Russian Military Merges Air Force and Space Command
Air forces, anti-air and anti-missile defenses, and space forces will now be under a unified command structure.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the creation Monday of a new branch of Russia’s armed forces: the Aerospace Forces, which brings the air force and the recently created Aerospace Defense Forces under one unified command, The Moscow Times writes.
“Air forces, anti-air and anti-missile defenses, and space forces will now be under a unified command structure,” Shoigu was quoted as saying Monday by news agency TASS. By merging the responsibilities for space and air operations under one roof — known as the Aerospace Forces — the move represents an evolution in Russian military thinking.
Last week, President Vladimir Putin approved amendments to the national naval doctrine that prioritized a focus on countering NATO assets in the Atlantic Ocean with strong fleets in the Arctic and Black seas.