Held at the military airport “Sergeant-pilot Mihajlo Petrovic” in Niš was a demonstration of weapons, defense equipment, and capabilities of part of the units of Serbian Armed Forces. The demonstration was attended by the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces and the President of the Republic of Serbia Mr. Aleksandar Vucic, the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr. Ilham Aliev, Minister of Defense of Serbia Mr. Miloš Vucevic, Chief of General Staff of SAF gen. Milan Mojsilovic, Serbian Government ministers, Azerbaijan delegation, representatives of Jugoimport-SDPR, and other esteemed guests. The presidents Vucic and Aliev were shown some modern weapons and defense equipment, notably those produced by the indigenous defense industry, and some of the capabilities of SAF Special Forces. Also presented were the artillery-rocket systems, both aerial and ground unmanned platforms, fire control system, and various ordnance systems, including the ALAS missiles, GAVRAN (Raven) UAV, and VILA 1 and VILA 2 loitering munitions.
The ALAS (Advanced Light Attack System) is a Serbian long-range multipurpose wire guided missile system developed by the private company EdePro and the state-owned Yugoimport SDPR. The ALAS Missile features a modern aerodynamic configuration. It is powered by a solid rocket fuel booster motor and a turbojet sustainer motor. The maximum range of the missile is 25 km. The ALAS missile system was developed primarily for missions against tanks, armored vehicles, fortifications, command posts, low-flying helicopters, coastal ships, industrial facilities and bridges. It can be deployed by any suitable platform including helicopters, armored vehicles, small ships and infantry. The guidance system is based on video/infrared technology, with the missile connected to the launcher by a fiber-optic cable. The ALAS flies at low altitude and has small radar and infrared (heat) signatures due to using a turbofan motor instead of a turbojet. The modern concept of a navigation-guidance system resulted in a jamming-resistant missile. In recent years, the ALAS platform has found a secondary use as a UAV.
The GAVRAN UAV (kamikaze drone) is a deterrent engaged in long-range surveillance and attack missions on a wide range of targets behind the front line of the combat area. Launched by solid propellant booster and powered by either a combustion or electric engine driving a pusher propeller, the Gavran is 4.5 m in length and has a 3.2 m wingspan. The air vehicle has a 50 kg maximum take-off weight and a 15 kg payload capability, and can fly at 120 km/h while loitering for up to 30 mins at about 5,000 ft out to a range of up to 100 km. The interchangeable explosive payload of each Gavran vehicle would be made of a 175 mm / 12 kg combined shaped-charge, high-explosive fragmentation warhead, or other types of target-tailored weapon packages, including 122 mm / 13 kg, 130 mm / 10.5 kg, and 145 mm / 6.4 kg warheads. The Gavran is intended to be a low-cost, long-range intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) system and strike weapon for tanks, armored vehicles, command posts, artillery gun emplacements, personnel, boat or stationary targets.
vILA (Viatacom Integrated Loitering Ammunition) is a Serbian long range loitering munitions developed by the private company Belgrade Viatacom. The vILA 1 and vILA2, based on similar modules but aimed at different use, from surface and from the air. The difference between the two weapon systems is mostly in their use; the vILA 1 (for Viatacom Integrated Loitering Ammunition) is designed to be surface launched, either from a land-based system of from ships, while the vILA 2 is to be used on board combat aircraft. The core elements of the missile, the guidance system and the warhead, are common, albeit some control software might have to be partially rewritten. The vILA missiles fly to the target area exploiting inertial navigation, GNSS and radar altimeter for guidance. EDR On-Line understood that the module on which the Institute is concentrating its efforts is the one dedicated to the final leg, when the system starts loitering over the target area in search of its target.
During the dynamic presentation of the capabilities, members of 72nd Special Operations Brigade and 63rd Parachute Brigade, supported by the Air Force & Air Defense units, have demonstrated horizontal and vertical air maneuvers, urban warfare, deployment of unmanned supply platforms, evacuation of the injured, and crossing a rugged terrain, including a segment of the Special Forces training. 4×4 “Miloš” Combat armored vehicle , a product from the range of Jugoimport introduced in the service of SAF years ago, was brought to notice. The vehicle concept is based on a “unibody” armored hull featuring advanced drive and transmission systems, an independent suspension system providing high maneuverability in all terrains and weather conditions, and a maximum combat load of 14t. The vehicle is suitable for search and forward observer missions, counter-guerrilla and anti-terrorism missions, as support to special operations units, a command vehicle, a border and territory patrol vehicle, etc.
