Montenegrin Air Force
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.
History
The Kingdom of Montenegro entered the era of flight with the opening of their first airport in the capital city of Cetinje. Their military followed suite with the use of aircraft in the Balkan Wars and in World War I and II. The countries first air units to be formed, were the 111.lovacki Aviation Regiment, in 1944 and the 172.lovacko bomber aviation regiment in 1949.[2] After the second World War, Montenegro was absorbed into Socialist Yugoslavia, and the armed forces came under a new command. In 1991 the country was dissolved with the end of the Cold War, thus 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 the spring of 1999 they suffered heavy losses in Operation:Allied Force, during the Kosovo War.[3] After years of political turmoil Montenegro declared it's independence in June of 2006 putting an end to the Serbia and Montenegro State.[4][5]
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]
Current inventory
![](../I/m/Military_Montenegro_29.jpg)
A pair of
SA342 helicopters on lift off
Aircraft |
Origin |
Type |
Variant |
In service |
Notes |
Helicopters |
SA341 |
France |
utility / scout |
341/42 |
5[6] |
manufactured under license by SOKO |
Retired
References
Air forces in Europe |
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| Sovereign states | |
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- Abkhazia
- Kosovo
- Nagorno-Karabakh
- Northern Cyprus
- South Ossetia
- Transnistria
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