Air Force cubes. Cuba: alone and without weapons
Air Force and air defense cubes(Spanish) Defensa Antiaerea y Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria ; DAAFAR) - one of the branches of the Cuban Armed Forces.
The beginning of Cuban military aviation began in March 1915, when an aviation corps appeared within the army. For a long time, Cuba remained an ally of the United States and received American aircraft. As a result of the victory of the revolution (), Cuba joined the socialist camp and began to rearm its air force with the help of the USSR. In April 1961, Cuban pilots shot down several enemy aircraft during the Bay of Pigs battles. During the 1970s and 1980s, the Cuban Air Force saw action in Ethiopia and Angola.
DAAFAR's mission is to protect Cuban airspace, provide tactical and transport support to the Revolutionary Army and Navy, and perform maintenance missions when necessary. National economy. The Air Force and Air Defense include 2 mixed fighter-bomber formations, one transport and one transport to serve the leadership. As of 2008 air space Cuba is divided into two districts: western and eastern, with their respective headquarters located in the cities of San Antonio de los Banos and Holguin. The Western District is covered by the 2nd Air Force and Air Defense Brigade, which includes the 1779th formation, which has a mixed fighter squadron of 3 MiG-29s remaining in service and up to 10 MiG-23MLs. To solve auxiliary air defense tasks, for example, to intercept slow, low-flying targets, three or four L-39Cs are used; in normal circumstances, they are used as training aircraft. To provide basic training pilots use training Zlin Z-142. The Eastern District is covered by the Cuartel Moncada Guard Brigade. It also includes the 1779th formation in Holguin. Air defense missions in the district are carried out by several MiG-21 fighters. The district hosts the 3405th special transport connection, whose tasks include serving the leadership of the state, and the 3688th transport connection, planes and helicopters of both operate from Playa Baracoa.
Relatively organizational composition Cuban Air Force and Air Defense, data available for 2006:
Zona Area Oeste: 2 Brigada "Playa Girún"
Subdivision | Aircraft type | Base |
---|---|---|
Unidad Militar 1779 | San Antonio de los Basos | |
Escuadrun de Caza | MiG-29 | San Antonio de los Basos |
Escuadrun de Caza | MiG-23ML | San Antonio de los Basos |
Escuadrun de Instrucción | MiG-21, L-39C, Z-142 | San Antonio de los Basos |
Escuadrun de Helicupteros | Mi-17, Mi-24D | San Antonio de los Basos |
3405.Regimiento Ejecutivo | Playa Baracoa | |
Escuadrun de Ejecutivo | An-24, Yak-40, Mi-8P, Il-62/96 | Playa Baracoa |
Zona Area Oriente: 3 Brigada "Cuartel Moncada"
By the 1990s, the Cuban Air Force was rated as the best in Latin America, both in terms of equipment and training. After the cessation of active military cooperation with the USSR and Russia in the 1990s, Cuban aviation experienced significant difficulties. According to Western data, only two fighter squadrons are combat-ready; about 20 combat aircraft were in flight-worthy condition in 2003-2004, and the annual flight time of the pilots during the same period did not exceed 50 hours.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, as of 2007, the number personnel DAAFAR is estimated at 8 thousand people. 31 combat aircraft, 12 transport aircraft, a number of helicopters and training aircraft are in flightable condition; in addition, it is indicated that another 179 aircraft were in storage.
Airpark
According to the British website aeroflight.co.uk, the state of the Cuban Air Force fleet in 2006 was as follows:
Model | Manufacturer country | Type | Modification | Delivered | In service |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mikoyan and Gurevich MiG-21 | Fighter Combat training | MiG-21MF MiG-21UM | 6010 | 44 | |
Mikoyan and Gurevich MiG-23 | FighterFighter-bomberCombat training | MiG-23MF/MS MiG-23ML MiG-23UB | 21215 | 6102 | |
Mikoyan and Gurevich MiG-29 | / | FighterMulti-role fighter Combat training | MiG-29BMiG-29UB | 142 | 21 |
Mil Mi-8 | Multi-role helicopter | Mi-8TMi-8TKV | 2020 | 42 | |
Mil Mi-17 | / | Multi-role helicopter | Mi-17 | 16 | 8 |
Mil Mi-24 | Attack helicopter | Mi-24D | 20 | 4 | |
Antonov An-24 | / | Transport aircraft | An-24 | 20 | 4 |
Antonov An-26 | Transport aircraft | An-26 | 17 | 3 | |
Yakovlev Yak-40 | Passenger plane | Yak-40 | 8 | 3 | |
Ilyushin Il-62 | Passenger plane | IL-62 | 1 | 1 | |
Ilyushin Il-96 | / | Passenger plane | IL-96 | 2 | 2 |
Aero L-39 Albatros | Combat training | L-39C | 30 | 7 | |
Zlin Z-326 | Training | Z-326T | 60 | 20 |
Airbases
The following air bases are used by the Cuban Air Force and Air Defense Forces (as of 2006):
Holguin / Base Area Holguin / Frank Pais AP (ICAO code: MUHG)
Runway: Rwy 05/23, Runway Size: 3238 m (10624 ft) x 45 m (148 ft), Elevation: 110 m (361 ft).
La Habana / Base Area Playa Baracoa (ICAO code: MUPB)
Runway: Rwy 02/20, Runway Size: 2305 m (7563 ft) x 45 m (148 ft), Elevation: 31 m (102 ft)
Base Area San Antonio de los Basos (ICAO code: MUSA)
Runway: Rwy 01/19, Runway Size: 2400 m (7873 ft) x 46 m (150 ft), Elevation: 50 m (164 ft).
Runway: Rwy 05/23, Runway Size: 3596 m (11799 ft) x 46 m (150 ft), Elevation: 50 m (164 ft).
Runway: Rwy 12/30, Runway Size: 2482 m (8144 ft) x 46 m (150 ft), Elevation: 50 m (164 ft).
It is still surprising that the Republic of Cuba exists in close proximity to the United States, which took the path of building socialism back in the 50s of the last century.
The history of Cuba is very interesting. And it has been going on since 1492, when the famous European Columbus set foot on the island. Since then, the indigenous inhabitants - the Taino Indians - had to fight for their independence against the colonialists: first with the European ones, and then the United States declared their right to the territory of the island.
From 1952 to 1959, Cuba was under the brutal dictatorship of Batista. Cuban revolutionaries repeatedly tried to destroy the dictatorship that had already become obsolete. Both left and right forces, rich and poor, are fed up with the Batista regime. The desire to get rid of the dictatorial regime was strengthened by the open connection between the Cuban government and the American mafia. The most difficult economic and social situation in the country, the lack of democracy and the ability to take into account the interests of the dissatisfied led to an explosion. Revolution in Cuba became inevitable. General indignation led to the success of the revolution led by F. Castro.
We can confidently say that the revolution in Cuba was carried out not so much by a handful of revolutionaries, but with the help of the people and those who were in power (except Batista himself, of course). The United States tried to maintain its influence on the island. The so-called “Bay of Pigs Operation” is known as the crushing defeat of US mercenaries by Cuban rebel forces more than half a century ago in the Bay of Cochins. The battle lasted only 72 hours. The Cubans completely defeated the so-called “Brigade 2506,” which consisted of Cuban emigrants trained by US intelligence agencies. "Brigade 2506" included 4 infantry battalion, tank unit, airborne troops, a heavy artillery division and special forces - a total of 1,500 people. As a result of the battle, almost all of the interventionists were captured or destroyed.
Cubans defended their right to live the way they want. But they had to constantly be ready to defend their independence. Cubans have been living in constant readiness repel a military invasion of the “rebellious” island by the United States.
Today, after a fairly long period of time, we can note the country’s achievements after a radical regime change. It is believed that Cubans have the most long duration life among the countries of the Western Hemisphere. Cuba has high-quality free healthcare and advanced education. If Cuba used to be a supplier of sugar, now it exports brains: for example, Cuban doctors provide highly qualified care on different continents of the world. It is difficult to say whether it can be recorded as an asset of the Cuban regime government regulation economy, but currently transformations are underway in this industry: small private enterprises are allowed in Cuba - hairdressing salons, workshops and production cooperatives. Now Cubans receive international passports without any problems: many leave the country, but there are also those who return to sunny island. Despite great changes and strengthening contacts with outside world, the Cuban regime not only survived, but also strengthened.
A fairly reasonable question arises: why does the United States of America, dictating its will to many countries of the world, easily carry out military intervention in the affairs of sovereign states, have not yet subjugated Cuba? The answer lies on the surface - the Americans are well aware of how much this will cost them. All these years, the Cuban armed forces, which grew out of the rebel groups of the Cuban revolution, are the most trained and well-armed army in the world. And although it is inferior in numbers to many armed forces of other countries, the morale of the military personnel and excellent training officers makes the Cuban army the most combat-ready.
The Cuban armed forces are recruited on the basis of conscription, the service period is 1 year. Both men and women serve in the army: there are even tank companies and helicopter regiments in which only women serve.
Liberty Island has long been turned into an impregnable citadel. Many vacationers on wonderful sandy beaches They don’t even realize that just a few meters from their sun loungers there are well-camouflaged pillboxes and military installations. And in the karst caves, which the Cubans are so proud of, there are storage bases for military equipment and prepared firing points. The Cuban military brought to life effective method conservation of military equipment. 70% of the available weapons are located at storage bases and are ready for immediate use, along with related equipment and supplies. For example, tanks, self-propelled guns, armored personnel carriers, self-propelled guns and infantry fighting vehicles are stored in packs, along with the necessary supply of batteries and ammunition. The necessary equipment has been created for the stored equipment climatic conditions - optimal humidity and temperature. For this purpose, modern, expensive equipment was purchased.
Back in the 80s of the last century, Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro officially announced the Cuban military doctrine with the significant name “People's War”. The implementation of the doctrine led to the fact that Cuba turned into a powerful fortified area and base capable of ensuring universal guerrilla warfare in case of external attack. Not only the country’s armed forces, but also civilians, which are united into territorial units of the people's militia. The harmony of the people's forces and the regular army is so great that together they will be able to effectively resist any aggressor. The Cubans claim that every citizen of the country, whether military or civilian, knows where and at what time he must arrive in the event of hostilities or the threat of attack. About 1.4 thousand defense zones and borders have been formed in Cuba. The aggressor is unlikely to be able to cope with such an organized confrontation.
To save high level readiness to repel any attack, in Cuba, once every few years, combined arms exercises “Bastion” are held, in which military personnel and civilians. Quantity civilians, participating in the exercise, significantly exceeds the number of the Cuban army. Russia (and not only Russia) should envy such organization and the level of patriotism of every citizen of Cuba.
Almost every Russian knows about the Alpha and Vympel special forces, but Cuba also has highly professional military units, although little is known about them. It's about about Cuban special forces - Tropas Especiales "Avispas Negras". This unit is also called the “Black Wasps”. It was formed to ensure the security of the country's top leadership. Initially, it included experienced soldiers who served in the countries Latin America and having experience in guerrilla and insurgent warfare during the period of the destruction of the Batista dictatorship. With the permission of Fidel Castro, the Black Wasps special forces took part in supporting revolutionary movements outside the country.
So, in 1975, Cuban special forces were deployed to Angola to help the People's Liberation Movement for the liberation of Angola. This African state was a very tasty morsel for the United States and South Africa - the country had rich mineral resources: diamonds, oil, phosphates, gold, iron ore, bauxite and uranium, so they made every effort to prevent the leaders of the pro-Marxist movement from coming to power. Today we can say with confidence that the mission of Cuban military specialists contributed to Angola’s choice of the socialist path of development.
In addition, Cuban special forces fought in Ethiopia and Mozambique, in the countries Central America. One of the Cuban officers who fought in Ethiopia said that “Russian advisers for the Ethiopians are like Martians. Firstly, they are “faranji” (white), and secondly, they live almost under communism. Another thing is us Cubans: among us there are many mulattoes, there are blacks. Besides, not long ago we lived in the same filth and hopelessness, just like the Ethiopians. Therefore, we easily understand each other.” And today, Cuban military advisers are fighting in many countries around the world.
The Cuban special forces "Black Wasps" specialize in combat operations in the jungle. Experts admit that today the Black Wasps are the most best special forces, which can operate effectively in tropical conditions, and the level of training of each fighter in terms of complexity has no analogues in the world.
To train special forces of this level, a well-equipped training center is required. And such a Center was opened in 1980 in the city of Los Palacios. The Cubans gave it the name "School" - Escuela Nacional de Tropas Especiales Baragua. On the territory of the Center, which occupies huge territory, artificial reservoirs, swamps, a city model, a network of underground communications and much more were built. At the same time, about 2.5 thousand cadets can undergo retraining at this Center. And not only the Black Wasps, but also paratroopers, marines, and military personnel from other countries. The teachers are not only Cubans: for example, Chinese army officers teach as instructors at this Center.
The main disciplines at the Center are tactics of warfare in the jungle, training in methods of survival in difficult conditions and covert penetration into enemy territory, methods of sabotage, mastering martial arts, sniper art, diving and parachute training, as well as mastering the skills of maintaining information and psychological warfare. By the way, it was the Cuban officer Raul Riso who developed a special style of martial arts based on “karate-operetiva”, which was used in the training of specialists from the KGB of the USSR and the GRU of the General Staff of the USSR Ministry of Defense, and special forces soldiers “Vympel” and “Alpha”.
The tactics of the "Black Wasps" are based on the action of individuals or small groups intelligence saboteurs who are able long time is in offline mode when operating on enemy territory. The fighters of the “Black Wasps” are masters of all types from many countries of the world: be it AKMS, AKMSN, Vintorez, RPG-7V, SVD, AS “Val” or the Hungarian ADM-65 or the Czech CZ 75, or Cuban-made weapons. Cuba can rightfully be proud of its special forces.
This is how the soldiers of the Soviet Alpha unit, who were trained at the Cuban military training center, described the training of the Cuban special forces “Black Wasps”. The camp was located in a picturesque lowland, surrounded by forested hills. The teaching was conducted by experts in their field. The Alpha team especially remembered training on the so-called “Che Guevara trail.” The trail is a route that goes through seven hills, the length of the trail is about 8 km. The trail is equipped with training booby traps, obstacles of varying difficulty, trip wires and other unexpected surprises for the special forces. Dress code: shorts and no shoes. To increase the load, each fighter carries with him a blank weighing about 8 kg, simulating a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and a pouch with training mines was also attached to his belt. The Alpha members remember well that they returned “dead” from the first training session. Subsequently, the center’s teachers taught the cadets to navigate minefields, and they had to clear all types of mines “blindly” and by hand, quickly overcome barbed wire barriers, remove sentries and penetrate airfields, warehouses, fuel terminals, etc.
Daily walking of the “Che Guevara trail”, practice in various ways movement, intensive physical training- normal training for Cuban special forces. Moving in a bent position causes pain in all muscles after just 15 minutes, and cadets are required to walk like this for hours. In addition, this walking was practiced as part of a group: the person walking in front felt the ground in front of him with his feet to detect tripwires and mines. Group there is a trail next Because the human eye reacts to fast movement, the group moves slowly and smoothly for greater secrecy, so as to be able to immediately freeze if a flare takes off. Special forces are taught to completely merge with environment.
To master all disciplines in training center Cuban special forces require enormous will and, of course, time.
Just look at the night crawling for 12 hours straight. The task of the group in this case is to unnoticed penetration into a protected facility. The fighters move slowly, overcoming obstacles different levels, including noise mats made of reeds, dry leaves, fragments of slate, barbed wire fences (the wire is first bitten, broken by hand - in this case it does not make a sound, then it is spread with special hooks in different sides and provide a passage for exit). In complete darkness, the leader of the group, when finding mines, checks them for removability, neutralizes traps, removes trip wires or marks their locations. At this time, the group lies motionless and waits for his command. The fighters are smeared with mud or a masking composition made from herbs, and the weapons are also treated so that glare is not visible.
During the training process, Cuban special forces soldiers, in addition to group operations, participate in comprehensive training at various facilities. For example, they learn to place a magnetic mine on a tank that turns out to be empty - after all, when you bring a magnet to it, a sound is heard comparable to a small explosion, and as a result the task will be considered failed.
At educational task To destroy a battalion stationed in a barracks, seven Cuban special forces soldiers quietly approach the target and throw bombs, previously brought in waist bags (bolso), into the windows of the barracks. At the same time, the towers with sentries are destroyed. Those few enemy fighters who survived the first strike by special forces, as a rule, can no longer provide worthy resistance.
Fuel terminals, planes at airfields, and ammunition depots are exploding, and a special forces group has already left the site, camouflaging their trips. Such training builds power and energy in every fighter.
Everyone learns at the training center existing species weapons. Cuban instructors teach you how to shoot for real: day, night, on the move, by sound, at a moving target, from the hip, by flash and much more. The soldiers mastered the unique skill of shooting from a mortar without a base plate (from the moment of the first launch to the first explosion, the cadets managed to fire up to 12 shots) - the fire strike was deafening, and the crew left the firing point in a timely manner.
The fighters also undergo training in combat operations in urban environments - they master hiding operations, methods and locations, methods of movement around the city, detection and evasion of surveillance.
It is believed that Cuban special forces are one of the best at organizing ambushes and kidnappings.
Cubans teaching the most in detail tactics of the operation make all participants, without exception, think. They believe that the only way a commander or fighter can accept correct solution only if he knows many similar solutions, and for this purpose training is based on working out any surprises. Inputs for assignments can be the most incredible. The main goal learning is that unexpected questions and there should be no situations during special operations. Everything is thought through as much as possible possible situations- only then is any operation “doomed” to success.
The Cuban army is in constant combat readiness. Meanwhile, the country lives, works, rejoices, raises children - its future. The world is in turmoil economic crisis, and Cuba implements social programs, strengthening the health and education systems. The Cuban government is investing in “human capital,” which means the country has a future.
Materials used:
http://forts.io.ua/s423545/#axzz2jmLMcTIQ
http://www.bratishka.ru/archiv/2011/8/2011_8_4.php
http://www.redstar.ru/index.php/news-menu/vesti/iz-moskvy/item/9914-pod-zharkim-nebom-afriki
Plan:
- Introduction
- 1. History
- 2 Organizational structure
- 3 Base points
- 4 Combat composition
- 5 Equipment and weapons
- 6
Identification marks
- 6.1 Evolution of identification marks
Notes
Introduction
Cuban Air Force and Air Defense(Spanish) Defensa Antiaerea y Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria ; DAAFAR) - one of the types Armed Forces Cubes.
1. History
The beginning of Cuban military aviation began in March 1915, when an aviation corps appeared within the army. For a long time, Cuba remained an ally of the United States and received American aircraft. As a result of the victory of the revolution (1959), Cuba joined the socialist camp and began to rearm its air force with the help of the USSR. In April 1961, Cuban pilots shot down several enemy aircraft during the Bay of Pigs battles. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Cuban Air Force participated in combat operations in Ethiopia and Angola.
2. Organizational structure
DAAFAR's missions include protecting Cuban airspace, providing tactical and transport support to the Revolutionary Army and Navy, and, if necessary, performing national economic service tasks. The Air Force and Air Defense include 2 mixed fighter-bomber formations, one transport and one transport to serve the leadership. As of 2008, Cuban airspace is divided into two districts: western and eastern, with corresponding headquarters located in the cities of San Antonio de los Banos and Holguin.
The Western District is covered by the 2nd Air Force and Air Defense Brigade, which includes the 1779th formation, which has a mixed fighter squadron of 3 MiG-29s remaining in service and up to 10 MiG-23MLs. To solve auxiliary air defense tasks, for example, to intercept slow, low-flying targets, three or four L-39Cs are used; in normal circumstances, they are used as training aircraft. To provide basic training for pilots, Zlin Z-142 trainers are used.
The Eastern District is covered by the Cuartel Moncada Guard Brigade. It also includes the 1779th compound in Holguin. Air defense missions in the district are carried out by several MiG-21 fighters. The district is home to the 3405th Special Transport Unit, whose mission is to serve the government, and the 3688th Transport Unit, both of which operate from Playa Baracoa.
3. Base points
The following air bases are used by the Cuban Air Force and Air Defense Forces (as of 2006):
Holguin / Base Area Holguin / Frank Pais AP (ICAO code: MUHG)
Runway: Rwy 05/23, Runway Size: 3238 m (10624 ft) x 45 m (148 ft), Elevation: 110 m (361 ft).
La Habana / Base Area Playa Baracoa (ICAO code: MUPB)
Runway: Rwy 02/20, Runway Size: 2305 m (7563 ft) x 45 m (148 ft), Elevation: 31 m (102 ft)
Base Area San Antonio de los Basos (ICAO code: MUSA)
Runway: Rwy 01/19, Runway Size: 2400 m (7873 ft) x 46 m (150 ft), Elevation: 50 m (164 ft).
Runway: Rwy 05/23, Runway Size: 3596 m (11799 ft) x 46 m (150 ft), Elevation: 50 m (164 ft).
Runway: Rwy 12/30, Runway Size: 2482 m (8144 ft) x 46 m (150 ft), Elevation: 50 m (164 ft).
4. Combat composition
Relatively combat personnel Cuban Air Force and Air Defense, data available for 2006:
Zona Area Oeste: 2 Brigada "Playa Girón"
Subdivision | Aircraft type | Base |
---|---|---|
Unidad Militar 1779 | San Antonio de los Basos | |
Escuadron de Caza | MiG-29 | San Antonio de los Basos |
Escuadron de Caza | MiG-23ML | San Antonio de los Basos |
Escuadron de Instrucción | MiG-21, L-39C, Z-142 | San Antonio de los Basos |
Escuadron de Helicopteros | Mi-17, Mi-24D | San Antonio de los Basos |
3405.Regimiento Ejecutivo | Playa Baracoa | |
Escuadron de Ejecutivo | An-24, Yak-40, Mi-8P, Il-62/96 | Playa Baracoa |
Zona Area Oriente: 3 Brigada "Cuartel Moncada"
By the 1990s, the Cuban Air Force was ranked as the best in Latin America, both in terms of equipment and training. After the cessation of active military cooperation with the USSR and Russia in the 1990s, Cuban aviation experienced significant difficulties. According to Western data, only two fighter squadrons are combat-ready; about 20 combat aircraft were in flight-worthy condition in 2003-2004, and the pilots’ annual flight time during the same period did not exceed 50 hours.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, as of 2007, the number of DAAFAR personnel is estimated at 8 thousand people. 31 combat aircraft, 12 transport aircraft, a number of helicopters and training aircraft are in flightable condition; in addition, it is indicated that another 179 aircraft were in storage.
5. Equipment and weapons
According to the British website aeroflight.co.uk, the state of the Cuban Air Force fleet in 2006 was as follows:
Model | Manufacturer country | Type | Modification | Delivered | In service |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mikoyan and Gurevich MiG-21 | USSR | Fighter Combat training | MiG-21MF MiG-21UM | 60 10 | 4 4 |
Mikoyan and Gurevich MiG-23 | USSR | Fighter Fighter-bomber Combat training | MiG-23MF/MS MiG-23ML MiG-23UB | 21 21 5 | 6 10 2 |
Mikoyan and Gurevich MiG-29 | THE USSR / | Fighter Multi-role fighter Combat training | MiG-29B MiG-29UB | 14 2 | 2 1 |
Mil Mi-8 | USSR | Multi-role helicopter | Mi-8T Mi-8TKV | 20 20 | 4 2 |
Mil Mi-17 | THE USSR / | Multi-role helicopter | Mi-17 | 16 | 8 |
Mil Mi-24 | USSR | Attack helicopter | Mi-24D | 20 | 4 |
Antonov An-24 | THE USSR / | Transport aircraft | An-24 | 20 | 4 |
Antonov An-26 | USSR | Transport aircraft | An-26 | 17 | 3 |
Yakovlev Yak-40 | USSR | Passenger plane | Yak-40 | 8 | 3 |
Ilyushin Il-62 | USSR | Passenger plane | IL-62 | 1 | 1 |
Ilyushin Il-96 | THE USSR / | Passenger plane | IL-96 | 2 | 2 |
Aero L-39 Albatros | Combat training | L-39C | 30 | 7 | |
Zlin Z-326 | Training | Z-326T | 60 | 20 |
6. Identification marks
6.1. Evolution of identification marks
Identification mark | Fuselage badge | Keel mark | When used | Application order |
---|---|---|---|---|
no data | ||||
no data | ||||
no data - to date |
Since the 60s of the twentieth century, Freedom Island has been one of the most important geopolitical allies of the USSR, receiving a significant amount of modern military equipment. As a result, the Cuban army became the strongest in Latin America both in the quantity and quality of weapons and in the level of combat training, which was demonstrated in the wars in Ethiopia and Angola. The most important achievement of the Cuban Armed Forces was their victory in Angola over the formally African, but actually Anglo-Saxon army of South Africa in the late 80s.
The collapse of the USSR was a disaster for Cuba. Since that time, the country's armed forces have not received any new military equipment, which is why they have become very degraded. To correct the situation in Cuba, the production of “hybrids” was established. For example, self-propelled guns, air defense missile launchers and coastal anti-ship missiles on the T-55 chassis. In turn, the T-55 turrets are installed on the BTR-60P, resulting in a BMTV. Similar combinations are made with the BMP-1. The apotheosis of such hybridization was frigates from fishing trawlers. Such a “rearrangement of terms” does not provide a real increase in the combat power of the Armed Forces, since the sum remains the same. There is no real renewal of weapons, which is leading the Cuban army to complete degradation in the foreseeable future.
Ground troops are divided into three armies - Western, Central, Eastern. The Western includes the 2nd AK (headquarters in Pinar del Rio, the AK includes the 24th, 27th, 28th infantry divisions), the 70th mechanized, the 1st training and 78th armored divisions, the 72nd and 79th yu reserve infantry divisions.
Central Army: 4th AK (Las Villas, 41, 43, 48 Infantry), 81, 84, 86, 89th Infantry, 242nd Infantry Regiment 24th Infantry, 12th Armored Regiment 1st Training armored division. Eastern Army: 5th AK (Holguin, 50th Mechanized, 52, 54, 56, 58th Infantry), 6th AK (Camagüey, 60th Mechanized, 63, 65, 69th Infantry), 3 , 6th, 9th Armored, 31st, 32nd, 38th, 90th, 95th, 97th, 123rd Infantry Divisions, Guantanamo Bay Border Brigade, 281st Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. Most divisions in Peaceful time are brigades, deployment is expected only in wartime.
65 launchers of the extremely outdated Luna TR remain in service. The tank fleet consists of approximately 800 T-55s (up to 450 more in storage), 400 T-62s, 60 light PT-76s and possibly 51 T-72s. There are at least 100 BRM (up to 50 BRDM-1, 50–100 BRDM-2), 16 BTR-100 BMTV (BTR-60 with T-55 turret), 16 BTR-73 BMTV (BTR-60 with BMP-1 turret ), from 50 to 60 BMP-1, up to 100 BTR-60P, up to 100 BTR-40, up to 150 BTR-152.
Artillery includes from 20 to 40 self-propelled guns 2S1 (122 mm), up to 40 self-propelled guns 2S3 (152 mm), at least 8 self-propelled guns BMP-122 (D-30 howitzer on the BMP-1 chassis), at least 8 wheeled self-propelled guns with M guns -46, A-19 and D-20 in the back of trucks. The number of towed guns is approximately 500 - up to 140 D-30, up to 100 M-30, up to 90 A-19, up to 190 M-46, up to 100 ML-20, up to 90 D-20, up to 50 D-1. As stated above, some of these guns turned into self-propelled guns, thus ceasing to be towed. There are up to 2 thousand mortars (82 and 120 mm), 178 BM-21 MLRS and, possibly, a number of obsolete MLRS (BM-14-16, BM-24, M-51). In service are several hundred anti-tank systems "Malyutka", "Fagot" and up to 700 anti-tank missiles - about 600 ZIS-2 and 100 self-propelled SU-100.
Military air defense includes three divisions of the Kvadrat air defense system (12 launchers), about 120 air defense systems short range(60 “Strela-1”, 16 “Osa”, 42 “Strela-10”), more than 200 MANPADS (60 “Strela-2”, 50 “Strela-3”, 120 “Igla-1”), up to 120 ZSU ( up to 23 ZSU-57-2, from 36 to 50 ZSU-23-4, at least 32 ZSU on the BTR-60 chassis, including 16 with ZU-23-2 and 16 with 61-K gun), up to 900 anti-aircraft guns(approximately 380 ZU-23, 280 61-K, 200 S-60).
Due to the antiquity of the technology and the aforementioned “hybridization,” it is extremely difficult to establish the exact number of combat-ready samples of each type.
Air Force affected by the obsolescence of weapons and military equipment much more than ground troops, therefore very close to complete retirement. Organizationally, they are divided into three air zones, each of which includes one air brigade: “West” (2nd brigade), “Center” (1st), “East” (3rd).
Currently, no more than 40 fighters remain operational: 2–4 MiG-29 (another 6–10 in storage), up to 24 MiG-23, 6–14 MiG-21. Transport aviation has been completely curtailed. 1 Yak-40, up to 10 An-2, up to 18 An-26 are in storage. The Air Force remains training aircraft Czechoslovak production - up to 8 Z-142, up to 27 L-39С.
There are four Mi-35 combat helicopters in service (another 8 and up to 11 Mi-25 in storage). Multi-purpose and transport helicopters - up to 30 Mi-17 (about 12 more in storage), up to 14 Mi-8, 5 Mi-14 are in storage.
The ground-based air defense system includes up to 42 divisions of the S-75 air defense system (at least 144 standard launchers, another 24 launchers on the T-55 chassis), up to 28 divisions of the S-125M air defense system (at least 60 standard launchers, another 36 on the T-55 chassis ).
In the coming years, only Mi-17 helicopters will remain combat-ready in the Cuban Air Force; all other equipment will be decommissioned.
Navy were unable to maintain most of the Soviet-built ships and boats. Submarine fleet currently consists of four Dolphin-type SMPLs (a variant of the North Korean Yugo-type SMPLs). The largest surface ships- two frigates of the Rio Damuji type. They are former Spanish fishing trawlers, on which P-15U anti-ship missiles from decommissioned missile boats and a ZSU-57-2 land turret were installed. The largest “normal” warship is the Project 1241P corvette.
6 missile pr. 205U and patrol boats: 2–3 Project 205P and 18–30 Project 1400, 5–8 minesweepers (2–3 Project 1265, 3–5 Project 1258).
Up to 3 submarines of Project 641, 1 frigate of Project 1159, about 12 missile submarines and up to 9 torpedo boats, 1–2 minesweepers Project 1265 and up to 7 Project 1258, 1–2 TDK Project 771, but in reality it is unlikely that at least one of those listed is capable of returning to service.
The Cuban Navy has Marines consisting of two battalions. Has significant potential coastal defense. It includes the P-15 anti-ship missile system (including the launchers of these anti-ship missiles, removed from missile boats and installed on the T-55 chassis), as well as A-19, M-46, ML-20 guns (from among those indicated higher).
The only potential enemy of Cuba is the United States; Latin American countries have neither the ability nor the desire for a military invasion of the island. Of course, the potentials of the US and Cuban armed forces are currently completely incomparable. However, the island position and the continued high level of combat and moral-psychological training of personnel make the invasion of Cuba sufficient complex operation even for American aircraft.
Washington will intervene only in the event of serious internal destabilization on the island. Therefore, the current degradation of the Cuban Armed Forces has not yet led to catastrophic consequences for the country. Restoring their potential is unlikely. Russia, of course, could supply Cuba modern technology, but in the current situation she is not ready to do this for free, and Havana does not and will not have money. Moreover, a certain, albeit rather limited, rapprochement between Cuba and the United States has begun. This only makes Havana less willing to spend the missing money on rearmament.
/Alexander Khramchikhin, Deputy Director of the Institute of Political and Military Analysis, vpk-news.ru/
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Story
The beginning of Cuban military aviation began in March 1915, when an aviation corps (FAEC) was created within the army.
In 1917, the first group of Cuban pilots was sent to the USA for training at the Kelly Field aviation center (San Antonio, USA), near Havana - construction of the airfield began, and the first aircraft were received from the USA - four Curtiss-JN trainers -4D.
In 1923, the first combat aircraft were purchased for the US Air Force: four Vought UO-2 reconnaissance aircraft and six DH.4B reconnaissance bombers.
In 1924 total number air force Cuba consisted of 18 officers and 98 lower ranks.
In 1926 most of airplanes were destroyed by a tropical hurricane.
As a result of the air force reform of 1933-1934, “aviation” was created in 1934 naval forces" (Fuerza Aérea Naval, FAN)
In general, in the 1920s-1930s the Air Force consisted of small quantity combat, training and transport aircraft American made.
After the outbreak of World War II, military spending on aviation began to increase, and the National Aviation Academy was created in 1941.
In 1941-1945, the Cuban air force was strengthened by additional supplies of aircraft from the United States (in total, 45 aircraft were received under the Lend-Lease program in 1942-1945).
In 1947, the Cuban air force consisted of 750 people and 55 aircraft.
In the period following the signing of the Inter-American Treaty of Mutual Assistance in Rio de Janeiro in 1947, the Cuban Air Force received American aircraft, ammunition, weapons and spare parts in accordance with the military cooperation treaty.
In 1952, an F-47 fighter jet crashed and burned while landing at an airfield in the military town of Colombia (pilot Perez Piloto was killed).
At the end of 1952, a permanent military mission of the US Air Force was opened in Cuba, and in early 1953, 12 Cuban pilots were sent to the United States under the military assistance program to train as jet fighter pilots (their training was completed on August 31, 1954).
In 1954, when landing at an airfield in the military town of Columbia in conditions heavy wind An F-47 fighter crashed and burned (pilot Alvarez Cortina was hospitalized in serious condition).
In 1955, the Cuban air force consisted of 2,000 personnel. In the same year, the first jet planes- four T-33A (in total, eight T-33 were received from the United States under the military assistance program).
In 1955 naval aviation was incorporated into the Air Force.
Also, during 1955, two more fighters were lost: an F-47 crashed and burned during takeoff from Columbia airfield (pilot Alvaro Prendes was not injured), and a little later, during a military parade, another F-47 smoked and fell into the sea (pilot Lieutenant Singago died).
In April 1957, the first helicopters were purchased from the UK for the Air Force - two Westland Whirlwinds.
As of October 1958, the Cuban army had the following military equipment:
- aircraft: 8 T-33 jet trainers; 15 B-26 bombers; 15 F-47D Thunderbolt fighters; two De Havilland L-20 "Beaver" aircraft; 8 pcs. T-6 "Texan"; 8 AT-6C "Harvard" aircraft; 10 C-47 transport aircraft; one Douglas C-53; 5 pieces. light Piper PA-18; 5 pieces. Piper PA-20 "Pacer"; 4 things. Piper PA-22 "Tri-Pacer" and one Piper PA-23 "Apache".
- helicopters: six helicopters of various types.
Although the basis of F. Batista's air force fleet was American-made aircraft, another 17 Hawker Sea Fury piston fighters were received in November 1958 from Great Britain (of which, as of January 1, 1959, 15 remained in service and transferred part of the revolutionary air force of the government of F. Castro).
- During the fighting, the Cuban Air Force lost several aircraft.
In May 1961, 24 “used” MiG-15bis fighters were received from the USSR, later MiG-15Rbis reconnaissance aircraft and MiG-15UTI trainers were received.
On June 24, 1961, Cuban pilot Chiron Enrique Carreras completed the first solo flight jet fighter MiG-15bis.
In November 1961, eight MiG-19s were received (however, already in 1966, all of them were withdrawn from service).
In March 1962, the first MiG-15bis fighter squadron was formed as part of the Cuban Air Force, and in May 1962, the second MiG-15bis fighter squadron.
In July 1962, 40 MiG-21-F-13 fighters from the 32nd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment of the USSR Air Force arrived in Cuba (which were transferred to the Cuban side in April 1963).
In 1964, the replacement of the MiG-15bis with MiG-17 and MiG-17F fighters of Soviet and Czechoslovak origin (which remained in service until the 1980s) began.
In September 1978, MiG-23s began arriving in Cuba. In total, in 1978-1981, 40 MiG-23BN, 12 MiG-23MF, 54 MiG-23ML and 4 MiG-23UB were received.
Organizational structure
DAAFAR's missions include protecting Cuban airspace, providing tactical and transport support to the Revolutionary Army and Navy, and, if necessary, performing national economic service tasks. The Air Force and Air Defense include 2 mixed fighter-bomber formations, one transport and one transport to serve the leadership. As of 2008, Cuba's airspace is divided into two districts: western and eastern, with respective headquarters located in the cities of San Antonio de los Baños and Holguin.
The Western District is covered by the 2nd Air Force and Air Defense Brigade, which includes the 1779th formation, which has a mixed fighter squadron of 3 MiG-29s remaining in service and up to 10 MiG-23MLs. To solve auxiliary air defense tasks, for example, to intercept slow, low-flying targets, three or four L-39Cs are used; in normal circumstances, they are used as training aircraft. To provide basic training for pilots, Zlin Z-142 trainers are used.
The Eastern District is covered by the Cuartel Moncada Guard Brigade. It also includes the 1779th compound in Holguin. Air defense missions in the district are carried out by several MiG-21 fighters. The district hosts the 3405th special transport connection, whose tasks include serving the government leadership, and the 3688th transport connection, both planes and helicopters operate from Playa Baracoa.
Base points
The following air bases are used by the Cuban Air Force and Air Defense Forces (as of 2006):
Holguin / Base Area Holguin / Frank Pais AP (ICAO code: MUHG)
Runway: Rwy 05/23, Runway Size: 3238 m (10624 ft) x 45 m (148 ft), Elevation: 110 m (361 ft).
La Habana / Base Area Playa Baracoa (ICAO code: MUPB)
Runway: Rwy 02/20, Runway Size: 2305 m (7563 ft) x 45 m (148 ft), Elevation: 31 m (102 ft)
Zona Area Oeste: 2 Brigada "Playa Girón"
Subdivision | Aircraft type | Base |
---|---|---|
Unidad Militar 1779 | San Antonio de los Baños | |
Escuadron de Caza | MiG-29 | San Antonio de los Baños |
Escuadron de Caza | MiG-23ML | San Antonio de los Baños |
Escuadron de Instrucción | MiG-21, L-39C, Z-142 | San Antonio de los Baños |
Escuadron de Helicopteros | Mi-17, Mi-24D | San Antonio de los Baños |
3405.Regimiento Ejecutivo | Playa Baracoa | |
Escuadron de Ejecutivo | An-24, Yak-40, Mi-8P, Il-62/96 | Playa Baracoa |
Zona Area Oriente: 3 Brigada "Cuartel Moncada"
By the 1990s, the Cuban Air Force was ranked as the best in Latin America, both in terms of equipment and training. After the cessation of active military cooperation with the USSR and Russia in the 1990s, Cuban aviation experienced significant difficulties. According to Western data, only two fighter squadrons are combat-ready; about 20 combat aircraft were in flight-worthy condition in 2003-2004, and the pilots’ annual flight time during the same period did not exceed 50 hours.
According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, as of 2007, the number of DAAFAR personnel is estimated at 8 thousand people. 31 combat aircraft, 12 transport aircraft, a number of helicopters and training aircraft are in flightable condition; in addition, it is indicated that another 179 aircraft were in storage.
Equipment and weapons
According to the British website aeroflight.co.uk, the state of the Cuban Air Force fleet in 2006 was as follows:
Type | Image | Production | Quantity | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aircraft | |||||
Combat aircraft | |||||
MiG-29 | USSR USSR | 4 | |||
MiG-23 | ![]() |
USSR USSR | 24 | ||
MiG-21 | ![]() |
USSR USSR | 8 | ||
Transport aircraft | |||||
An-24 | ![]() |
USSR USSR | 4 | ||
An-26 | ![]() |
USSR USSR | 3 | ||
Training aircraft | |||||
L-39 | ![]() |
Czechoslovakia | 7 | ||
Zlin Z-326 | ![]() |
Czechoslovakia | 20 | ||
Helicopters | |||||
Mi-8 | |
USSR USSR | 6 | ||
Mi-17 | ![]() |
USSR USSR Russia |