Serbian Air Force and Air Defence

The Serbian Air Force and Air Defence is structured as a maneuver service of the armed forces, tasked with controlling and protecting the nation's airspace, deterring aggression, and providing air defense and support to ground forces. Its core organization is built around several key formations: the 204th and 98th Air Force Brigades, the 250th Air Defence Missile Brigade, the 126th Air Surveillance, Early Warning and Guidance (ASEWG) Brigade, and various support battalions. This structure integrates combat aviation, surface-to-air missile units, and a robust radar and command network essential for territorial air defense.

Serbia's strategic doctrine is centered on maintaining national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The country's defense policy aims to build an effective, modern defense system while pursuing integration into European security structures. The air force's role within this doctrine is to act as a powerful deterrent by possessing the capability to inflict significant costs on any potential aggressor, thereby preventing surprise attacks and protecting critical infrastructure and military forces from air threats.

The Air Force is moving away from its legacy Soviet-era equipment, the most notable recent development being the agreement with France to purchase 12 Dassault Rafale F4 multirole fighter jets, a deal valued at approximately €2.7 billion. This acquisition marks a major strategic shift towards Western military technology. The first aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2028. Concurrently, Serbia has been upgrading its existing fleet of MiG-29 fighters, which were acquired from Russia and Belarus, to maintain operational capabilities in the interim. This dual approach of sustaining current assets while investing in next-generation platforms highlights a pragmatic transition strategy. Modernization also extends to the helicopter fleet and the acquisition of Chinese FK-3 air defense systems.