Serbia to Modernize 11 Mi-35 Attack Helicopters

Serbia has announced the modernization of 11 Russian-origin Mi-35 attack helicopters six of which be modernized by January 2024 and remaining 5 later next year.

President Aleksandar Vučić announced this at event last week in Batajnica to unveil newly inducted military equipment including the CASA-295 tactical transport plane, Airbus H-145 helicopters and 22 radars.

On November 23, Vučić, visited the military airfield "Colonel-Pilot Milenko Pavlović" in Batajnica to inspect the recently procured arms and military equipment for the Serbian Armed Forces. Accompanying him were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Miloš Vučević, and Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Želimir Glišović.

President Vučić underscored the moment of unveiling new assets, including 22 radars—a notable milestone given the decades-long absence of such acquisitions in Serbia and Yugoslavia. He also highlighted the introduction of two new Spanish transport aeroplanes, CASA, emphasizing their capacity to transport 70 soldiers or 48 paratroopers with full equipment, enabling swift deployment over combat zones through the aeroplanes' side ramps.

The President also mentioned the introduction of a new German helicopter, H-145, praised for being "quieter and better than its predecessor." He revealed plans for the arrival of 10 more such helicopters by September of the following year.

President Vučić took the opportunity to showcase the modernized aeroplanes "Lasta" and "Orao," along with 11 Mi-35 helicopters. He outlined the phased modernization of the helicopters, with six to be completed by January and the remaining five by the end of summer. Plans for the construction of hangars were also mentioned to protect aircraft from corrosion.

President Vučić discussed the increased recruitment of soldiers, particularly in special units.

During the visit, Assistant Minister of Defence for Material Resources, Nenad Miloradović, and Air Force and Air Defence Commander, Major General Duško Žarković, briefed President Vučić on projects related to the newly acquired assets of arms and military equipment. The static display in Batajnica included helicopters Mi-35P and H-145M, modernized aeroplane "Orao," transport aeroplanes CASA C-295, and aeroplanes "Lasta."