Soko J-21 Jastreb
| J-21 Jastreb | |
|---|---|
| File:Kanarinci jastreb.jpg | |
| J-21 Jastreb in 1980s | |
| Role | Multi-Role & Reconnaissance |
| Manufacturer | SOKO |
| First flight | May 1961 |
| Status | Active service with Libya |
| Primary user | Yugoslav Air Force |
| Produced | 1964-1985 |
| Variants | G-2 Galeb |
The Soko J-21 Jastreb is a single-seat, light attack and reconnaissance aircraft designed in Yugoslavia in the 1960s. It is closely related to the similar two-seat G-2 Galeb advanced jet trainer & light attack aircraft. The aircraft were built at the SOKO aviation factory in Mostar, Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, until the 1980s. They were used by the Yugoslav Air Force until its demise in 1991.
Service history
Yugoslavia
When they were first designed in the 1960s, they were primarily used by the Yugoslav Air Force as a trainer jet, although they were combat capable as attack aircraft. The J-21 was also used as a reconnaissance/spy jet in the former Yugoslav Air Force. After the breakup of Yugoslavia, several J-21s were passed onto the Republika Srpska and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in which some were deployed in combat in the Yugoslav Wars from 1991-1995.
During the Croatian war of independence on 21 September 1991, two JNA Jastrebs flew over Šibenik. Croat soldiers opened fire on both planes. Both J-21 were shot down with a Strela 2M SAM.[citation needed]
In the early years of the Yugoslav Wars, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the J-21 Jastreb was used by the Republika Srpska Air Force, which were being challenged by NATO fighter jets over Bosnia and Herzegovina.[1]
See also Banja Luka incident
After the Dayton Peace Accords were signed in 1995, the war in the former Yugoslav territories ended, and the J-21s were no longer used in combat. As a part of a SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty), the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia withdrew its remaining J-21 Jastrebs from service.[citation needed] Some of these aircraft were transported to the Aviation Museum in Belgrade.
Zaire
See also First Congo War
According to some reports, France and Yugoslavia supported Mobutu's government during the First Congo War. Yugoslavia agreed to deliver three J-21s and one G-2 aircraft, as well as four MiG-21s, while three Mil Mi-24s were purchased in Ukraine. All of these aircraft were based at Gbadolite.
With few exceptions it remains unknown exactly what happened with each of these aircraft and how were they used after their arrival in Zaire, in late 1997. The MiG-21s arrived in kit form and were put together by group of Russian or Ukrainian technicians at Gbadolite. In the case of Mi-24s it is known that one hit a power line and crashed on 27 March 1997, killing the three crewmen and four passengers. In 1997, a Yugoslav pilot was killed while flying an ultra-low-level pass over Gbadolite in a J-21 Jastreb and clipping a lamp post with his wing. The wreckage of his aircraft fell directly into a column of young soldiers on a parade, killing dozens of them.[2]
Variants
- J-1 : Single-seat ground-attack, reconnaissance aircraft.
- J-1E : Export version.
- RJ-1 : Single-seat tactical reconnaissance aircraft.
- RJ-1E : Export version of the RJ-1.
Operator
Libya
- Free Libyan Air Force - at least 2 defected or were captured during the Libyan civil war.[citation needed]
Former Operators
- Republika Srpska Air Force - 11 J-21s[1]
Specifications (J-1)
Data from [3]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1 pilotInternal fuel load: 440 kg (970 lb)
- External fuel load: 2 × 275 liter (72.6 US gal or 60.5 Imp gal) in jettisonable wing-tip fuel tanks
Performance
- G limit: -4 to +8
Armament
- 3 Colt-Browning 12.7 M3 machine guns, with K-14C or K-14A gun sight
- 800 kg of assorted munitions
See also
Related development
References
- ^ a b Srpska air force - scramble.nl
- ^ Air Combat Information Group Zaire/DR Congo since 1980, acig.org
- ^ J-21 specs at vojska.net