Russia's military school revival: Training for non‑existent bombers
Russia plans to reactivate disbanded military schools, including the Ulyanovsk Aviation School, which is intended to train Tu-95MS bomber pilots, reports Defense Express. The issue, however, is that the Russians no longer produce these aircraft.
Russia intends to revive military schools disbanded in the 2000s, including the Ulyanovsk Aviation School, which is planned to start operations on September 1, 2025. This school will train pilots of strategic Tu-95MS bombers. This decision is part of a broader strategy to rebuild the military education system in the country.
New training centres
In addition to reactivating the Ulyanovsk Aviation School, Russia plans to open new training centres to replace existing military departments at universities.
Russia also plans to reinstate other military schools, such as the artillery school and the chemical warfare school in Saratov, as well as the signal corps school in Novocherkassk and the ground forces school in Irkutsk. Defense Express reports that in 2021, the Russian Federation had 109 "military training centres," while in 2024, their number increased to 137. A total of 60,000 people are being trained there.
Militarization of education
However, analysts from Defense Express point out that Russia's plans involve launching a school intended for Tu-95MS pilots, even though the Russian Federation no longer produces these aircraft. Furthermore, over time, the number of these planes in Russia's arsenal is decreasing. Experts believe that from these plans, it appears Moscow is simultaneously expanding both its mobilization and personnel training systems for its army. Based on this, Defense Express claims that Russians are moving towards increasing their military strength quantitatively, focusing on long-range weapons and elements of the nuclear triad.
The Tu-95MS aircraft are among the oldest strategic aircraft still used in the Russian arsenal. This machine has a range of approximately 12,070 kilometres, enabling long-distance missions. The aircraft is powered by four NK-12 turboprop engines, allowing it to achieve speeds exceeding 800 kilometres per hour. Additionally, the Tu-95MS can carry loads of up to 20,000 kilograms, making it a versatile tool in military operations.
Tu-95MS aircraft are designed to carry a variety of weapons. Their arsenal includes cruise missiles such as the Kh-55 and Kh-101, as well as both conventional and nuclear bombs. The Kh-55 missiles, which can reach a range of up to 3,000 kilometres, are capable of attacking strategic targets at long distances. Meanwhile, the Kh-101 is a more advanced version, equipped with modern guidance systems, making them even more precise and effective in action.
