Republika Srpska Air Force
| Air Force and Air Defense of the Republika Srpska Army | |
|---|---|
| Ратно ваздухопловство и противваздушна одбрана Војске Републике Српске | |
V i PVO RS patch | |
| Active | 1992–2006 |
| Country | Bosnia and Herzegovina (after 1995) |
| Allegiance | Republika Srpska |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Part of | Army of Republika Srpska |
| Garrison/HQ | Banja Luka |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Roundel (version No.2) | |
| Roundel (version No.3) | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | J-22, G-4, J-21, SA.342 GAMA |
| Reconnaissance | IJ-21, SA.341 HERA |
| Trainer | Utva 75, G-4, NJ-21 |
| Transport | Mi-8 |
The Republika Srpska Air Force (Serbian: Ратно ваздухопловство и противваздушна одбрана Војске Републике Српске, romanized: Ratno vazduhoplovstvo i protivvazdušna odbrana Vojske Republike Srpske, lit. 'Air Force and Air Defense of the Republika Srpska Army') was the air force of Republika Srpska.[1][2]
History
In May 1992, the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) with the support of the Federal Yugoslav Air Force quickly established its own air force at Banja Luka; The Republika Srpska Air Force provided support to VRS units fighting against Croat and Muslim Bosnian forces during Operation Corridor 92, linking Yugoslavia with the Bosnian Serb-held areas around Banja Luka.[3]
Even after the United Nations imposed a no-fly zone in Bosnia in 1992, the Republika Srpska Air Force continued conducting combat sorties, while ground crews kept combat aircraft airworthy in late 1992.[4] While all warring factions in the Bosnian War including the VRS avoided employing fighter aircraft between 1993 and 1994, they all made extensive use of helicopters for resupplying missions.[3]
Structure
1992–1995
According to Tim Ripley, the order of battle in 1995 was:[3]
- Banja Luka International Airport
- 92nd Air Brigade
- 238th Fighter Squadron
- 92nd Multi-role Squadron
- Zaluzani
- 11th Helicopter Regiment
- 16× Soko Gazelle (SA-341H/342L variants)
- 18× Mil Mi-8
- 11th Helicopter Regiment
Post-1995
According to Janes, the Republika Srpska Air Force had a total of 14,000 personnel in 2003, while aircraft was limited by international peace treaties to 21 fixed-wing combat aircraft. Janes also estimated that 30 helicopters and several light aircraft were in service in 2003.[2]
Inventory
In 2004, the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated that the Republika Srpska Air Force had 19 fixed-wing combat aircraft, 33 helicopters, and 2 UTVA 75 trainers.[5]
| Aircraft | Origin | Role | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat | ||||
| Soko J-22 Orao | Yugoslavia | Attack | 7[5] | |
| Soko J-21 Jastreb | Yugoslavia | Attack | 11[5] | 2 IJ-21s were used for reconnaissance and 3 NJ-21s were also used for training.[5] |
| Soko G-4 Super Galeb | Yugoslavia | Attack | 1[5] | Also used for training.[5] |
| Helicopter | ||||
| Soko Gazelle | France / Yugoslavia | Attack | 22[5] | SA-342 built under license.[6] HO-42, HO-45, and HN-45M variants used.[5] |
| Mil Mi-8 | Soviet Union | Utility | 11[5] | |
| Trainer | ||||
| UTVA 75 | Yugoslavia | Utility | 2[5] | |
References
- ^ Laslie, Brian D. (2024). Fighting from above: a combat history of the US Air Force. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 165. ISBN 9780806193663. Retrieved 9 November 2025 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b Wragg, David W. (2003). "Bosnia-Herzegovina". Jane's Air Forces of the World: The History and Composition of the World's Air Forces. London: Collins. p. 25. ISBN 9780007115679. Retrieved 9 March 2026 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c Ripley, Tim (2013). Conflict in the Balkans 1991–2000 (PDF e-book ed.). Oxford, United Kingdom: Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 10, 17, 81. ISBN 978-1-84603-748-1 – via Google Books.
- ^ Dimitrijević, Bojan (2021). Operation Deliberate Force: Air War Over Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1992–1995. Warwick, England: Helion & Company Limited. p. 14. ISBN 978-1-915113-36-8.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j International Institute for Strategic Studies (January 2004). "Non-NATO Europe". The Military Balance. 104 (1). Taylor & Francis: 77–96. doi:10.1080/725292378. ISSN 0459-7222. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ^ Balkan Battlegrounds: A Military History of the Yugoslav Conflict. Central Intelligence Agency, Office of Russian and European Analysis. 2002. p. xxix. ISBN 978-0-16-066472-4. Retrieved 9 March 2026 – via Google Books.