Montenegrin Air Force Explained

Unit Name:Montenegrin Air Force
Native Name:Vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazdušna odbrana
Start Date: [1]
Country: Montenegro
Type:Air force
Role:Aerial warfare
Size:11 helicopters
Command Structure:Montenegrin Armed Forces
Garrison:Podgorica
Garrison Label:Headquarters
Commander1:President Jakov Milatović
Commander1 Label:Commander-in-Chief
Commander2 Label:Commander
Identification Symbol Label:Roundel
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Fin flash
Aircraft Helicopter:Bell 412, Bell 505

The Montenegrin Air Force (Vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazdušna odbrana|italics=yes; V i PVO) is the air arm of the Military of Montenegro. The aircraft marking of the Montenegrin Air Force consist of a red-on-gold roundel, currently being the sole air arm using the latter colour in its official insignia.

History

In 1991–1992, Yugoslavia disintegrated, and the republics of Serbia and Montenegro established the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Air Force was renamed the Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro, (also known as the Air Force of Yugoslavia). In spring of 1999 they suffered heavy losses in NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, during the Kosovo War.[2] After years of political turmoil, Montenegro declared its independence in June 2006, bringing an end to the state union of Serbia and Montenegro.[3] [4]

Aircraft inventory

Following the dissolution of the state union of Serbia and Montenegro, the newly formed Republic of Montenegro was left with a considerable number of aircraft at the Golubovci airbase, more than required for its own needs. After the break-up, speculation arose regarding the division of the aircraft, but the Serbian Ministry of Defense issued a statement declaring that the eventual division of the fleet was not in either country's interest. However, a total of 11 G-4 Super Galebs, of which 8 are airworthy, were still located at the base in 2008. An official decision regarding their fate has not been made, but most likely they will not be operated by Montenegro due to expensive operating costs. The four Utva 75 trainer aircraft have a better chance to become operational, although no decision about them has been made yet.[1]

Current inventory

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Combat helicopter
Bell 412United Statesutility 412EPI3[5]
Bell 505United Statesutility 2
Aérospatiale Gazelle

utility3426

Retired

AircraftOriginTypeVariantIn serviceNotes
Combat Aircraft
Soko G-4Yugoslaviaattack / jet trainer4Placed in storage in 2012
Trainer aircraft
UTVA 75Yugoslaviatrainer 4[6] Retired from service in 2012
Helicopters
Mil Mi-8transport / utility Mi-8T4[7] Retired from service in 2012
Aérospatiale GazelleYugoslaviautility / scout341/4213Placed in storage in 2019[8]

Notes and References

  1. Force Report: Montenegrin Air Force, Air Forces Monthly magazine, December 2008 issue, p. 38
  2. Web site: World Air Forces 2004 pg. 83 . flightglobal.com . 10 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150218205421/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/2004/2004-09%20-%202376.html . 18 February 2015 . live . dmy-all .
  3. Web site: Serbia-Montenegro Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. globalsecurity.org. 10 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150218213916/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/serbia/fry.htm. 18 February 2015. live. dmy-all.
  4. Web site: Republic of Yugoslavia Air Force. globalsecurity.org. 10 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150218213948/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/serbia/air-force-fry.htm. 18 February 2015. live. dmy-all.
  5. Web site: Hoyle . Craig . World Air Forces 2024. . 2023 . 22 March 2024.
  6. https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/me-af.htm Montenegrin Air Force [Vazdušne snage Crne Gore]
  7. Web site: Directory: World Air Forces. Flightglobal. 2008. 4 December 2014. http://web.archive.org/web/20081219003223if_/http://www.flightglobal.com/assets/getasset.aspx?ItemID=26061. 2008-12-19.
  8. News: Slobodna Dalmacija. 9 November 2021. Veliki dosje: Može li na prostoru bivše Jugoslavije izbiti novi rat?. hr. 18 November 2021.