letectvo

Letectvo is the branch of a country's armed forces responsible for aerial warfare and air operations. Its purpose is to project air power, control the skies, support ground and maritime operations, and conduct logistics and humanitarian missions. Civil aviation is separate from letectvo.

A typical letectvo comprises the aerial forces: aircraft (fighters, bombers, transport, reconnaissance, trainer, and helicopters), unmanned aerial vehicles, air defense systems, air bases, airworthiness and maintenance, air traffic control, and intelligence and communications support. Ground crews, pilots, aircrew, meteorologists, and support personnel operate in combined units such as squadrons and wings. Training institutions prepare pilots and engineers, while logistics and maintenance sustain the fleet.

Core roles include achieving and maintaining air superiority, conducting air interdiction and close air support, providing airlift and resupply, performing strategic reconnaissance, conducting search-and-rescue and medical evacuation, and contributing to disaster relief and humanitarian operations. Modern letectvo also integrates air defense and electronic warfare, space and cyber capabilities, and, increasingly, unmanned systems.

Historically, letectvo emerged with early aviation in the 1910s and evolved through the World Wars, the Cold War, and post-Cold War era. In many countries it has been reorganized and modernized to participate in international alliances and coalitions, such as NATO. Some states maintain separate air forces called by the local term letectvo, with national variations in structure and doctrine.