MILITARY OF SERBIA

The 'Military of Serbia' (Serbian:' Војска Србије or Vojska Srbije') is the successor of the Military of Serbia and Montenegro, which ceased to exist after Montenegro voted to end the union of Serbia and Montenegro. In accordance with the agreement which established the union, Serbia inherited the joint Ministry of Defense — this was confirmed in a decree by the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia on June 5. Those forces and assets inherited by Montenegro are being incorporated into a new Military of Montenegro, a completely new structure.
The Armed Forces of Serbia are the armed force of the defense system. They develop on best domestic and foreign experiences and achievements of science in the field of security and defense.
The Armed Forces are assigned missions and tasks.
The missions of Armed Forces are defined by the Serbian Parliament, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, based on the international law principles which regulate the use of force and based on the Serbian Constitutional Charter.
The Serbian Armed Forces missions are:

★ defending Serbia from armed foreign threats.

★ participating in the process of building and maintaining peace in the region and across the world.

★ providing support in case of natural disasters and catastrophes.
Basic tasks of the Serbian Armed Forces are:

★ deterring armed threats and other military challenges, risks and security threats.

★ defending the territory, territorial waters of Serbia and air space.

★ enabling soldiers, commanders, commands, units and institutions to accomplish objectives and missions.

★ Participating in international military cooperation under the UN patronage and the system of joint security.

★ Providing support in the case of natural disasters and catastrophes of larger proportion where lives are at stake, as well as the environment and material property.
Basic organizational structure and the number of the Armed Forces members are defined by the Supreme Defense Council, at the proposal of the Ministry of Defense, depending on the level of threats, resources, missions, tasks and international standards.
The army is staffed with professional, duty and reserve corps members, with the tendency to be completely professionalized. It develops its respective systems of training and logistics, relying on Serbia’s and its foreign partners’ resources. Based on the Supreme Defense Council’s decision, places its capacities to the disposal of other users.

Contents

Organization

Serbian Land Forces

Main Battle Tanks

Armored Combat Vehicles

Artillery systems

Serbian Air Force and Air Defense

Combat aircrafts

Transport and non-combat aircrafts

Helicopters

SAM's

Training Command of Serbian Army

Uniforms

Symbols

Modernization

Peacekeeping operations

Curent missions

See also

External links

Organization

The Serbian Army is organized at 3 levels: strategic, operational and tactical.
Forces are organized on strategic, operational and tactical level and into commands, units and institutions. It is basically constituted of arms, branches, services. The Arms represent integrated branches and services which have relatively limited autonomy in warfare at land, sea and air.
Army branches constitute: the infantry, armored units, artillery, engineering, air defense artillery missile units, aviation, navy, electronic reconnaissance and warfare.
Army services can be general and logistics.
General army services are: intelligence, security, liaison, informatics, nuclear-biological-chemical, air reconnaissance and reporting, geodetic, hydro meteorological and hydro-navigational and legal service.
Logistics services are: technical, procurement, medical, transport, vet, construction, and financial service.
The Armed Forces of Serbia consist of

★ 'Serbian Land Forces'

★ 'Serbian Air Force and Air Defense'

★ 'Training Command of Serbian Army'
Since Serbia was the dominant partner in the former union, it has inherited the considerable bulk of the army and air force. However, as Serbia is landlocked, the only navy it could maintain would be on the Danube river.













'Land Forces:'

★ 'LF 1ST Brigade'

★
★ 10. Command Battalion

★
★ 11. Infantry Battalion

★
★ 15. Tank battalion

★
★ 16. Mechanized Battalion

★
★ 17. Mechanized Battalion

★
★ 12. Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion

★
★ 13. Self-Propelled Missile Launcher Artillery Battalion

★
★ 14. Air Defense Artillery Battalion

★
★ 18. Engineer Battalion

★
★ 19. Logistic Battalion

★
★ 110. Pontoon Battalion

★
★ 111. Pontoon Battalion

★ 'LF 2ND Brigade'

★
★ 20. Command Battalion

★
★ 21. Infantry Battalion

★
★ 22. Infantry Battalion

★
★ 26. Tank Battalion

★
★ 27. Mechanized Battalion

★
★ 28. Mechanized Battalion

★
★ 23. Self-Propelled Artillery Battalion

★
★ 24. Self-Propelled Missile Launcher Artillery Battalion

★
★ 25. Air Defense Artillery Battalion

★
★ 210. Engineer Battalion

★
★ 29. Logistic Battalion

★ ' LF 3RD Brigade'

★
★ 30. Command Battalion

★
★ 31. Infantry Battalion

★
★ 32. Infantry Battalion

★
★ 36. Tank Battalion

★
★ 37. Mechanized Battalion

★
★ 38. Mechanized Battalion

★
★ 33. Self-Propelled Howitzer Artillery Battalion

★
★ 34. Multiple Rocket Launcher Battalion

★
★ 35. Air Defense Artillery Battalion

★
★ 310. Engineer Battalion

★
★ 39. Logistic Battalion

★ 'LF 4TH Brigade'

★
★ 40. Command Battalion

★
★ 41. Infantry Battalion

★
★ 42. Infantry Battalion

★
★ 46. Tank Battalion

★
★ 47. Mechanized Battalion

★
★ 48. Mechanized Battalion

★
★ 43. Self-Propelled Howitzer Artillery Battalion

★
★ 44. Self-Propelled Rocket Launcher Battalion

★
★ 45. Air Defense Artillery Rocket Battalion

★
★ 410. Engineer Battalion

★
★ 49. Logistic Battalion

★ ' LF Combined-Arms Artillery Brigade'

★
★ Command Division

★
★ Combined-Arms Artillery Rocket Battalion

★
★ 1. Howitzer-Cannon-Artillery Battalion

★
★ 2. Howitzer-Cannon-Artillery Battalion

★
★ 3. Howitzer-Cannon-Artillery Battalion

★
★ Logistic Battalion

★ '246. NBCW Battalion'

★ '3. MP Battalion'

★ '5. MP Battalion'

★ '21. Liaison Battalion'

★ ' River Flotilla of Serbian Armed Forces'

★
★ 93. River Center

★ ' Special Brigade'

★
★ Command

★
★ Commanding Battalion

★
★ 63rd Paratroop Battalion

★
★ 72nd Reconnaissance-commando Battalion

★
★ Antiterrorist Battalion

★
★ Logistics company
'Air Force and Air Defense:'

★ ' 204th Air Base'

★
★ 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

★ ' 250. Air Defense Missile Brigade'

★
★ Command Battery

★
★ 1. Air Force Air Defense Missile Battalion

★
★ 2. Air Force Air Defense Missile Battalion

★
★ 3. Air Force Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Battalion

★
★ 4. Air Force Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Battalion

★
★ 5. Air Force Air Defense Self-Propelled Missile Battalion

★ ' 126.Center for Air Reconnaissance/Intelligence and Guidance (VOJIN)'

★
★ Command Company

★
★ 20. VOJIN Battalion

★
★ 31. VOJIN Battalion

★
★ Company for air force-technical and technical maintenance and procurement
' Training Command of Serbian Army:'

★
★ Command HQ

★
★ Training center No1

★
★ Training center No2

★
★ Training center No3

★
★ Training center No4

★
★ Training center No5

★
★ Training center No6

★
★ Training center No7

★
★ LF training center

★
★ Air Force and Air Defense training center

★
★ Logistics training center

★
★ Center for training and specializing of lisision,IT and EI.Warfare personnel

★
★ Center for educating NBCW personnel

★
★ Combined-Arms training ground "Pasuljanske Livade"
'Other units:'

★ 'Liaison Brigade'

★
★ 1. Center for stationary liaison

★
★ 2. Center for stationary liaison

★
★ 3. Center for stationary liaison

★
★ 4. Center for stationary liaison

★
★ Liaison Battalion

★ 'Central logistics base'

★
★ 1. Storage Battalion

★
★ 2. Storage Battalion

★
★ 3. Storage Battalion

★
★ 4. Storage Battalion

★
★ Command Company

★
★ SPC Belgrade

★
★ SPC Belgrade

★ 'Guard'

★
★ Adjunct HQ units

★
★ Honorary Battalion

★
★ 25. MP Battalion

★
★ Cobras MP Battalion

★
★ Logistic Battalion

★
★ Residential compounds

★
★ Special-purpose compounds

Serbian Land Forces

Main articles: Serbian Land Forces

The Land Forces (LF) are the oldest and largest branch of Serbian military. It contains from four land forces brigades, Special Brigade, Combined arms artillery battalion, river flotila, 246. NBCW battalion, 3. and 5. military police battalion and 21. liaison battalion.
The 1ST Brigade contains from one command, infantry, one tank battalion, two mechanized battalions, one self-propelled artillery and one self-propelled artillery rocket battalion, one air defense battalion, one engineer, one logistic battalion and two pontoon battalions. Other three LF brigades contains each from one command, two infantry battalions, one tank, two mechanized, one self-propelled artillery and one self-propelled artillery rocket battalion, one air defense battalion, one engineer and one logistic battalion.
The tank battalions are equipped with 53 M-84 MBT's, mechanized with 40 M-80A IFV's and few BTR-50 APC's, the self-propelled artillery battalions with 18 2S1 Gvozdika SPH's, self-propelled rocket-artillery battalions with 18 MLRS (M-77 "Oganj" and M-63 "Plamen S"), the air defense artillery battalions with 18/30 SAM's (SA-13/SA-9), 18 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns (BOV-3/30) and many AAA guns and MANPADS, and the logistic and engineer battalions are equipped with standard military trucks, heavy machines and tools. The infantry battalions are equipped with infantry weapons and some small artillery peaces and MANPADS. Combined-Arms Artillery Brigade is equipped with 10 MLRS's (4 Orkan's and 6 Oganj's), 36 M84 NORA - 152mm Field Gun-Howitzer's and infantry weapons. 3. and 5. military police battalions are standard equipped with BOV-VP's and infantry weapons. The river flotilla is armed with few ships, most minesweepers, assault ships and ect.

Main Battle Tanks

The Serbian Land Forces are using M-84 and T-72 MBT's. The 238 M-84's are disposed into battalions. 15 T-72's are used for training and 50 are also in reserve. The Serbian LF have withdrawn all 511 T-55's, and most of them will be scarped or sold.

★ M-84 - 238

★ T-72 - 15 (50 in reserve)

Armored Combat Vehicles

The Serbian LF are primary using M-80A IFV's in mechanized battalions, with few BTR-50's as command vehicles. There are also BRDM-2's and BOV-VP's used by reccon and military police units and BTR-60's fitted with Aluminum/Steel armor and BTR-50's used as command vehicles in Air Defense units and MT-LB's used by artillery.

★ M-80A - 562

★ BOV-VP - 58

★ BOV-1 - 84

★ BRDM-2 - 28

★ BTR-50 -200

★ MT-LB - 50

★ BTR-60 - 6 (air defense command vehicle)

Artillery systems

★ M-74 and M-75 120 mm mortars - ?

★ M84 "NORA A" - 36

★ D-30 - 72 (231 in reserve)

★ M-63 "Plamen S" - 18 (30 in reserve)

★ M-77 "Oganj" - 60 (40 in reserve)

★ M87 "Orkan" - 8

★ 2S1 Gvozdika - 72

Serbian Air Force and Air Defense

Main articles: Serbian Air Force and Air Defense

The Serbian Air Force has about 3,000 personnel and troops and 170 aircraft (but few operational) on 2 bases. The most of Serbian Air Force aircrafts aren't operational. Fighter aviation contains from about 25-30 MiG-21 aircraft's and 5 MiG-29's (which will be overhauled in Russia). The Serbian Air Force also have a number of Yugoslav-build attack-aircrafts J-22 Orao and G-4 Super Galeb. Currently Serbia is modernizing 4 MiG-29's, 1 An-26, 3 Mi-8's, 2 Mi-17's, 2 Mi-24's, and next year it will modernized 4 An-26's, the last MiG-29 is also planned to be modernized
The Air Defense is equipped with SA-6 and S-125 Neva SAM systems, which will be modernized during next years. During the 1999 NATO bombing in Yugoslavia, the Yugoslav Air Defense units brought down several NATO aircrafts. Confirmed are two F-16 Fighting Falcon's, an F/A-18 Super Hornet, and many UAVs, as well as a large number of cruise missiles. The greatest achievement of these units was when the 3rd Battalion of the 250th Missile Brigade under the command of Colonel Zoltán Dani shot down a F-117 Nighthawk Stealth fighter jet using an SA-3. One F-117 Nighthawk is also seriously damaged by Serbian Air Defense and it was withdrawn after landing.

Combat aircrafts

★ MiG-29 - 5 (Currently out of service for modernization)

★ MiG-21 - 25-30 (Some of them are in bad condition)

★ J-22 Orao - 33

★ G-4 Super Galeb - 25

Transport and non-combat aircrafts

★ An-26 - 2 (6+1)

★ An-2 - 1

★ YAK-40 - 1 (3) (Government)

★ Falcon 50 - 2 (Government)

★ Lola Utva 75 - 12

★ G-2 Galeb - 1 (Used by ''TOC'')

Helicopters

★ Mi-8 - 29 (Many of them are in bad condition)

★ Mi-17 - 2 (Currently out of service for modernization)

★ Mi-24 - 2 (Currently out of service for modernization)

★ Aérospatiale Gazelle - 61 (Many of them are in bad condition)

SAM's

★ S-125 Neva - 60

★ 2K12 Kub - 80

Training Command of Serbian Army

Main articles: Training Command of Serbian Army

Uniforms

Serbian army is using various camouflage patterns. In year 2001 M-02 was introduced, with updated "Hrastov List" and new KARST pattern, but only in some special units. M-03 style uniform and new MDU camouflage pattern was introduced in 2006 after a year of extensive testings.
High-tech material used on M-03 offers better water resistance, very low visibility in visible specter and when using thermal, photo sensory and opto-electronic detection equipment.
The new Serbian MDU camouflage pattern is a five-colour pattern, comprising black, chocolate brown, Grey-green and medium green swathes on a light green background.
The shapes have been elongated horizontally, however — presumably to meet NATO requirements. But even today the most common pattern used is M-93, officially-"Hrastov List", commonly called "Jigsaw" or "Puzzle". This 5 colored pattern was produced with lots of variations but primarily in two shades. One towards brown (fall, no snow winter) and one in green (spring, summer).
Serbian Army also uses NATO Woodland pattern, black uniforms for special forces units, white winter camouflages and many other different camouflage and color uniforms.
As for now, M-MDU03 it's primarily worn by the officers, professional soldiers,
army special forces as well by regular army stationed at the administrative
Kosovo and Metohija border and will soon be in used by all soldiers.
However, Serbian army has concluded that M-03 as well as MDU-03 kamouflage doesn't meet requirements of Serbian army, and therefore it will not be issued as standard. Serbian army is currently developing new combat, ceremonial, dress uniforms and digital pattern M-03, which is expected to become a standard pattern in near future

Some official sources in the army are reporting new ceremonial and dress uniforms; there is also a project to digitize MDU and YPA(JNA) mountain sniper camouflage by the year 2010.

Symbols

On February 15, 2007, the new arms and symbols of the Serbian Military were unveiled in Central Cultural Center of the Army in Belgrade. They replaced the old symbols of the Military of Serbia and Montenegro.

Modernization

In late 2003, the Serbian Armed Forces had started mass modernization and reorganization of its entire structure. The first step of modernization was reorganizing all units and command structures to reduce the over all size of the army and make it more maneuverable and professional to respond to dangerous situations, this part of the reorganization plan was fully completed in under 13 months. The withdrawal of old and obsolete equipment and procurement of replacements is currently in the process. Professionalizing of the armed forces is due to be fully completed and implemented by 2010, operating at international standard (NATO) and participating in active peacekeeping operations.
'Modernization of Land Forces'
T-55 tanks, BRDM-2 and BTR-50 APC's, old artillery such as D-30, old trucks and so on are also currently in the process for being withdrawn and replaced. The withdrawn T-55s will be put on sale. Around 50 T-72 MBT's will sold as they are considered surplus (currently stored). A planned modernization of M-84 MBT's into M-2001 MBT is also due. Older APC's and IFV's such as BRDM-2 and BTR-50 may be modernized in very small numbers, the bulk of which are to be withdrawn. M-80A IFV's will be modernized to serve for a prolonged 10 years. New systems entering in use such as long range Serbian designed ALAS missle system,anti-tank Bumbar, AT-11 Sniper ,....
'Modernization of Air Force and Air Defence'
There are plans to obtain around 20 or more new fighter aircraft to replace the aging MiG-21 fleet as well as J-22 that is due to retire around 2010 to the latest, although Serbia does plan to retain its MiG-29s currently. Plans are also being made to obtain new transport helicopters and aircraft as well. The Air Force will also modernized all G-4 Super Galebs in to G-4M. Currently Serbia is modernizing 4 MiG-29's, 1 An-26, 3 Mi-8's, 2 Mi-17's, 2 Mi-24's. The last MiG-29 is also planned to be modernized later on.
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 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, 15 new helicopters to replace Mi-8's, and five new cargo aircrafts to replace An-26's and An-2.

★ New fighters:

★
★ 20x F-16C/D or JAS 39 Gripen or MiG-29SMT

★ New transport helicopters:

★
★ 15x SA.330 Puma or Euromil Mi-38

★ New cargo aircraft:

★
★ 5x Alenia C-27J

Peacekeeping operations

Curent missions

The UN mission in Liberia (UNMIL)

The UN mission in Liberia (UNMIL) commenced after the signing of Peace Agreement in Accra, the Republic of Ghana, and passing of 1509 UN Resolution on 19 September 2003, the mandate of which is in keeping with Pillars VI and VII of the UN Charter.
The Serbian Ministry of Defense has participated in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) since 10 December 2003 when two military observers were sent to the mission. The number of observers engaged in the mission soon increased from two to three, (on 9 March 2003), then six (on 19 May 2004). Currently there are six military observers stationed in Liberia. The observers are substituted after a one-year mandate is over and to-date 20 MoD and SAF members have been engaged. In addition to MoD members, seven members of the Serbian Police Force are currently engaged as well. The current situation is stable. The MoD and Police Force members perform regular duties of military observers while in the mission, such as monitoring the security, humanitarian, social and medical situation by conducting intensive land and air space controls.

The UN Operations in the Côte d’ Ivoire (UNOIC)

The UN Operations in the Côte d'Ivoire (UNOIC) was established by the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1528, adopted on 27 February 2004, based on the Security Council’s estimate that the situation on the Côte d’Ivoire represents a continuous threat to world peace. The mandate was established according to Pillars VI and VII of the UN Charter.
The Serbian Ministry of Defense has participated in UNOCI peace operation since 1 May 2004 with 3 military participants. To date, 9 members of SAF and MOD have participated in the mission.
Even though the situation in Côte d’Ivoire has been in the object of UN’s constant efforts, the political situation remains at the level requiring full implementation of UN Securty Council’s Resolution. Politically motivated and tribal-related incidents are still common. The MoD and SAF members have never been in a life-endangering situation yet this operation remains still very risky.

The UN mission in DR Congo (MONUC)

The UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) was established in November 1999 in accordance with Pillars VI and VII of the UN Charter based on the UN Security Council’s Resolution no. 1279. the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the only mission in which the Serbian MoD participates with a unit, i.e. a national contingent. The unit is made up of the medical team of two doctors and four medical technicians for air-medical evacuation team (AMET), which is based in Kinshasa. Since 7 March 2003, when the first medical team was sent to Congo, 48 MoD and SAF members (18 officers, 18 non commissioned officers and 12 women) have been deployed, and were structured as eight medical teams with a 6-month mandate. Currently the eighth medical team is stationed in Congo. Extreme efforts and result achieved in DR Congo have made them recognizable not only in DR Congo, but in other African countries where they evacuated the sick, the injured and the wounded.
The security situation has shown modest improvments. The legally elected governmental bodies have been constituted and political disputes are settled in the Parliament. The process of voluntary demilitarization in the east of Congo has been successfully initiated which can lead us to believe that there will be a general settling down of the situation. Still MoD and SAF members have never been in life endangering situations though there have been verbal threats and their vehicle was stoned, which is the result of the frustration of the poverty-stricken nation and slow process of resolving the crisis in the country.

See also

★ Serbian Air Force and Air Defense

★ River Flotilla

★ Serbian military ranks

★ Special Brigade

★ 63rd Paratroop Battalion

★ 72nd Reconnaissance-commando Battalion

★ Battalion of Military Police Cobras

External links

★ Serbian Ministry of Defense

★ Official Website