Serbian Air Force and Air Defense

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Serbian Air Force and Air Defense


caption= Serbian Air Force
dates= 1912 - 1918
2006 -
garrison= Zemun, Belgrade
garrison_label=AF HQ
patron=Saint Elijah
motto="For Freedom and Honor of the Fatherland"
_sr. "За слободу и част Отаџбине"
current_commander= General-major Dragan Katanić
current_commander_label=Commander of
Serbian AF & AD
ceremonial_chief=General Nebojša Đukanović
ceremonial_chief_label=Chief of
AF & AD HQ
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label= Roundel
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label= Low-Visibility Roundel
aircraft_attack= J-22, G-4, Mi-24, SA.342 GAMA,
aircraft_fighter= MiG-29,cite journal |quotes= |last=News |first= |authorlink= |year= 2007 |month= January |title= Serbian AF restructures |journal= Aircraft Illustrated |volume= 40 |issue= 1 |pages= pp. 16 |id= |url= |accessdate= ] , MiG-21Bis
aircraft_interceptor= MiG-21Bis
aircraft_recon= MiG-21M, IJ-22, INJ-22, SA.341 HERA
aircraft_trainer= Utva 75, G-4, NJ-22
aircraft_transport=An-2, An-26, YAK-40, Mi-8, Mi-17

The Serbian Air Force and Air Defense consists of an array of combat aircraft, cargo aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, UAV, combat helicopters, cargo/utility helicopters, radars and SAMs.

History

Tasks

Air Force and Air Defense is the youngest and the most advanced branch encompassing branches and services whose organization, structure, armaments and equipment are tailored to perform combat activities in aerial targets and on the ground. It's tasks are:

* control over the air space;
* deterring armed threats from the air and prevention of sudden attacks;
* air defense of the territory and SAF;
* providing aircraft fire support;
* participation in peace keeping operation and in international military cooperation;
* addressing natural disasters, catastrophes and accidents.

Organization

*
**"' "210th Signal Battalion"
**"' "333rd Engineering Battalion"
*
**101. Fighter-Aviation Squadron
**252. Mixed-Aviation Squadron
**138. Mixed-Transport-Aviation Squadron
**1. Reconnaissance Aviation Section
**24. Air Force Technical Battalion
**17. Air Base Security Battalion
**117. Air Force Air Defense Artillery Battalion
*"' "98th Air Base"
**241. Fighter-Bomber-Aviation Squadron
**714. Anti-Armored Helicopter Squadron
**119. Combined-Arms Helicopter Squadron
**2. Reconnaissance Aviation Section
**24. Air Force Technical Battalion
**161. Air Base Security Battalion
**98. Air Base Security Battalion
**98. Air Force Air Defense Artillery Battalion
*"' "250th Air Defense Missile Brigade"
**Command Battery
**1. Air Force Air Defense Missile Battalion - using S-125 Neva (SA-3)s
**2. Air Force Air Defense Missile Battalion - using S-125 Neva (SA-3)s
**3. Air Force Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Battalion - using 2K12 Kub (SA-6)
**4. Air Force Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Battalion - using 2K12 Kub (SA-6)
**5. Air Force Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Battalion - using 2K12 Kub (SA-6)
*"' "126th Center for Air Reconnaissance"
** Command Company
**20. Air Reconnaissance Battalion
**31. Air Reconnaissance Battalion
** Company for air force-technical and technical maintenance and procurement

Equipment

Serbian Air Force fleet

Fixed-wing aircraft

! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Origin! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Type! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"| Variants ! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Number! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Notes
-! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Fighter Aircraft
-----
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29B / MiG-29UB Fulcrum
Russia
Fighter
Trainer - Fighter
L-18
NL-18
4
1
Currently four aircraft operational
(No.18101, No.18105, No.18108 and UB version - 18301).
One more will be overhauled,modernized and put back into service in beginning of next year.
[http://www.rts.co.yu/page/stories/ci.html?view=story&id=14933&sectionId=1]
-----
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
USSR
Fighter
Trainer - Fighter
Recon - Fighter
MiG-21 Bis
MiG-21 UM
MiG-21 M
25
6
1
Some 8 operational, to be retired by 2011.
-! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Ground-Attack Aircraft
-----
Soko J-22 Orao
SRB
Ground Attack
Attack - Trainer
Recon
Recon - Trainer
J-22
NJ-22
IJ-22
INJ-22
15
7
8
2
32 in total [ [http://www.vojska.mod.gov.yu/eng/naoruzanje/vipvo/avioni/Orao.html Serbian Armed Forces ] ]
---! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport and Liaison Aircraft
-----
Antonov An-2TD1 Colt
USSR/POL
Utility transport/paratroop training
T-71
1 [ [http://www.vojska.mod.gov.yu/eng/naoruzanje/vipvo/avioni/AN-2TD.html Serbian Armed Forces ] ]
Made in Poland
-----
Dornier Do 28
GER
Light military transport
-
1 [http://www.airliners.net/photo/Serbia---Air/Dornier-Do-28D-2-Skyservant/1403308&tbl=photo_info&photo_nr=13&sok=keyword_%28%5C%27%2B%5C%22belgrade%5C%22%5C%27_IN_BOOLEAN_MODE%29%29_&sort=_order_by_photo_id_DESC_&prev_id=1403309&next_id=1403262]
-----
Antonov An-26B Curl
Russia
Medium military transport
T-70
6
One modernized, one more to undergo an overhaul during 2009, remaining aircraft are used for spare parts
-----
Yakovlev Yak-40 Codling
Russia
VIP Transport/Navaid Calibration
Yak-40
2
VIP version overhauled in Belarus.(No.71503 and 71504)
-! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Trainer Aircraft
-----
Soko G-4 Super Galeb
SRB
Armed Advanced Jet Trainer
Unarmed Advanced Jet Trainer
Target Puller
Prototype
N-62
G-4Š
G-4T
G-4M
13
8
2
1
24 in total. 15 will be modernized and be used until 2030 [ [http://www.vojska.mod.gov.yu/eng/naoruzanje/vipvo/avioni/G-4.html Serbian Armed Forces ] ]
-----
Soko G-2 Galeb
SRB
Trainer
N-60
1
No. 23252
-----
Lola Utva 75
SRB
Basic/Primary Trainer
V-53
12
To be replaced with new Lasta 95Fact|date=January 2008
-! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | UAV
-----
Aeronautics Defense Systems - Orbiter [ [http://www.glas-javnosti.co.yu/clanak/vesti/glas-javnosti-07-10-2008/pet-miliona-dolara-za-deset-spijuna] ]
ISR
Basic/Primary Reconnaissance
-
10
Possible 10 more on order

Helicopters

! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Aircraft! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Origin! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Type! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"| Variants ! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Number! style="text-align: center; background: lightsteelblue;"|Notes
-! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Attack Helicopters
-----
Soko SA 341H/342L1 Gazelle Gama
FRA/YUG
Anti-Tank Helicopter
HN-42M Gama
HN-45M Gama2
19
11
Total of 61 Gazelle Helicopters [ [http://www.vojska.mod.gov.yu/eng/naoruzanje/vipvo/helihopteri/gazela.html Serbian Armed Forces ] ]
-----
Mil Mi-24 Hind
Russia
Attack Helicopter
Mil Mi-24V
2
To be overhauled and modernized in Russia.
-! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport and Utility Helicopters
-----
Soko SA 341H/342L1 Gazelle
FRA/YUG
Light Utility Helicopter
Reccon Helicopter
HO-42/45
HI-42 Hera
29
2
Total of 61 Gazelle Helicopters. [ [http://www.vojska.mod.gov.yu/eng/naoruzanje/vipvo/helihopteri/gazela.htlm] ]
-----
Mil Mi-8/17 Hip
Russia
Medium Transport Helicopter
Mil Mi-8T
Mil Mi-17V
28
2
Three currently operational, another three will be sent for an overhaul.There is also a plan for getting one or two new Mi-171sh [ [http://www.vojska.mod.gov.yu/eng/naoruzanje/vipvo/helihopteri/mi-8.html Serbian Armed Forces ] ]

Air Defense Weapons and Equipment

AMs

Used by 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade:
*S-125 Neva (SA-3) - 60
*2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) - 80

MANPADS

Used by 117th Air Force Air Defense Artillery Battalion and 98. Air Force Air Defense Artillery Battalion:

*9K310 Igla-1 (SA-16 Gimlet)
*9K38 Igla (SA-18 Grouse)

Anti-Aircraft Artillery

Used by 117th Air Force Air Defense Artillery Battalion and 98. Air Force Air Defense Artillery Battalion:
*Bofors 40 mm gun L/70

Radars

Used by 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade, 117th Air Force Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 98th Air Force Air Defense Artillery Battalion and 126th Center for Air Reconnaissance/Intelligence and Guidance
*P-12 and P-14 Observation radars
*Altitude measurement radar PRV - 11
*S-605/654 Observation radars
*S-613 Altitude measurement radar
*TPS-63 Observation radar
*AN/TPS-70 3D radar
*AS-74 and AS-84 automatized systems
*GIRAFFE Radar

Current status

Air Force

The Air Force fleet today consists of many Russian and indigenous combat aircraft. Today, the Air Force has 29 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21s and 5 MiG-29s. Currently, only four MiG-29s which have come back from overhaul at Russia,last will arrive in 2009. Unlike the 2006, when only four MiG-21's were flyig due to the fuel problems, now there are about eight very active Mig-21's. The MiG-29s were purchased in 1987, while MiG-21Bis aircraft were purchased between 1977 and 1983. The Air Force is looking to replace the aging Migs with a new multi-role fighter. The JNA had plans to replace MiG-21s with Novi Avion in the 1990s but the wars stopped all projects. All of these MiGs are located at the Batajnica Air Base, as part of 101st Fighter Aviation Squadron (ex 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment).

The Air Force also has many former-Yugoslav aircraft. These combat aircraft included the G-4 Super Galeb and the J-22 Orao. Reliable figures about the number of these aircraft still in service are hard to find but data indicates that there are 16 attack J-22s, 7 attack-trainer NJ-22s, 8 IJ-22s and 2 INJ-22s attack-spy aircraft and about 25 G-4 light attack jet trainers. This count does not include about 100 aircraft consisting of J-22s, J-21s, G-4s, and G-2s which were withdrawn from service during the 1990s in order for Yugoslavia to conform to the CFE Treaty. All J-22 Oraos are currently located at the Lađevci Airbase as the main strike fighter of 241st Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron and 2nd Reconnaissance Aviation Section. Two G-4 Super Galebs are located at Lađevci as part of 241st Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron, while others are located at Batajnica in 252nd Mixed-Aviation Squadron.

The Air Force consists of cargo aircraft such as the Russian Antonov An-26, An-2, and the Yakovlev Yak-40. Currently two Yak-40s are in the fleet,used for VIP transport. Currently 2 An-26's are in operation today, the rest are stored in hangers and used for spare parts to keep the two youngest operational An-26's in good condition while waiting new replacement for aging An-26 fleet.

Combat helicopters include the SA.341/342 Gazelle, a French-designed helicopter built under license in Yugoslavia at SOKO, which is armed with 2 air-to-air missiles and 4 tank-hunter missiles. Serbia has about 61 examples of these combat helicopters. The Gazelles are located at both 204th Air Base and
Lađevci Airbase in 252nd Mixed-Aviation Squadron (for training) and 138th Mixed-Transport-Aviation Squadron (for fire support and light transport) at Batajnica Air Base, in 714. Anti-Armored Helicopter Squadron (anti-tank versions GAMA) at Lađevci Airbase and 119th Combined-Arms Helicopter Squadron (suppoert for special forces) at Niš Air Base. The Serbian Air Force also consists of a very small amount of Mi-8 transport helicopters, 2 Mi-17 transport and 2 Mi-24 attack helicopters. The Mi-24s and Mi-17 are ex-JSO helicopters transferred to the air force in 2006. The Mi-24's, Mi-17's and 3 Mi-8 helicopters are awaiting modernization. They will are to return to service early 2009. Currently there are about five Mi-8T helicopters in flying condition while the rest are used for spare parts.

Fate of Serbian MiG-29s

In January 2006, the media briefly reported that 5 MiG-29s under the possession of Serbia were to be repaired and returned to operational service since Serbian MiG-29 operations ceased since April 2004. Previous news states that the work would be carried out by Serbia's Moma Stanojlović overhaul facility along with the company of Mikoyan Gurevich. The plan previously was to repair 2 or 3 of them by fall 2006, and the rest by 2007. As of July, it is now uncertain if Moma Stanojlović will even get a part of the job, facilities in Russia are supposedly more likely to carry out the work. Either way, all MiG-29s will be returned to service latest by end 2008. The National Investment Plan has approved about 10 million Euros for overhaul of five MiG-29's (2 million € per one aircraft).

In October 2007, firs two Fulcrums, MiG-29 No.18101 and MiG-29UB No.18301 have been loaded and shipped to Russia, and they are now back in to the service. During the "Sretenje 2008" military exercise, MiG-29 18101 flown by Colonel Nebojša Đukanović, Chief of AF & AD HQ, has made his first flight and it was first Fulcrum flying over Serbia after 2004 when Serbia and Montenegro Air Force ceased MiG-29 operations. Currently in Serbian Air Force there are only eight pilots who can fly on MiG-29 and soon there will be more of them when training on MiG-29UB (18301) start. Last MiG will be back to service until the end of first quartet of 2008. The repair and overhaul will be done by Russian MiG with help from Moma Stanojlović overhaul institute in Serbia.

erbian Air Defense

The Serbian Air Force and Air Defense system contains a wide variety of ex-Soviet and ex-Yugoslav model surface to air missiles. Many are long range with a moderate amount of short range weapons that are employed by the infantry units. The Air Defense units are in first plan of modernization of Serbian AF&AD. Radar and communication system are in need of complete replacement. Communication systems are to be purchased from France, after a recent meeting with French counter part, the defense minister has stated.

Future plans

Future goals are to reorganize and retrain the air force to operate to NATO standards by 2010. The ministry of defense has planned more funds to be provided to help modernize the air force completely. Reorganization has already been completed and plans for new aircraft are well under way. Currently, Air force and Air Defense is the most professional branch of Military of Serbia with very small percent of conscripts.

Serbian Air Force is currently overhauling the last MiG-29 aircraft of totaly five of them, which were overhauled. [http://www.vojska.mod.gov.yu/eng/index.php?action=fullnews&id=168 Serbian Armed Forces ] ] . The National Investment Plan has approved about 10 million € for an overhaul of five MiG-29s, 7,6 million € for an overhaul and modernization of two Mi-24 Hind gunship helicopters, 2,4 million € for an overhaul of three Mi-8T cargo helicopters, while the NIP gave last year 1,5 million € for modernization of one An-26 tactical transport aircraft. The overhaul/modernization of one An-26, four MiG-29s and one Yak-40 is completed, the overhaul of three Mi-8s will be done until September 2008, and Mi-24 and Mi-17 helicopter will be sent to Russia. Also, one more An-26 will be sent to Russia to be overhauled.

Currently the Air Defense have in plan to modernize the Neva and Kub SAM's, and replace old Utva 75 trainers with new Lasta 95 aircraft. Advancement of infrastructure was the repair of runway No.3 at Batajnica Air Base and planned repair of 126. VOJIN center. [ [http://www.mod.gov.yu/000english/index-e.php?action=fullnews&id=595 Republic of Serbia - Ministry of defence ] ]

The Air Force will get 14 - 20 fighters to replace MiG-21's, 15 new helicopters to replace Mi-8 and 3-4 new transport aircraft (to replace An-26's and An-2 after 2014.

The Commander of Serbian Air Force and Air Defense, General-major Dragan Katanić has said in interview to media agency "Beta" that Air Force is planing to buy two new Mi-17 multi-role medium helicopters from Russia and also to modernize 15 G-4 Super Galeb trainer/light attack jet aircraft. As the General-major Katanić said, the Mi-17 Hip helicopter is selected because it's optimum for military and civilian necessaries, because it can be used also for fire-fight duties and a lot of Serbian helicopter pilots and mechanics have a lot experience on older Mi-8 Hip helicopters, so the training and education of them won't be so expensive. Katanjić also said that the Serbian Ministry of defense will decide which foreign company will do the modernization and digitalization of Super Galeb aircraft. Super Galebs should be equip with the most modern electronic equipment which will enable the use of Smart bombs and laser guided missiles. The modernized Super Galebs should stay in service until 2030, while the other, non modernized G-4s will stay in service until 2015. [http://www.vojska.mod.gov.yu/eng/index.php?action=fullnews&id=361 MAJOR GEENRAL KATANIC IN AN INTERVIEW TO BETA NEWS AGENCY ]

Aircraft markings

Shortly after the secession of Montenegro in 2006, Serbia quickly changed the Yugoslav tricolor roundel to a Serbian tricolor by a simple repaint of the existing emblems. Later in 2006, the Serbian government portrayed a new roundel for their air force that will replace the repainted Yugoslav tricolor roundels originally adopted in 1992. The new roundel is composed of a blue trim on the outside rim followed inward by the Serbian national colors red, blue, and white, with a white cross in the center with blue trim. The roundel is based on the Royal Yugoslav Air Force's emblem from the late 1920s to 1940s.

New 2 shade gray low visibility coloring scheme has been presented in public for first time during the "Čenej 2008" air show. The new coloring scheme in combination with low visibility roundels is used on all four operational MiG-29 fighters. Other aircraft in air force have standard red-blue-white roundels and old standard coloring schemes.

Ranks and insignia

See also

*Museum of Aviation in Belgrade
*Air Force of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro
*SFR Yugoslav Air Force
*Yugoslav Royal Air Force

References

*Air Forces Monthly Magazine, Aeroflight
*Vazduhoplovstvo Srbije na Solunskom frontu 1916-1918, Vladeta D. Vojinovic, 2000
*Srpska Avijatika 1912-1918; MJV, Sky, EUROSINI; 1992
*Inventory of Air Force http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/yugo/serbaf_current_inventory.htm
*http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/yugo/jkrv/yugo-af1-home.htm

External links

* [http://www.mod.gov.yu Serbian Ministry of Defense]
* [http://www.vojska.mod.gov.yu/eng/jedinice/vipvo/vipvo.htm Official Website]

European topic
title = Air Forces in Europe
suffix = _Air_Force
countries_only=yes |UK_only=yes