In 1999, during the NATO invasion of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the Serbian 250th Air Defense Brigade, a part of the Yugoslav air defense forces, gained fame for using the second-generation air defense missile, the Sam-3, to down an American F-117A stealth fighter jet. This marked the first instance in human history of using air defense missiles to shoot down a stealth aircraft in open records. More than two decades later, this heroic Serbian unit once again became a global focal point for its generous display of the newly equipped Chinese air defense missile systems. What does it feel like to be armed with advanced Chinese weaponry? How does the outstanding combat record of the Serbian 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade view China’s air defense weaponry? In an exclusive interview with Global Times, Colonel Dalibor Aleksic, the brigade’s air defense commander, shared his perspective on the “use experience” of China’s potent air defense tools from the user’s standpoint.
The FK-3 air defense missile system is equipped by the Serbian 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade. Image source: Serbian Ministry of Defence official website.
“I am very pleased that the Chinese people recognize me.”
In April 2022, news about a “Chinese C-20 large transport aircraft delivering air defense missiles to Serbia” sparked a sensational reaction among foreign media outlets. Subsequently, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry responded in a regular meeting, stating that to implement bilateral cooperation plans between China and Serbia, the Chinese side dispatched an air force transport aircraft to deliver conventional military supplies to Serbia, which was part of the annual cooperation project between the two sides. A year later, the Serbian Ministry of Defence announced on its official website that then-Serbian Minister of Defence Vučić and the Chinese Ambassador to Serbia had visited the Serbian 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade equipped with the FK-3 air defense missile system.
This model of China’s foreign trade anti-aircraft missile has officially been unveiled to the public as the “identity” of its user in Serbia. The legendary tale of this brigade has also been recounted online once again.
“I must emphasize that, in such a great country as China, our brigade can also receive positive evaluations, which makes me very pleased,” Dario Blaber Aleksic told Global Times. The Serbian 250th Anti-Aircraft Brigade was awarded the Serbian National Hero Medal for its achievements and victories during the NATO invasion of Yugoslavia in 1999. This is the highest honor a Serbian military unit can receive. This honor is not only a great honor but also imposes upon the entire brigade the responsibility to uphold the reputation of the unit through dedication. This responsibility is not just within Serbia but worldwide.
“In our long and glorious history, the Serbian people have repeatedly demonstrated a spirit of defiance against power. The fact that the F-117A stealth fighter jet was shot down by the Serbian 250th Anti-Aircraft Brigade’s SA-3 anti-missile system is just one example of the fearless spirit displayed by the Serbian people in their national war history,” said Dario Blaber Aleksic.
During this air defense campaign, the American F-117A stealth fighter jet was shot down by the Serbian 250th Anti-Aircraft Brigade’s SA-3 anti-missile system. Public records show that this missile system, developed by the former Soviet Union in the late 1950s, is a medium-range missile system designed to intercept various low-to-medium altitude incoming aircraft. Its guidance is conducted using radio commands. The American F-117A stealth fighter jet, which was shot down by the Serbian 250th Anti-Aircraft Brigade, was the world’s first stealth fighter jet deployed in combat. The case of the Serbian 250th Anti-Aircraft Brigade using an old SA-3 anti-missile system to shoot down the American F-117A stealth fighter jet is still considered a miracle in human air defense combat history.
The wreckage of the American F-117A stealth fighter jet shot down by the Serbian 250th Anti-Aircraft Brigade is now housed at Belgrade Aviation Museum.
Source: Belgrade Air Museum official website
Discussing the “code” behind this miraculous event, Dario Borić stated that researching and learning the characteristics and tactics of various modern air strike weapons have always been a regular task for the soldiers of the 250th Anti-Air Missile Brigade.
“Before NATO launched its invasion, the soldiers of the 250th Anti-Air Missile Brigade had already gained the capability to counter all possible NATO airborne weapons through comprehensive training,” said Dario Borić. The veterans who participated in this battle were just like today’s soldiers, always committed to maximizing the operational effectiveness of the Sam-3 anti-air missile system. They were also very aware of the advanced fighter jets from the NATO side, such as the F-117A, which featured radar reflector reduction technology. In this air defense campaign, the high level of training of the soldiers of the 250th Anti-Air Missile Brigade was validated. For them, the F-117A was no different from any other target in the sky.
“Despite the technological gap between the equipment of the United States and those of the Yugoslav Union at the time, through high-level combat training combined with superb tactics, we achieved an unprecedented achievement—the American F-117A stealth fighter was once considered undetectable by radar, a formidable presence until it was shot down by the 250th Anti-Air Missile Brigade,” said Dario Borić.
“We are very satisfied with China’s anti-air missile system.”
After purchasing Chinese military equipment, Serbia has not hesitated to publicly display these assets. Politicians and military personnel have expressed their pride in the equipment systems from China at various occasions. For example, during the “Viktorinje” celebration event in June 2024, the Serbian Armed Forces not only publicly showcased the Chinese FK-3 anti-air missile system but also debuted the new Chinese HQ-17AE short-range anti-air missile weapon system for the first time.
At the event, the then-Serbian Prime Minister Vučić stated that HQ-17AE could ensure better protection of Serbia’s airspace and work harmoniously with Serbia’s “most powerful weapon,” the FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system.
The Serbian military showcased the HQ-17AE short-range anti-aircraft missile system. Source: Serbian Ministry of Defense official website.
By the end of the year, the Serbian Ministry of Defense generously displayed the Chinese FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system on its official website. The article mentioned that the Made in China FK-3 is a milestone for Serbia’s “anti-aircraft system.” After equipping with the new FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system, the Serbian Air Force and anti-aircraft forces have significantly enhanced their airspace control and defense capabilities, “this high-mobility missile system protects the skies of Serbia.”
As users of these two types of anti-aircraft missile systems, Darić Aleksić candidly said, “The experience of handling both types of weapons was very good.” The 250th Anti-Aircraft Brigade was satisfied with the combat capabilities, performance, reliability, and ease of operation and maintenance of these two types of weapons.
“On this occasion, I would like to particularly emphasize the outstanding cooperation with the manufacturer representatives, who always willing to meet our needs and make adaptive improvements to the system. The introduction of these two anti-aircraft systems has further strengthened Serbia’s friendly cooperation with China,” said Darić Aleksić.
Previous public information revealed that the FK-3 was first showcased at the China Aviation Exhibition in 2014. It is a newly developed all-weather medium-long range ground-to-air missile system primarily used for regional, key, and field anti-aircraft defense, capable of intercepting various types of fixed-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, tactical ground-to-air missiles, armed helicopters, etc. The FK-3 has strong interference resistance capabilities and comprehensive combat effectiveness.
The launch mode is a four-barrel tubed inclined thermal launch, capable of intercepting air targets from all directions at 360°. It features high speed, quick maneuverability, the ability to intercept large maneuverable targets, and short reaction times and short firing intervals.
The 250 Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade conducted FK-3 anti-aircraft missile training. Image source: Serbian Ministry of Defense official website.
The Serbian military has also generously shared the defensive capabilities of the FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system on its official website: The FK-3 can reach a maximum range of 100 kilometers and a maximum elevation of 27 kilometers. In addition to being able to counter various types of aircraft, helicopters, and cruise missiles, this type of anti-aircraft missile can also defend against ground-to-air missiles with a flight speed of 1000 meters per second. The FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system can protect government buildings, commercial facilities, military units, and territories from air reconnaissance and air attacks, effectively safeguarding the sovereignty of Serbia’s airspace.
“The introduction of the FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system has enhanced Serbia’s air defense system in every aspect. Specifically, it has significantly increased the distance for reliable detection and tracking of targets, expanded the area of destruction, increased the number of available target channels, and improved the probability of destroying targets,” said Dariber Jalic, indicating that the FK-3 system had completed most of its integration before delivery and achieved full integration during the final acceptance phase. The FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system has been fully integrated into Serbia’s command structure, ensuring synergy with other modern combat equipment in Serbia’s air defense system.
The 250 Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade conducted FK-3 anti-aircraft missile training. Image source: Serbian Ministry of Defense official website.
Another Chinese-developed short-range anti-aircraft missile weapon system, HQ-17AE, introduced by Serbia, is hailed as “the hunter of low altitude.”
The vehicle-mounted system of this type is highly integrated, capable of independent combat. It possesses the ability to search, track, and launch missiles during movement, with a combat altitude ranging from 10 meters to over ten kilometers. A single vehicle can simultaneously direct four missiles at four targets, demonstrating exceptional maneuverability and multi-target capability.
“The deployment of FK-3 and HQ-17AE first enhanced the efficiency of Serbia’s air defense system—an essential factor in determining victory in modern armed conflicts. At the same time, it has strengthened the ability to protect its forces and critical infrastructure within a wide range and heightened by mobile deployment or positional warfare, against various types of air strike weapons,” said Dario Aleksic.
“The Chinese HQ-19 Anti-Missile Weapon System Captivates Me”
Recently, due to China’s J-10CE fighter jets shining brightly in foreign military air battles, Chinese weaponry has sparked a “Chinese wave” at major international defense exhibitions. The export arms systems, including the J-10CE, FK-3 air defense missile system, and HQ-17AE short-range air defense missile system, have become hot topics for foreign media discussions due to their superior performance.
In Dario Aleksic’s view, the Chinese military industry is a “treasure trove.” Besides FK-3 and HQ-17AE, many other Chinese weapon systems have also captivated him as an “arms expert.”
“I will closely monitor the latest achievements in the development of weapons and military equipment abroad, including those developed by China. This is part of my job responsibility,” Dario Aleksic stated. If he had to single out some particularly impressive results, they would undoubtedly be those within his research scope.
“Among them, the most fascinating to me is undoubtedly the HQ-19 anti-missile weapon system that made its debut at the China Air Show in 2024.
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Moreover, he also believes that China’s fifth-generation fighter jet, the J-35A, is equally outstanding. China also possesses a variety of drones with exceptional performance, among which the “Dragonfly 2” and “Dragonfly 3” series are particularly fascinating to him.
“In recent years, China’s nuclear arsenal has also made significant progress, especially in the development of ballistic missiles. Here, I would particularly emphasize the Dongfeng series of missiles, whose range spans from short-range to intercontinental, with Dongfeng-17, Dongfeng-31, and Dongfeng-41 standing out for their unique characteristics. Furthermore, the speed at which China is advancing its space program is impressive,” said Dario Alesi.