MOSCOW. Jan 14 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian Air Force can build up the required readiness of high-alert air defense forces, Air Force Commander Vladimir Mikhailov told Interfax-Military News Agency Wednesday.
"In 2003 the protection of the state border and air defense of priority sites were provided by high-alert AD units reduced to every possible minimum due to shortage of funds. Nonetheless, the Air Force can provide required coverage at any color of alert within the required terms," he said.
He said that in 2003 the high-alert AD forces detected and tracked over 250,000 aerial targets, including many foreign aircraft.
He also said that in 2003 the Air Force actually had experience of building up forces during the celebration of St. Petersburg's 300th anniversary and during the exercise of the CIS Unified Air Defense System.
"The Air Force has fulfilled basic operational training measures. For the first time in recent years the quality and quantity of flight and combat tactical exercises, as well as of launches of missiles and cruise missiles against complicated tactical background," Mikhailov said.
According to the general, strategic aviation has exercised a very important mission during an exercise with the Pacific Fleet.
However, the commander said, despite that the total flight time of the Air Force increased in 2003 year-on-year, the average flight background per pilot (crew) is still a mere 36 hours.