil and Azerbaijan

Russian heavy transport helicopter Mil Mi-26 is sometimes called 'flying cow' because it's the largest and most powerful helicopter ever to have gone into production

Mi-28N anti-armor attack helicopter is called Night Hunter. It is designed to carry out search and destroy operations against tanks, armoured vehicles, enemy personnel in combat and low-speed airborne target

Kamov Ka-52 "Alligator" attack helicopter. The machine has a distinctive coaxial rotor system of the Kamov design bureau

The Tupolev Tu-160 supersonic strategic bomber was given the nickname of "White Swan". It's the largest supersonic aircraft in the world

Tupolev Tu-95 is a large, turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform. It is the only propeller-powered strategic bomber still in operational use today

The Beriev A-50 is the only Russian airborne early warning aircraft

Ilyushin Il-76 is a multi-purpose strategic airlifter designed for delivering heavy machinery to remote, poorly served areas

Antonov An-12 transport aircraft became very popular with cargo operators. This airlifter is operated by a crew of five or six men. The aircraft entered into service in 1959 and its production ceased in 1973