Russian air power : 21st century aircraft, weapons and strategy / Yefim Gordon and Alan Dawes.

Includes index.

This book deals with the current state of the Russian Air Force, explaining its structure and Order of Battle in the light of recent reorganisations. There are chapters dealing with the Strategic Bomber Force, the Military Airlift Command, the Tactical Arm, the Naval Air Arm, and the Training and Support Command. The author also includes brief descriptions of all aircraft types currently being operated and their armament plus the latest details of experimental aircraft. The book also includes accounts of the First and Second Chechen Wars.

Essentailly, this book provides great analysis on the current state of the Russian Airforce. Since the fall of Communism in 1990, the country has gone into an extreme debt. Due to that debt the Russian Airfoce has been forced to endure extreme budget cuts and upgrades to existing aircraft. Most development programs are now only research and development for scientific purposes. Many of the more advanced aircraft such as the Mig 1.42, S-37a or SU-47, and SU-37 will never see combat service. The history behind these planes, however, is fantastic. Huge recommendation for any Cold War fans. This is way better than Popular Mechanics on individual jets.