Ex-Belarus MiG-29s bolster Serbian Air Force
A MiG-29 is loaded onto a cargo aircraft before delivery from Belarus to Serbia. (Photo: 558 ARZ)
Serbia has received its first pair of modernised MiG-29 fighters from Belarus, with two more to follow under a February 2019 government-to-government deal.
The two Soviet-era aircraft, built in the so-called 9-13 configuration, were cycled through a general overhaul and airframe life extension before Belarus-based MRO company 558 ARZ delivered the MiG-29s to Serbia on 16 April.
The Serbian MoD covered the cost of the overhaul, although the cost remains undisclosed.
Belarus also agreed in February 2019 to donate two Buk (SA-11 Gadfly) ground-based air defence (GBAD) systems to Serbia, with overhaul costs covered by Belgrade — but there
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters
The USAF published RFIs for enhancing its C3 capabilities after losing, in Operation Epic Fury, four aircraft in non-confrontational, unclear situations that could have been related to command, control and communication failures.
-
European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones
European defence firms including Airbus, Helsing, General Atomics and Anduril are accelerating development and testing of collaborative combat aircraft to meet Germany’s loyal wingman requirement, targeting operational deployment by the end of the decade.
-
Leonardo plans to fly uncrewed fighters alongside M-346 aircraft by mid-2026
The two uncrewed fighter aircraft will be made in conjunction with Baykar, which joined forces with Leonardo under LBA Systems in June 2025 to develop and produce uncrewed aerial systems for the international market.
-
UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition
The startup was the only UK company to take part in the first Gauntlet for the programme, joining forces with its Ukraine partner to participate in the event.
-
Robinson launches new uncrewed aircraft business unit, unveils new UAS cargo platform
The new entity incorporates crewed and uncrewed capabilities to tackle a variety of mission demands in both defence and commercial markets.
-
US plans to raise defence production by 300% but multiple uncertainties remain
The strategy, schedule and budget to support Washington’s intention to speed up the manufacturing of defence capabilities remain unclear.