30.01.2009.
Major General Dragan Katanic gives an interview to Vecernje Novosti
AVIATION IS SPREADING ITS WINGS
Serbian military air force after many years of a stale mate it has finally coming to its feet. The plan is to enable Serbia to get a serious, modern aviation in the next few years through acquiring new air crafts and through repairing old ones”, says in his interview to “Vecernje Novosti” the SAF Air Force Commander Major General Dragan Katanic.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: The last year seems to have been very successful?
DRAGAN KATANIC In comparison to 2005, when we almost discontinued all flights, we have come a long way and it is beyond comparison. Ever since mid 2006 we have had no problems with the shortage of jet fuel and the training of pilots has lasted ever since. We finished last year with 27 flight hours per pilot, which is incomparable with only five hours in 2005. Furthermore, we have repaired 16 aircrafts, including four MiG 29 aircrafts, AN 26, Jak 40 and two HT-40 helicopters. In the next month or so, deliver the fifth MiG 29 wil to us. The training process has been improved and after many years, we have finally come to exercise night flying and combat activities on ground targets.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI What stage is the current project of Supergaleb modernization at?
DRAGAN KATANIC
We expect to choose a strategic partner by the end of autumn. This will be a very arduous and significant task is estimated to cost some 4 to 5 million EUR per aircraft. Another 14 planes are to be modernized which will enable us to get a training-fighter aircraft with equipment of “Gripen” or F16.VECERNJE NOVOSTI: The buying of another plane is in the plan. What kind of an aircraft do we require?
DRAGAN KATANIC: A modern multi-purpose aircraft is the one, which can perform all fighter, bombardment and reconnaissance tasks. A concrete type we need has not been established yet, but such are F-16, F-18, “Eurofighter”, “Grippen”, MiG 29, Su 30…These are aircrafts, which can be used for decades with planned modernizing. These aircrafts are very expensive-from 30 to 50 million euros. This is why we have to be far-sighted and very careful in the process of acquiring.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Last years two aircrafts crashed, and we even had one fatality, pilot Istvan Kanas. What caused these accidents?
DRAGAN KATANIC: The committee for establishing the reasons for these crashes have finished their job. “Orao” aircraft crashed due to partial failure of flight commands. Since the failure occurred during the flight and in the air, the pilot was unable to use the controls, and made the right decision to eject from the plane. In the case of crash of Supergaleb G4, Lt. Col. Kanas did not do this unfortunately. He was our top pilot who pushed both himself and the plane beyond the limits in an attempt to save both the aircrafts and himself. Unfortunately, he did not succeed and lost his life.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Lasta 95, a new plane, is a type of aircraft even foreign armies show interest in. How far have we come with this project?
DRAGAN KATANIC: The final ground test have lasted for a month now at Batajnica air base and we hope to start with flight tests in the next two weeks at the latest. This is modern, training aircraft. We hope to make it as competitive as possible due to low prices at the world market and low maintenance costs. Lasta costs 500.00 EUR, while “pilatus’, a similar aircraft costs three times as much.
I DO NOT TAKE SIDES
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: The public thinks you are one of the most serious candidates for the post of the Chief of SAF GS. Have you had any offers?
DRAGAN KATANIC: Not, so far. Such decision will be made by the President of the Republic.
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: Defense Minister Dragan Sutanovac was awarded the flight symbol at the moment when the dispute between him and the Chief of SAFG GS LTG Ponos had already erupted. Could this be interpreted as taking sides?
DRAGAN KATANIC: The decision to award the pilot sign to the Minister of Defense was made at the beginning of September, after the Minister’s flight on MiG 29 and it was based on the conviction that the minister greatly contributed to the general revival and frther development of our air force. Based on the Pilot Rulebook of Regulations, this acknowledgement is always awarded on 24 December on the Day of Air Force, so this ceremony was by no means in the function of taking sides.
NECESSARY
VECERNJE NOVOSTI: The public usually says that our aircrafts are old, that are our army has no funds, so the main question is whether we at all need the aviation?
DRAGAN KATANIC:
No neighbouring country has yet forsaken its air force, on the contrary, they are planning the purchase of new planes. We do need our air force, mostly because of the control and the protection of our air space. As for the comments regarding the life span of our air crafts do not hold water, as we are taking all measures to modernize and repair our aviation.
