Russia revives military schools for an uncertain aviation future
Russia plans to reactivate disbanded military schools, including the Ulyanovsk Aviation School, which is intended to train Tu-95MS bomber pilots, reports Defence Express. However, the Russians do not produce these aircraft.
Russia intends to revitalise military schools disbanded in the 2000s, including the Ulyanovsk Aviation School (planned to commence operations on 1 September 2025), which is to train pilots of strategic Tu-95MS bombers. This decision forms part of a broader strategy to rebuild the country's military education system.
New training centres
Apart from reactivating the Ulyanovsk Aviation School, Russia plans to establish new training centres to replace the existing university military departments.
Russia also intends to reinstate other military schools, such as the artillery and chemical warfare schools in Saratov, the signal corps school in Novocherkassk, and the ground forces school in Irkutsk. Defence 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.
Militarisation of education
Nonetheless, analysts from Defence Express indicate that Russia's plans include launching a school for Tu-95MS pilots, even though the Russian Federation does not produce these aircraft. Moreover, the number of these planes in Russia's arsenal is dwindling over time. Experts believe that Moscow is simultaneously expanding its army's mobilisation and personnel training system. Defence Express suggests that the Russians are moving towards increasing their military strength quantitatively, focusing on long-range weapons and elements of the nuclear triad.
To clarify, the aforementioned Tu-95MS are among the oldest strategic aircraft still in use in the Russian arsenal. This machine's range is approximately 12,000 kilometres, enabling missions over long distances. The aircraft is powered by four NK-12 turboprop engines, allowing it to reach a top speed 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, can attack strategic targets over 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.
