Russia to gift Serbia two Antonov transport aircraft – Tanks and scout vehicles to arrive as well

Following the arrival of six MiG-29s, the Serbian Armed Forces are also to get two An-26 transport aircraft from the Russian Federation. As Sputnik reports, the Antonov aircraft might land in Serbia in the next ten months.

These are planes of medium load carrying capacity, produced primarily for military needs. An-26 has two engines, and the previous model has been upgraded to include an opening with a loading-unloading platform in the back section, enabling transport of massive cargo, but also landing operations.

Serbia owns three such planes, which are, however, out of use. The only operating An-26 was overhauled last year in Rostov-on-Don.

It is not known yet how much the donation is worth precisely, but it is estimated that an overhauled aircraft of this type may cost 5 to 8 million dollars.

Let us remind that the so-called Russian package also contains T-72 tanks and BRDM-2M armored vehicles. According to earlier arrangements, the Serbian Armed Forces will get 30 overhauled and modernized tanks worth at least a million euros per vehicle.

By the end of next year, the Serbian Armed Forces will also get 30 armored scout vehicles of the BRDM-2M type from the Russian Federation. The modernized vehicle, well known to our military, will feature a much improved sensor system and be equipped with a 14.5-mm machine gun.

As Sputnik learns, negotiations with the Russian side about the deadlines for the beginning of the overhaul and the delivery of armored combat and scout vehicles are in progress.

All this should be completed by the end of 2018, and the dynamics of the shipment of the vehicles depend on both sides, that is, on their ability to organize the overhaul and the transport.

Vojska Srbije

Serbian Armed Forces

MiG 29

An 26

Antonov aircraft

military airplanes

military aircraft

tank T72

armored vehicle BRDM 2M

tank overhaul

Russian Armed Forces

Armed Forces of the Russian Federation