28.12.2024.
Acquisition of C-295 aircraft enhances Air Force’s capabilities
The operational capabilities of the 204th Air Brigade have been significantly enhanced with the introduction of the modern Airbus C-295 transport aircraft. In addition to the new personnel and cargo airlift capabilities, members of this Air Force and Air Defence unit have been given the opportunity to use a cutting-edge navigation system.
Aircraft are the backbone of the 138th Transport Squadron, which is stationed at the Colonel-Pilot Milenko Pavlović military airport in Batajnica.Deputy squadron commander Major Miloš Tasić says that the new Airbus aircraft have added novelty to the work of his unit.
— With these aircraft, we have gained new capabilities and improved our fleet, because we have replaced the old Antonov 26, increasing the range and payload capacity by fifty percent. This transport aircraft is equipped with cutting-edge avionics, which allow flying in all weather conditions, during the day and night - says Major Tasić.
The newly introduced aircraft can carry up to 70 troops, or 50 persons in a “passenger” variant, or, if needed, 24 stretchers plus 7 medical attendants. Due to its low fuel consumption, this aircraft has proved to be extremely economical and capable of flying over long distances.Major Tasić stresses that, since it entered service, this aircraft has successfully conducted a series of lifts, both in the country and abroad.
— One of the most significant events was our aircraft’s participation at the RIAT Air Show 2024 in England, where the Serbian tricolour and roundel were presented for the first time. We occupied the central area at the exhibition, and people approached our stand enthusiastically, taking photos and commenting on our participation - said the deputy squadron commander, expressing his hope that his unit would worthily represent Serbian Air Force at other international air shows.
The Airbus C-295 transport aircraft was purchased last year for the Serbian Armed Forces from Airbus Defence and Space based in Spain. Serbian pilots and aircraft technicians were trained to operate this aircraft in Seville, where the Airbus C-295 production plant is located. In the meantime, the test pilot training has been successfully conducted, so, apart from the crews responsible for performing unit-specific tasks, the unit also has fully trained test flight crews.