| Montenegrin Air Force | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 2006[1] |
| Country | Montenegro |
| Branch | Air Force and Air Defense |
| Role | Defending Montenegrin Air Space |
| Size | 10 aircraft [1] |
| Command HQ | Podgorica |
| Commanders | |
| Colonel | Živko Pejović |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |  |
| Fin |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Helicopter | Soko Gazelle Gama |
| Trainer | Utva 75 |
The Montenegrin Air Force (Montenegrin: Vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazdušna odbrana - 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.
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.[1] After the break-up, speculation regarding the division of the aircraft arose, but the Serbian Ministry of Defense issued a statement declaring that the eventual division of the fleet is 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.[1] The four Utva 75 trainer aircraft have a bigger chance to become operational, although no decision about them has been made yet.[1]
| Aircraft | Photo | Origin | Type | Variants | Service entry | Number | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainer Aircraft | |||||||||
| Utva 75 | 
|
 Yugoslavia
|
Two-seat basic training aircraft. | Utva 75 / V-53 | June 2006 | 3 | One crashed to Lake Skadar in 2008. | ||
| Aerial firefighting | |||||||||
| Air Tractor AT-802 | 
|
United States | firefighting, coastal patrol airplane | AT-802A | 4.6.2009 | 2 | Government aircraft | ||
| PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader | 
|
 Poland
|
firefighting | PZL-Mielec M-18 Dromader | unknown | 2 | Government aircraft | ||
| Transport and Utility Helicopters | |||||||||
| Soko Gazelle Gama |  France / Yugoslavia
|
Light Utility helicopter | OH-42/45HN-42M | June 2006 | 7 | Currently 6 operational. | |||
| Mil Mi-8 | File:Montenegrian airforce mi 8.jpg |  Soviet Union
|
Transport helicopter | Mi-8T/HT-40 | June 2006 | 1 | |||
Montenegrin aircraft at Golubovci airbase
Operational structure[]
- Helicopter squadron - HQ Golubovci[2]
- 1st Helicopter Flight - operating Gazelle
- 2nd Helicopter Flight - Gazelle
- 3rd Helicopter Flight - Gazelle
Each of the three helicopter flights has its specific task consisting of close air support, transport and utility duties. The squadron also operates one Mi-8T transport helicopters, but it is currently grounded awaiting funds for an overhaul.[2]
Gallery[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Force Report: Montenegrin Air Force, Air Forces Monthly magazine, December 2008 issue, p. 38
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Force Report: Montenegrin Air Force, Air Forces Monthly magazine, December 2008 issue, p. 39.
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The original article can be found at Montenegrin Air Force and the edit history here.