MOSCOW. Aug 7: The Russian Air Force is shrinking because it lacks funds to buy new aircraft and its air fleets ’ could be reduced by 25 per cent by the end of the century, according to a report Tuesday, reports AP.

Col. Gen. Pyotr Deinekin. commander of the air force, told the Interfax news agency that the air force had purchased just 233 aircraft since it was created four years ago. He said the air force needs between 300 and 400 new planes annually to replace outmoded models and maintain its strength.

The Russian Air Force inherited some 6,000 planes from the break up of the Soviet Air force.

Russia’s military has been hit badly by government funding problems since the demise of the Soviet Union. The military are short of weapons and other supplies.

Deinekin said the air force was not receiving enough money to maintain aircraft production in state-run factories even at low levels.