Imperial Volnian Air Service¶
Service chief: Marshal of the Imperial Volnian Air Service Active strength: ~45,000 Doctrine: Air defense of the imperial heartland; tactical strike in support of ground operations; strategic transport
The Imperial Volnian Air Service (IVAS) is the empire's air arm — smaller than the Federation Air Force and qualitatively a generation behind FSA platforms, but with a strong tradition in heavy interceptors and a substantial strategic-airlift capability.
Major Commands¶
Imperial Air Defense Command (PVO)¶
Strategic air and missile defense of the empire.
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Imperial Interceptor Regiments — heavy interceptors (Volnian-developed twin-engine designs)
- Imperial SAM Defense Network — S-class long-range surface-to-air missile systems across the Volkha basin and southern coast
- Integrated air-defense radar belt along the Verkhal Spine
Imperial Frontal Aviation Command (FA)¶
Tactical air support to ground operations.
- 1st and 2nd Fighter-Bomber Regiments — multi-role fighters (Volnian-developed Su-class)
- 3rd Close Support Regiment — dedicated CAS / strike (heavy ground-attack platforms)
- Imperial Attack Helicopter Brigade — Mi-class attack helicopters
Imperial Long-Range Aviation Command (DA)¶
Strategic bomber and reconnaissance aviation.
- 1st Heavy Bomber Regiment — T-class strategic bombers (the empire's nuclear-capable arm)
- 2nd Maritime Patrol Regiment — long-range maritime reconnaissance
- Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron — high-altitude / long-range ISR
Imperial Military Transport Aviation (VTA)¶
Strategic and tactical airlift.
- 1st Heavy Lift Regiment — strategic transport (Il-class)
- 2nd Tactical Lift Regiment — tactical airlift
- Air Refueling Squadron — limited aerial-refueling capability
Equipment posture¶
The IVAS operates a mature inventory of Volnian-developed aircraft — designs that are competent but lag the latest FSA, Choktovakian, and Leipzisch platforms. Since WDP accession in 2026 the empire has begun acquisition discussions for selected FSA platforms (principally F-15EX multi-role fighters and KC-46 tanker aircraft) to backfill the most pressing capability gaps.
The empire's traditional strength in heavy interceptor aviation is undiminished: the Imperial Interceptor Regiments fly the heaviest twin-engine fighters on Europa and dominate the high-altitude air-defense intercept mission across the imperial homeland.
Squadron sizes¶
| Regiment type | Aircraft | Personnel |
|---|---|---|
| Fighter | ~24 | ~200 |
| Fighter-bomber | ~24 | ~200 |
| Bomber | ~12 | ~250 |
| Transport | ~12 | ~180 |
| Attack-helicopter brigade | ~36 attack + ~36 utility | ~600 |