Serbia integrates Chinese missiles into MiG-29 fighter jets
Serbia has become the first European country to adopt the Chinese CM-400AKG air-to-ground ballistic missile. President Aleksandar Vučić confirmed that the Serbian Air Force already possesses a ‘significant number’ of these weapons and plans to purchase more.
According to him, the missiles have already been integrated into Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, which Serbia has modified to carry them.
However, the purchase has drawn criticism from Croatia, an EU and NATO member, which described it as a move threatening regional stability and a signal of a potential arms race in the Balkans.
The CM-400AKG is manufactured by the Chinese company CASIC and is a supersonic ballistic missile with a range of about 400 kilometres. It can carry various types of warheads, including a penetrator designed to destroy fortified targets.
Serbia has been significantly modernising its military in recent years. In addition to Chinese FK-3 air defence systems and combat drones, it has also purchased 12 French Rafale fighter jets and other equipment from Airbus.
(Reuters, MJA)