Recent regional conflicts have underscored a clear need for the air forces to deploy heavier, more capable weapons with increased armor protection.
According to former Air Force commander Georgy Shpak, the push to arm paratroopers has long been delayed since conflicts in Afghanistan and Chechnya. He noted that most airborne equipment prioritized the ability to parachute, where weight constraints limited armor and caliber. The airborne combat vehicle sits around seven tons, while infantry fighting vehicles can exceed thirteen tons, making BMPs more protected in combat. Shpak pointed out that the Air Force historically limited artillery to 122 mm, whereas army guns reach 152 mm, offering longer range and greater effectiveness in the field. This assessment was reported by Gazeta.ru.
Shpak recalled that during the Afghanistan war (1979–1989), landing units—the 103rd Division and the 345th Regiment—employed land-based BMP-1 and BMP-2 platforms, along with BTR-80 armored personnel carriers. Paratroopers were equipped with T-64 tanks, Grad multiple rocket launchers, and self-propelled guns such as Gvozdika, Akatsiya, and Pion. He highlighted that this mix enabled robust fire support in mountainous and desert environments, facilitating active military operations.
Following the Afghan campaign, the Air Force returned to using military equipment for airborne operations but faced a decline in power over time.
Shurygin, a military analyst, explained that reforms within the Air Force began years ago. Paratroopers are now deployed more for exercises, and the service has reinforced its large‑caliber artillery capability. He argued that while heavy tanks are no longer uncommon, the overall potential of airborne divisions has diminished due to technological gaps. Parachuting may gradually fade from primary use and become a task primarily for special forces conducting reconnaissance and sabotage missions. This view was shared with socialbites.ca by Vladislav Shurygin, a noted military analyst.
Currently, the Air Force comprises two airborne divisions, two air‑assault divisions, four airborne assault brigades, a dedicated special forces brigade, and several auxiliary and training units.
Sergey Belousov, a member of the Military Experts Council, noted that the air transport fleet capable of landing paratroopers remains sizeable. He cited roughly 120 Il-76 aircraft in the Aerospace Forces, with around a hundred more under protection. Reflecting on the 2021 Crimea exercises, he recalled that about 2.5 thousand personnel parachuted and thousands more jumped from aircraft, with 40–45 military transport aircraft involved. If all Il-76s were grouped into an air fleet, they could potentially carry two regiments with standard weapons and equipment. However, subsequent landings could be hindered if aircraft could not return to primary airfields because of enemy air defenses and ground opposition. He added that in many cases, the parachute drop may no longer be essential, marking it as a secondary topic for discussion.
The expert also observed that parachute jumps are relatively rare in the United States, noting the 82nd Airborne Division as the most renowned example. He recalled American troops participating in Afghanistan in 2018, though that mission involved a small reconnaissance element rather than a full operational-tactical assault. In most instances, U.S. paratroopers act as reinforced infantry units for rapid action.
Georgy Shpak suggested that it would be prudent to retain at least one air regiment per division within the Air Force as a contingency for parachute operations in combat scenarios.
He argued that parachute deployment should be reserved for specific combat needs, while the remaining units should be equipped and integrated with broader air transport capabilities. He advocated expanding helicopter squadrons and enhancing rapid-response capacity, ensuring a reserve ready for command decisions. He also emphasized maintaining parachute training for all Air Force personnel, stating that without this training, airborne operations lose their essential character.