The Serbian air force (ViPVO) has taken delivery of its first two Utva Lasta basic trainers, the service's commander-in-chief, Brigadier General Ranko Zivak, said on 9 December.
Designated the V-54 by Belgrade, the first production example for ViPVO arrived at Batajnica airbase in mid-October and will be handed over to 252 Training Sqn.
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Brig Gen Zivak said its entire order of 15 aircraft is expected to be delivered by the end of 2012.
The Lycoming AEIO-540-L1B5D-powered Lastas are the first new aircraft for the Serbian armed forces since the last Utva G-4 Super Galeb jets were delivered around two decades ago. The entire order will be fulfilled as ViPVO gears up to celebrate its 100th anniversary in December 2012.
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Serbia's examples are based on the P2 prototype and feature more modern avionics - using Garmin's G500 system - than the batch of 20 Lasta 95Ns previously delivered to Iraq.
ViPVO said the upgraded equipment will cut training costs.
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| © Igor Salinger |
The Lasta is equipped with two hardpoints and can carry unguided 57mm rockets, gun pods or "dumb" bombs.
Meanwhile, Brig Gen Zivak said that it is looking to procure a number of Mil Mi-17 helicopters, in addition to two refurbished models that were recently introduced to the service.
Source: Flight International
