Batajnica Open Day - Serbia, 22th april

[Levente]

IN HONOR of the Day of the Serbian Armed Forces on April 22, the Ministry of Defense will organize the largest display of weapons and military equipment to date, where almost everything from the arsenal of the armed forces will be displayed. At the "Colonel Pilot Milenko Pavlović" Airport in Batajnica, domestically produced weapons will be presented, as well as military equipment purchased abroad in recent years. According to announcements, it will be the most impressive military event in recent history, and it will be open to the public.

https://www.novosti.rs/drustvo/vesti/12 ... v7VBSlrDKQ

[GoldenPlane]

They talk about to display 500 ‘Weapons’.

Anyone with some more info, such as times etc, or tips from the past?

Jordy

[michel N]

They talk about to display 500 ‘Weapons’.

Anyone with some more info, such as times etc, or tips from the past?

Jordy

It’s gonna be a big propaganda event. I’ve read in local media that for the last week many vehicles like tanks and SPG’s were to be transported by train to Batajnica.
They want to show “everything they have”, which includes lots of army equipment. The closest runway (to the general public) will be full of vehicles.
So not purely an aviation event.

The event is called “Granit 2023”

[Levente]

Arrived yesterday from Batajnica.
There were solo demos from the Air Force (H145, Mi-35M, Super Galeb, Gazelle, Lasta) and the Ministry of the Interior (H215, Ka-32). Were were leaving around 15:30, the event closed at 16:00, but we did not heard any MiG-29 solo
There was a power demo with all of the helicopters and jets from the air force.
Crowd was huge, I mean huge.
Lot of static display from air force and ground forces. Lot of new stuff, weapons.
I really enjoyed it, cause for me a simple bomb, that was displayed for the first time, next to a helicopter ot a jet, gets me goosebumps. Probably it was not the best oportunity to make photos of the Serbain air force equipment in the air. They were showcasing weapons that are still in development too.
Sometimes I heard people talking english, so my quess some photos will emerge soon.
I did videos, that I will upload to my channel.

[JA37]

What a RIDICILOUS event!

I was aware this will be something different to other events in Europe, but for god's sake!!!! Offering 1 (one!) single food stand for tens of thousands and on the other hand repelling people with food bags at the entrance was a real disgrace and made me wonder, if they also hate their own population as much as the hate others: "HEYYY!!!! One camera one smartphone only. No food. No drinks. No bags. GO BACK".

At least not even all of the staff was aware of their own rules.

From an aviation enthusiasts view it is a pity, how poorly organized this event was in comparison to other events around Europe. Honestly - I did not expect much and was nevertheless disappointed. Not mainly about the event and displays - those were known anyhow before the event (we KNEW there was 1 hour flying only) - but of the impolite treatment, shouting and trying to intimidate people who just came to have a good day at an something like an "one hour only" airshow. Well done!

Better get yourself a printed copy of the 2023 Batajnica bible for next event:

https://i.ibb.co/VgfkPFW/Serbia.jpg

[michel N]

I can’t agree with many things you say. I had a camera bag, 3 bottles of water/cola, and something to eat. All in this one bag. It was checked, but could walk on without any problem.
The airpower demo and parade lasted about one hour, after midday, there were some nice displays, by Lasta, H215 and Kamov 32.
And at the end of the show, many participants (Hinds, Gazelles, H145M, Orao) left to their homebases, and made a nice flyby.
And… where do you see 10 Gazelles, 4 Hinds, 4 H145, 10 Orao, 8 Mig-29, 4 Super Galeb, 6 Mi-8/Mi-17, 6 Lasta 95 and 2 Utva 75 in an aerial display?
Plus two very nice visitors from Republika Srpska…

All in all, it was a very enjoyable day.

The hundreds of T-72, BMP, BTR, air defences and other military equipment added something really unique to the atmosphere.

All in all, a great day, to be remembered for a long time.

[JA37]

I can only tell what happened at the main gate to a group of +40 photographers from all over Europe at the start of the day, well known to many.
You were lucky to have passed, which makes the whole event not less lousy.

When reading your adulation I hear the voice of Ri Chun-hee...

[michel N]

I can only tell what happened at the main gate to a group of +40 photographers from all over Europe at the start of the day, well known to many.
You were lucky to have passed, which makes the whole event not less lousy...

We used the tactic of meddling into the local crowd. As it’s known they have some issues with letting foreigners on base (in the past that wasn’t even allowed).

[JA37]

We used the tactic of meddling into the local crowd. As it’s known they have some issues with letting foreigners on base (in the past that wasn’t even allowed).

So what I have written was official and correct, and you were only more "lucky". Thanks we have pointed that out now.

[michel N]

Haha, that’s a way to see it. Being well informed and prepared is key to success.

[Fishbed_9307]

I totally agree with Michel. I went to Serbia and I knew upfront it's not the most cheerful people in the world, especially the military and especially towards foreigners, let alone spotter. I know about the hassle some people had but it depended on the gate that you chose so there was probably some kind of a nasty SOB at the main gate or so.

Had a thoroughly enjoyable day though! The log speaks for itself! (additions and corrections most welcome)

22 april 2023 Batajnica «Granit 2023 »

Static:
12712 SA 341H (HI-42) not noted
23733 G4 Super Galeb (N-62) not noted
53237 UTVA 75 (V-53) not noted
54011 Lasta 95 (V-54) proto TOC
54012 Lasta 95 (V-54) proto TOC
54205 Lasta 95 (V-54) 252.shtae
54212 Lasta 95 (V-54) 252.shtae
71386 An-26 (T-70) 138.tae
YU-UTA UTVA 75 civil

12491 Mi-17V-5 (HT-49 890.mhe
12503 H 145M (H-50) 119.mhe
12803 SA 341H (HN-45M not noted
12905 SA342L1 (HN-45M) not noted
18202 MiG-29 9.13 (L-18) 101.lae
23645 G4 Super Galeb (N-62) not noted
25122 J 2 Orao (J-22A) TOC?

101.lae flightline:

101.lae : MiG-29B 9.12B : 18101 18102 18108
101.lae : MiG-29 9.13 : 18201 18203QRA 18204spare 18205 18206 18207QRA
101.lae : MiG-29UB : 18351 18352

Flightline 1 23638 G4 Super Galeb (N-62) TOC

Not noted : UTVA 75 (V-53) : 53252 53258spare 53261

252.shtae : Lasta 95 (V-54) : 54204 54206spare 54207(solo TOC) 54208 54209
54210 54213 54215

54207 did the solo display and was towed to the TOC hangar later on.
Flightline 2

VOC? : TJ-2 Orao (NJ-22) : 25531

(towed to the TOC hangar after the event)

241.lbae : J-2 Orao (J-22) : 25121 25171 25175 25207
241.lbae: TJ-2 Orao (NJ-22) : 25507 25512 25528 25529 25530

All but 25529, 25530 and 25531 departed after the show so are presumed to be Ladjevci based aircraft.

Hangar
18151 MiG-29 9.12A 101.lae (tail visible only)
(18301) MiG-29UB 101.lae

Hangar
12880 SA 342L1 (HO-45) not noted
54214 Lasta 95 (V-54) 252.shtae

This hangar contained another three Gazelles which looked stored and a fuselage of an unknown type.

Hangar display
12890 SA 342L1 (HO-45) not noted
54211 Lasta 95 (V-54) 252.shtae

Hangar MOMA 12870 SA 342L1 (HO-45) not noted

Flypast:

QRA demo:
18203 MiG-29 9.13 (L-18) 101.lae
18207 MiG-29 9.13 (L-18) 101.lae

Formation 1:
18101 MiG-29B 9.12B (L-18) 101.lae to the static display after landing
18201 MiG-29 9.13 (L-18) 101.lae
18206 MiG-29 9.13 (L-18) 101.lae to the static display after landing
18351 MiG-29UB (NL-18) 101.lae

Formation 2:
18102 MiG-29B 9.12B (L-18) 101.lae
18108 MiG-29B 9.12B (L-18) 101.lae
18205 MiG-29 9.13 (L-18) 101.lae
18352 MiG-29UB (NL-18) 101.lae

Formation 3:
25171 J2 Orao (J-22A) 241.lbae special tail mks
25207 J2 Orao (J-22A) 241.lbae demo c/s
25507 JT2 Orao (NJ-22) 241.lbae
25528 JT2 Orao (NJ-22) 241.lbae
25531 JT2 Orao (NJ-22) TOC to the static display after landing

Formation 3:
25121 J2 Orao (J-22) 241.lbae
25175 J2 Orao (J-22A) 241.lbae special tail mks
25512 JT2 Orao (NJ-22) 241.lbae
25529 JT2 Orao (NJ-22) 241.lbae
25530 JT2 Orao (NJ-22) 241.lbae to the static display after landing

Formation 4:
23627 G4 Super Galeb (N-62) 252.shtae to the static display after landing
23735 G4 Super Galeb (N-62) 252.shtae
23738 G4 Super Galeb (N-62) 252.shtae to the static display after landing
23744 G4 Super Galeb (N-62) 252.shtae

Formation 5:
54208 Lasta 95 (V-54) 252.shtae
54213 Lasta 95 (V-54) 252.shtae to the static display after landing
54215 Lasta 95 (V-54) 252.shtae

Formation 6:
54204 Lasta 95 (V-54) 252.shtae
54209 Lasta 95 (V-54) 252.shtae to the static display after landing
54210 Lasta 95 (V-54) 252.shtae

Formation 7:
53252 UTVA-75 (V-53) not noted
53261 UTVA-75 (V-53) not noted

Formation 8:
35101 Mi-35M (HB-47) 714.phe
35102 Mi-35M (HB-47) 714.phe later solo display
35103 Mi-35M (HB-47) 714.phe aborted before flypast
35104 Mi-35M (HB-47) 714.phe

Formation 9:
12269 Mi-8T (HT-40 890.mhe
12366 Mi-8T (HT-40) 890.mhe

Did not depart, probably based here.

Formation 10:
14501 H 145M (H-50BS) 119.mhe
14502 H 145M (H-50BS) 119.mhe later solo display
14504 H 145M (H-50BS) 119.mhe
14505 H 145M (H-50BS) 119.mhe

Formation 11:
12806 SA 341H (HN-45M) 119.mhe
12821 SA 341H (HN-45M) 119.mhe
12902 SA 341H (HN-45M) 119.mhe
12914 SA 341H (HN-45M) 119.mhe
12916 SA 341H (HN-45M) 119.mhe later solo display
12918 SA 341H (HN-45M) 119.mhe

All departed after the show. Most were previously seen with 119.mhe so assumed to be Nis based aircraft.

Formation 12:
12719 SA 341H (HI-42) not noted
12835 SA 341H (HN-45M demod) not noted
12901 SA 341L1 (HN-45M demod) not noted
12936 SA 341L1 (HN-45M demod) not noted

Did not depart, probably based here.

Formation 13:
12492 Mi-17V-5 890.mhe
12493 Mi-17V-5 890.mhe
12494 Mi-17V-5 890.mhe
12495 Mi-17V-5 890.mhe


Flying only:
YU-HHJ AS 332L1 Ministry of the Interior
YU-HRS Ka-32A11BC Ministry of the Interior

Did not pay to much attention to the preserved and derelict aircraft. The regular Super Galeb and MiG-21 are still at the respectively Moma and main gate. The Iraqi MiG-23 was seen in between trees along with some MiG-21s (probably also Iraqi's - they appeared to have been moved from their previous location somewhere in 2022). Also a derelict Jastreb? was seen in the Moma area along with some MiG-21 fuselages under camouflage netting. Behind the main Moma hangar two MiG-21's and an Mi-8 fuselage could be seen through some camouflage netting.

The massive storage area on the other side of the base was not visited.A lot of aircraft from various types could be seen in the distance. Check out Google Maps for more details. Also the active Super Galeb fleet was parked in this area during the event.

[michel N]

In the morning 2 helicopters arrived from Republika Srpska with their president on board
E7-PCI AW.119Ke
E7-SHB Bell 206B-3
Both departed in the afternoon.

In the morning Hungarian A319 605 passed on the way to Belgrade, carrying Orban to Batajnica

[Levente]

In the morning 2 helicopters arrived from Republika Srpska with their president on board
E7-PCI AW.119Ke
E7-SHB Bell 206B-3
Both departed in the afternoon.

In the morning Hungarian A319 605 passed on the way to Belgrade, carrying Orban to Batajnica

The Hungarian Minister of National Defense and the CEO of the National Defense Industry Innovation Holding was there as well.

[Fishbed_9307]

In the morning 2 helicopters arrived from Republika Srpska with their president on board
E7-PCI AW.119Ke
E7-SHB Bell 206B-3
Both departed in the afternoon.

In the morning Hungarian A319 605 passed on the way to Belgrade, carrying Orban to Batajnica

Damn, ik don't recall seeing the AW119... Saw the Bell 206 though, thanks!

[Patrick Moonen]

Hey paul,

Very nice log,

You forget the PA34 YU-VGI at the static. This is operated bij 138.tae

The 3 Gazelles in the hangar are 12837, 12894 & 12895. Next to them in the same hangar was a G4 Super Galeb 23741.

Patrick