Here's an interesting news article from Pravda

10/21/2003
"Russia has lost it's army
The armed forces of Russia are in such a condition that we have definitely
come off second best.

The Russian army needs modern helicopters, Russia Air Force
Commander-in-chief Colonel General Vladimir Mikhailov told RIA Novosti
Monday. "The number of modern helicopters of the Ka-50 Black Shark and Mi-26
class makes up about 10 per cent of the total helicopter fleet in Russia's
Air Force." The commander-in-chief says that operational condition of the
country's aviation technology is a bit over 35 per cent now, making it the
most sensitive issue for the Air Force."

http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/...3_defense.html

Pete