Russia has created a new branch of its armed forces by merging the nation’s air force, air defense, anti-missile and space forces into the Aerospace Forces, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

He made the announcement at a teleconference on Monday , adding that their first combat duty started on August 1, according to Sputnik.

“The creation of the Aerospace Forces by merging the air force and aerospace defense force is the optimal way of improving the system of the nation's aerospace defense," Shoigu was quoted as saying.

The current Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Viktor Bondarev, has been put in charge of the new branch.

The Aerospace Force is responsible for centralized control over the combat air forces, air defense forces, and anti-missile defense network as well as the launch and control of the spacecraft of Russia’s orbit group and control over aerospace.