Serbian Armed Forces’ Pantsir S1 air-defense systems showcased their capabilities for the first time in a large-scale live-fire exercise held at the beginning of the month.
The exercise, called Sadejstvo 2020, took place in central Serbia and saw the participation of 2.800 soldiers, over 150 vehicles and other systems and around 40 aircraft. It is unclear how many Pantsir S1 systems, which started arriving from Russia in early 2020, took part. Video footage shared by the defense ministry showed at least four systems engaging targets at the Pester shooting range. Reports say Serbia is slated to receive six Pantsir S1s.
Sadejstvo 2020 was also an opportunity to test the Chinese CH-92A unmanned aerial vehicles. The defense ministry added that the exercise allowed the Serbian Air Force MiG-29 aircraft to employ S-8 rockets against ground targets for the first time in over 20 years. Yugoslavian Super Galeb G-4 light ground-attack aircraft also took part in the maneuver.
Other systems that were put to the test include M-84 tanks, NORA-B52 self-propelled howitzers, Oganj MLRS, and the Kub surface-to-air missile system.
