On May 22, the Serbian Minister of Defenc, Aleksandar Vulin, attended the test firing of RLN-IC test missiles, which was carried out by members of the Military Technical Institute in the area of ​​the “Pasuljanske livade” military complex. The RLN-IC missile is intended for the third phase of modernization of the Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon. The test firing was performed from a modified PASARS FM-1 weapon, from a remote launch platform and aiming system. The targets were 120 mm illuminating mortar shells.
After the firing, the Acting Assistant Minister for Material Resources, Nenad Miloradović, informed the Minister of Defence about the possibilities and development of the RLN-IC 170 short-range anti-aircraft defence missile with an infrared homing head. This improved version uses a more modern homing head, digital control electronics, as well as a newly configured larger calibre warhead. These components of the rocket, as well as the rocket engine, are developed by the Military Technical Institute with its subcontractors.
The PASARS-16 Terminator’s RLN-1C missiles where at first appearance at prototype stage represented as modified Vympel K-13 (R-13M) short-range, infrared homing air-to-air missile developed by the Soviet Union and commonly used on MiG-21 fighter aircraft. Modifications have been made to improve the rocket’s propulsion block, in order to effectively launch the missile from the ground. Later model shown in flight in MTI Belgrade presentation while destroying target shares little similarities with K-13 as all components are new and domestic and rocket has new designation RLN-IC/170.
PASARS-16 is Serbia mobile hybrid short range air defense system in serial production based on new Fabrika automobila Priboj 2228[2] 6 × 6 general purpose off-road military chassis. Armed with a single towed Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft gun and two RLN-1C/170 infrared surface-to-air missiles mounted at the rear of the vehicle, the system is linked with a modernized M85 Zirafa air defence radar. Serbia plans to integrate newly purchased French Mistral 3 surface-to-air missiles on PASARS-16 along with RLN-1C probably for export version.
