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<br>'''Anti-aircraft systems'''<br>
<br>'''Anti-aircraft systems'''<br>
The anti-aircraft systems are well maintained and are "100% operational", as quoted by Gen.Kantanic. In the long-term the entire system will be replaced with modern medium altitude equipment. The current system relies on past generations technology which relies on terminal imaging. It proved effective in certain tasks during the [[1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia|NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]]. Serbia was a part of the former [Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]]. Therefore the system will be "lightly modernized" which will not cost a lot yet will provide additional defense capabilities.<ref>http://www.odbrana.mod.gov.rs/odbrana078/10-13.pdf</ref>
The anti-aircraft systems are well maintained and are "100% operational", as quoted by Gen.Kantanic. In the long-term the entire system will be replaced with modern medium altitude equipment. The current system relies on past generations technology which relies on terminal imaging. It proved effective in certain tasks during the [[1999 NATO bombing of Yugoslavia|NATO bombing of Yugoslavia]]. Serbia was a part of the former [Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]]. Therefore the system will be "lightly modernized" which will not cost a lot yet will provide additional defense capabilities.<ref>http://www.odbrana.mod.gov.rs/odbrana078/10-13.pdf</ref>
<br>'''Radar system'''<br>
[[Northrop Grumman Corporation]] has been selected to modernize air ground radio system communications throughout Serbia. This project was implemented in order to increase the numbers of commercial and military flights that could be monitored in Serbia's airspace. The project commenced on December 2008.<ref>http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=148708</ref>


==Organization==
==Organization==

Revision as of 00:34, 22 April 2009

Serbian Air Force and Air Defense
Active1912 - 1918
2006 -
Size3,000+ personnel
180 aircraft
AF HQZemun, Belgrade
PatronSaint Elijah
Motto(s)Serbian: За слободу и част Отаџбине
"For Freedom and Honor of the Fatherland"
Commanders
Commander of AF & ADLt. General Dragan Katanić
Chief of
AF & AD HQ		General Nebojša Đukanović
Insignia
Roundel
Low-Visibility RoundelFile:Roundel of the Serbian Air Force 2006 (low vis).svg
Aircraft flown
AttackJ-22, G-4, Mi-24, SA.342 GAMA,
FighterMiG-29,[1], MiG-21Bis
InterceptorMiG-21Bis
ReconnaissanceMiG-21M, IJ-22, INJ-22, SA.341 HERA
TrainerUtva 75, G-4, NJ-22
TransportAn-2, An-26, Do 28, Yak-40, Mi-8, Mi-17

The Serbian Air Force and Air Defense ([Ваздухопловство и противваздушна одбрана - В и ПВО or Vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazdušna odbrana - V i PVO] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help)) is the air force of Serbia and the part of Serbian Armed Forces. It consists of an array of combat aircraft, cargo aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, UAV, combat helicopters, cargo/utility helicopters, radars and SAMs.

Tasks

Air Force and Air Defense is tasked to undertake combat activities against ground and aerial targets, specifically:

  • Control of the air space.
  • Deterring armed threats from the air and preventing sudden attacks.
  • Air Defense of the territory and Serbian Air Force.
  • Providing aircraft fire support.
  • Participation in peace-keeping operations and international military cooperation.
  • Responding to natural disasters, catastrophes and other incidents.

History

First Serbian squadron composed with 12 Dorand AR.2 and 3 Nieuport 14 C1 biplanes in 1918
Main article: Serbian Air Force History

The idea to form air forces in the Serbian Army was first mentioned in the General Army Formation Act from August 2 1893. This act envisioned that within each division of the Army of the Kingdom of Serbia be formed one air force balloon company. Template:Srpskavojska Twenty years later, in 1912, a group of Kingdom of Serbia officers were sent abroad to school- to a Pilot Training Program in France. At the same time three Blériot XI-2 * aircraf were purchased and by the Act of the Minister of War Marshal Radomir Putnik, on 24 September 1912 an Air Force Command was established in Niš. This places Serbia as one the first 15 states in the world to have had military air force at those times. A year later, during the siege of the town of Shkodra, Serbian Air Force had their baptism of fire.

The pilots soon applied the experience gained in the Balkan wars to the World War I battles, thus becoming a worthy opponent to the stronger enemy forces. On 17 September 1915, according to the Julian calendar, that is 30 September in Gregorian calendar, Serbian Air Defense members shot down the first of many enemy airplanes over Kragujevac. This day was, by the Act of king Aleksandar I, proclaimed the Air Defense Artillery Division’s day. At the Thessaloniki front line, with the support of the Allied force, Serbian Air Forces were reorganized. First, Serbian-French joint escadrilles were formed, and by the end of 1916 a Nieuport division, while at the beginning and in mid 1918 the First and Second Serbian Fighter Escadrilles were formed.

The period between two world wars was marked by a significant growth of our Air Forces, accompanied by the production of modern and sophisticated aircraft, with then ongoing organizational-formation changes within the Air Force. As of 1924, 2 August, the Saint Elijah day was observed as the patron saint day of Serbian Air Forces, with the Saint Elijah the Lightning Bearer as a patron saint of military and other pilots of then existing Yugoslavian Kingdom.

Current status

Air Force

Structure of Air Force and Air Defense

The Air Force fleet consists of many Russian and indigenous combat aircraft. Today, the Air Force has 32 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21s and 5 MiG-29s. Currently, only four MiG-29s which have come back from overhaul, the remainder will return in 2009. Since 2006, when only four MiG-21s were flying due to fuel problems, there are now about ten Mig-21's in active service. The two operational MiG-21UM's are heavily used as two pilots can receive the benefit of the flight. The MiG-29s were purchased in 1987, while the 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 former-Yugoslav Air Force had plans to replace MiG-21s with Novi Avion in the 1990s but the wars stopped all projects. All of the MiGs are located at the Batajnica Air Base, as part of 101st Fighter Aviation Squadron (ex 204th Fighter Aviation Regiment).[2]

The Air Force also has many former-Yugoslav made 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 15 attack J-22 and 7 attack-trainer NJ-22 aircraft and 24 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 Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control. Most of J-22 Oraos are currently located at the Lađevci Airbase as the main strike fighters of 241st Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron, while a few aircraft (used previously by ex-252nd Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron, but currently not serviceable) are located at Batajnica AB. They will soon be relocated to Lađevci AB following overhaul at "Moma Stanojlović" air force Technical and Overhaul Institute located at Batajnica. Two or three G-4 Super Galebs are located at Lađevci as part of 241st Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron, while others are located at Batajnica in the 252nd Mixed-Aviation Squadron, mainly used for basic and advanced training of new pilots from the Military Academy and also used in ground-attack role. There are also 12 Utva 75 basic trainer aircraft operated by 252nd Mixed-Aviation Squadron for primary training and selection of new pilots from the Military Academy.[3]

Serbian Air Defense

The Serbian Air Force and Air Defense system possesses 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 the first phase of modernization of the Serbian AF&AD. The Radar and communication system are in need of complete replacement. Communication systems are to be purchased from France on the level of entire Serbian Military, after a recent meeting with French counter part, the defense minister has stated.

After a reorganization of the Serbian Armed Forces, all S-125 "Neva-M1T" and 2K12 "Kub-M" surface to air missile systems are in service with 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade, which consists of three battalions at Novi Sad, Niš, Kragujevac (equipped with "Kub-M"), and two battalions at Batajnica Air Base and Banjica (equipped with "Neva") and command battery also located at Banjica. The "Neva-M" have already been upgraded to the "Neva-M1T" standard by Lola systems. The "Kub" systems are also going to be upgraded.[4]

Each air base has its air defense battalion equipped with Bofors 40 mm guns L/70, Igla MANPADs and GIRAFFE Radars, similar to the land forces brigades air defense battalions.

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 totally five of them, which were overhauled. [5]. 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.

The Air Force will get 14 - 20 fighters to replace MiG-21's and 10-15 new helicopters to replace Mi-8 after 2014.

The Commander of Serbian Air Force and Air Defense, Major-General Dragan Katanić has said in interview to media agency "Beta" that Air Force is planning 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 Major-General 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 G-4 Galeb aircraft. Upgrades include the most modern electronic equipment which will enable the use of Smart bombs and laser guided missiles. The modernized G-4's should stay in service until 2030, while the other, non modernized G-4s will stay in service until 2015.


Mobile Equipment
The replacement of obsolete equipment is a dominant part of the reform protocol. A lot of the existing arsenal and equipment are composed from the Yugoslav era.

The Air Force was until recently the most neglected branch of the armed forces. The injection of capital has helped strengthen the youngest branch in the army. Serbia will acquire 24 to 30 new multi-role fighter aircraft to replace the aging MiG-21 squadron which is due to retire in 2010. A tender for the replacement will be announced in 2011 and completed by 2014.[6] At present the air force has modernized MiG-29s. The air force will also modernize 15 G-4 Super Galeb's to G-4MD standard. Tenders for new transport helicopters and aircraft will be announced before 2011. The transport helicopters are to be used for medical transportation for peacekeeping missions.

Serbia has a long history of domestic aerospace development and is currently developing laser guided missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles for both domestic use and export.

Serbia has acquired Israeli made UAV's to meet current needs.


Acquisition of trainer aircraft
Lasta 95 is the new trainer aircraft used for teaching new military pilots the fundamentals of airplane flying.[7] This new model of the plane, Lasta 95, is symbolic because it will be the first airplane fully produced in Serbia in more than a decade. The airplane is equipped with modern equipment including GPS navigation. It has the capability of carrying air to air and air to surface rockets, cannons and bombs, that are used for training. This makes a transition to advanced military airplanes such as G-4 Super Galeb, Mig 29's easier for military pilots. Additionally, Lasta 95 provides relatively cheaper cost of flying hours. The plane is also relatively inexpensive if it's damaged or destroyed.


G-4M Super Galeb
The air force will modernize 15 G-4 Super Galebs to domestically produced G-4MD standard. G-4 is an trainer/fighter aircraft. There was a tactical study done on the airplane, and it was found that the airplane is competent in modern operations. The tactical study results along with previous modernization plans were combined in a single modernization blueprint. Right now the Ministry of Defense is looking for a strategic partnership that will realize the proposals found in the blueprint. The work is expected to last a couple of years and will mainly focus on the modernization of the cockpit. The upgrades will include improvements in maneuvering, control of weaponry, laser guided weapons, and addition of virtual radars. In the world is customary for the pilots to spend 60% of training hours flying the actual airplane that they will use in combat. The other 40% of the training is done on the top-of-the-line airplanes which are expensive to fly. After the modernization G-4 will be an entirely new airplane, fully digitalized and modernized, with specifications that allow for training and possible military engagements. The modernization will allow the G-4 to be used until 2030 according to Gen.Kantanic.[8]


Anti-aircraft systems
The anti-aircraft systems are well maintained and are "100% operational", as quoted by Gen.Kantanic. In the long-term the entire system will be replaced with modern medium altitude equipment. The current system relies on past generations technology which relies on terminal imaging. It proved effective in certain tasks during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. Serbia was a part of the former [Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]]. Therefore the system will be "lightly modernized" which will not cost a lot yet will provide additional defense capabilities.[9]
Radar system
Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected to modernize air ground radio system communications throughout Serbia. This project was implemented in order to increase the numbers of commercial and military flights that could be monitored in Serbia's airspace. The project commenced on December 2008.[10]

Organization



Equipment

Serbian Air Force fleet

Template:Standard table ! style="text-align: left; background: lightsteelblue;"|Aircraft ! style="text-align: left; background: lightsteelblue;"|Photo ! style="text-align: left; background: lightsteelblue;"|Origin ! style="text-align: left; background: lightsteelblue;"|Type ! style="text-align: left; background: lightsteelblue;"|  Variants   ! style="text-align: left; background: lightsteelblue;"|Number ! style="text-align: left; background: lightsteelblue;"|Notes |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Fighter Aircraft |----- | MiG-29 | |  Russia | Fighter
Trainer - Fighter | MiG-29B / L-18
MiG-29UB / NL-18 | 4
1 | Currently 4 operational, 1 more on overhaul |----- | MiG-21 | |  Soviet Union | Fighter
Trainer - Fighter
Recon - Fighter | MiG-21bis / L-17
MiG-21UM / NL-16
MiG-21M / L-15 | 24
7
1 | Operational are 10 L-17, two NL-16 an one L-15. |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Ground-Attack Aircraft |----- | Soko Orao | |  Yugoslavia | Ground Attack
Attack - Trainer
Recon
Recon - Trainer | J-22
NJ-22
IJ-22
INJ-22 | 15
7
8
2 | 32 in service |----- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport and Liaison Aircraft |----- | Antonov An-2 | File:An-2 srj.jpg |  Poland | Utility transport/paratroop training | An-2TD1 / T-71 | 1[11] | |----- | Antonov An-26 | |  Russia | Medium military transport | An-26B / T-70 | 8 | 2 currently operational |----- | Yakovlev Yak-40 | |  Russia | VIP Transport/Navaid Calibration | Yak-40 | 3 |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Trainer Aircraft |----- | Soko G-4 Super Galeb | |  Yugoslavia | Armed Advanced Jet Trainer
Unarmed Jet Trainer
Target Puller
Prototype | G-4 / N-62
G-4Š / N-62Š
G-4T / N-62T
G-4M / N-62M | 14
6
3
1 | 24 in service. 15 will be modernized to G-4MD standard. |----- | Soko G-2 Galeb | |  Yugoslavia | Jet Trainer | G-2 / N-60 | 1 | Non combatant, used by Technical Testing Center. |----- | Utva 75 | |  Yugoslavia | Basic/Primary Trainer | V-53 | 12 | To be replaced with new Lasta 95[12] |----- | Lasta 95 | |  Serbia | Basic/Primary Trainer | N-63 | 1 | Evaluating |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | UAV's |----- | Orbiter UAV | |  Israel | Reconnaissance UAV | | 10[13] |Possible 10 more on order. |----- | IBL-2000 | |  Serbia | Reconnaissance UAV | | | |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Attack Helicopters |----- | Soko Gazelle Gama | File:Gazelle srj.jpg |  France
 Yugoslavia | Anti-Tank | HN-42m/45m
HO-42/45
HI-42 Hera | 19
11 | Total of 61 Gazelle Helicopters.[14] |----- | Mil Mi-24 | |  Soviet Union | Attack Helicopter | Mi-24V / HN-48 | 2 | To be overhauled and modernized in Russia in 2009. |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport and Utility Helicopters |----- | Soko Gazelle | File:Soko SA-342L HERA.jpg |  France
 Yugoslavia | Light Utility/Reccon | HO-42/45
HI-42 Hera | 29
2 | Total of 61 Gazelle Helicopters.[15] |----- | Mil Mi-8/17 | File:Mi-17 of SAF.jpg |  Soviet Union | Medium Transport Helicopter | Mi-8T / HT-40
Mi-17 / HT-47 | 16
2 | 5 currently operational, 3 Mi-8's and 2 Mi-17's sent for overhaul. plans to acquire 2 Mi-171sh.[16] |}

Air Defense Weapons and Equipment

Neva of 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade
2P25M and P-40 radar of 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade

SAMs

Used by 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade:

Both systems are under modernization. Systems will acquire fire and forget SA-17 capabilities.

MANPADS

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

Anti-Aircraft Artillery

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

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

Aircraft markings

The Serbian Air Force roundel was officially adopted in 2006. The roundel is an adapted version of the former Royal Yugoslav Air Force roundel which ceased to exist in 1943. It 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 Air Force also uses a low visibility roundel of the same design only replacing the traditional roundel colours of red,blue and white with two gray colour variations of light and dark for contrast, these roundels have most recently been placed on refurbished MiG-29's. Most other aircraft continue to use the standard coloured roundel.

Ranks and insignia

Main article: Serbian military ranks and insignia
Generals Officers
Ranks in Serbian Генерал
General		 Генерал-Потпуковник
General-Potpukovnik		 Генерал-Мајор
General-Major		 Бригадни Генерал
Brigadni General		 Пуковник
Pukovnik		 Потпуковник
Potpukovnik		 Мајор
Major		 Капетан
Kapetan		 Поручник
Poručnik		 Потпоручник
Potporučnik
Ranks General Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier General Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Sub-Lieutenant
NCOs Soldiers
Ranks in Serbian Заставник I класе
Zastavnik I klase		 Заставник
Zastavnik		 Старији Водник I класе
Stariji Vodnik I klase		 Старији Водник
Stariji Vodnik		 Водник
Vodnik		 Млађи водник
Mlađi vodnik		 Десетар
Desetar		 Разводник
Razvodnik
Ranks Warrant Officer, 1st class Warrant Officer Senior Sergeant 1st class Senior Sergeant Sergeant Junior Sergeant Corporal Private

See also

References

  1. ^ News (2007). "Serbian AF restructures". Aircraft Illustrated. 40 (1): pp. 16. {{cite journal}}: |last= has generic name (help); |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |quotes= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  2. ^ http://www.vs.rs/index.php?content=781f64a8-f737-102b-bdc2-a0672172d7df
  3. ^ http://www.scribd.com/doc/7371884/SRV-1
  4. ^ http://jmr.janes.com/public/jmr/surface_to_air.shtml
  5. ^ Serbian Armed Forces
  6. ^ http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/08/11/310538/serbian-air-force-targets-fleet-modernisation.html
  7. ^ http://www.odbrana.mod.gov.rs/arsenal/arsenal024/arsenal-02-06.pdf
  8. ^ http://www.odbrana.mod.gov.rs/odbrana078/10-13.pdf
  9. ^ http://www.odbrana.mod.gov.rs/odbrana078/10-13.pdf
  10. ^ http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=148708
  11. ^ An-2TD
  12. ^ http://www.emportal.rs/en/news/serbia/78647.html
  13. ^ [1]
  14. ^ Gazelle
  15. ^ Gazelle
  16. ^ Mi-8/17
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