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Serbian Air Force and Air Defence

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Serbian Air Force and Air Defense
File:Emblem Command of Serbian Air Force and Air Defense.jpg
Serbian Air Force
Active1912 - 1918
2006 -
CountrySerbia
Part ofMilitary of Serbia
AF HQZemun, Belgrade
PatronSaint Elijah
Motto(s)"For Honor and Freedom of the Fatherland"
Template:Lang-sr
Commanders
Commander of
Serbian AF & AD		General-major Dragan Katanić
Chief of
AF & AD HQ		Colonel Nebojša Đukanović
Insignia
Roundel
Fin FlashFile:Fin Marking of the Serbian Air Force.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, 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

Main article: Military history of Serbia § Serbian Air Force History

Tasks

Structure of Air Force and Air Defense

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

Equipment

Serbian Air Force fleet

Fixed-wing aircraft

Template:Standard table ! 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-29 Fulcrum |  Soviet Union | Fighter
Trainer - Fighter | MiG-29B
MiG-29UB | 4
1 | The first of the five has been returned to service on February 11 2008. [2] |----- | Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 |  Soviet Union | Fighter
Trainer - Fighter
Recon - Fighter | MiG-21 Bis
MiG-21 UM
MiG-21 R | 27
6
1 | |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Ground-Attack Aircraft |----- | Soko J-22 Orao |  Yugoslavia | Ground Attack
Attack - Trainer
Recon
Recon - Trainer | J-22
NJ-22
IJ-22
INJ-22 | 16
7
8
2 | 33 in total[3] |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport and Liaison Aircraft |----- | Antonov An-2 Colt |  Soviet Union | Utility transport/paratroop training | An-2TD1 | 1[4] | |----- | Antonov An-26 Curl |  Soviet Union | Medium military transport | An-26B | 6 | Two currently operational, pending replacement. |----- | Yakovlev Yak-40 Codling |  Soviet Union | VIP Transport/Navaid Calibration | Yak-40 | 2 | |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Trainer Aircraft |----- | Soko G-4 Super Galeb |  Yugoslavia | Armed Advanced Jet Trainer
Unarmed Advanced Jet Trainer
Target Puller
Prototype | G-4
G-4š
G-4t
G-4M | 14
8
2
1 | 25 in total[5] |----- | Lola Utva 75 |  Yugoslavia | Basic/Primary Trainer | V-53 | 12 | To be replaced with new Lasta 95[citation needed] |}

Helicopters

Template:Standard table ! 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 |  France/ Yugoslavia | Anti-Tank Helicopter | HN-42M Gama
HN-45M Gama2 | 19
11 | Total of 61 Gazelle Helicopters[6] |----- | Mil Mi-24 Hind |  Soviet Union | Attack Helicopter | Mil Mi-24V | 2 | Currently upgrading too Mil Mi-35 Hind E (export version of Mi-24V) |- ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | Transport and Utility Helicopters |----- | Soko SA 341H/342L1 Gazelle |  France/ Yugoslavia | Light Utility Helicopter
Reccon Helicopter | HO-42/45
HI-42 Hera | 29
2 | Total of 61 Gazelle Helicopters.[7] |----- | Mil Mi-8/17 Hip |  Soviet Union | Medium Transport Helicopter | Mil Mi-8T
Mil Mi-17V | 28
2 | Three currently operational, another three will be sent for overhaul.[8] |}

Air Defense Weapons and Equipment

SAMs

Used by 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade:

MANPADS

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

Anti-Aircraft Artillery

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

Radars

Used by 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade, 117. Air Force Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 98. Air Force Air Defense Artillery Battalion and 126.Center for Air Reconnaissance/Intelligence and Guidance (VOJIN)

  • 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

File:Mig21 1.jpg
MiG-21 101. Fighter-Aviation Squadron
File:Orao-22.jpg
Serbian J-22 Orao at air show.
File:Mi-8T of SAF.jpg
Serbian Mi-8T cargo helicopter
File:Gazelle serbian air froce.jpg
Serbian Soko Gazelle helicopter.

Air Force

Once one of the largest air forces in Europe, with over 400 combat aircraft and 200 armed helicopters, the air force has been severely degraded due to ten years of war and sanctions.

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 two MiG-29s which have come back from overhaul at Russia, with last three will arrive in June. 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 plan to replace MiG-21s with Novi Avion in the 1990s but the wars have 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 four 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 98th Air Base in 252. Mixed-Aviation Squadron (for training) and 138. 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 119. 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

File:Serbian Mig-29.jpg
Serbian Air Force Mig 29 No.18101

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 apart 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 2008military 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 three MiG's 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.

Serbian 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 three MiG-29 aircraft which will be back until the first quarter of 2008, while the first two are already back and put in to the service.[9]. The National Investment Plan has approved about 10 million Euros for overhaul of five MiG-29s, 7,6 million Euros for overhaul and modernization of two Mi-24 Hind gunship helicopters, 2,4 million Euros for overhaul of three Mi-8T cargo helicopters, while the NIP gave last year 1,5 million Euros for modernization of one An-26 tactical transport aircraft. 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. [10][11]

These are some possible options for replacement. No formal decision has been made yet on when or what purchases will be made, The ministry of defense is expected to increase its budget[12] in the following years providing assistance in the modernization of the air force. The Air Force will get 20 new multi-role fighters to replace MiG-21's, 20 new helicopters to replace Mi-8's, and five new cargo aircraft to replace An-26's and An-2. There is also a plan for modernization of number of G-4 Super Galebs to G-4M or G-4MD standard with improved communication and navigation equipment, better avionics.[citation needed]

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.

Ranks and insignia

Main article: Serbian military ranks and insignia

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. ^ Air Forces Monthly, April 2008 issue, pp.8
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ [2]
  5. ^ [3]
  6. ^ [4]
  7. ^ [5]
  8. ^ [6]
  9. ^ Serbian Armed Forces
  10. ^ Republic of Serbia - Ministry of defence
  11. ^ Serbian Armed Forces
  12. ^ Serbian Armed Forces
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