The Russian Aerospace Forces have about 25–27 A-50 and A-50U long-range radar detection aircraft at their disposal. The situation is roughly the same for the United States, said retired Major General Vladimir Popov.
.png){kind=link}
In addition to them, ground-based radars, command posts, and other airborne platforms, including those based on Il-20 and Il-22, are used for aviation control.
They are repaired, improved, and undergo maintenance at Russian aviation enterprises.
The official number of AWACS aircraft is classified. For example, the "Tekhnosfera Rossiya" publication cited an estimate by foreign analysts — only 8 aircraft.
The next stage in the development of domestic AWACS aircraft should be the A-100 "Premier" aircraft, the development of which began in the 2010s. The first prototype took to the skies in 2017.
However, the current status of the program is unknown. The "Premier" was built at the Beriev Aircraft Plant in Taganrog, which recently faced major financial problems.