Six Chinese Y-20 aircraft deliver missiles to Russia-ally Serbia
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| People's Liberation Army Air Force Y-20 transport aircraft. |
As shown by several images on the web, six Chinese Air Force Y-20 cargo planes landed at Belgrade civilian airport last Saturday, carrying HQ-22 surface-to-air missile systems for the Serbian Army.
No official communications have been released by the Serbian government on the matter, however, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday that he will present "the newest pride" of the Serbian Army on Tuesday or Wednesday.
In 2020, US officials warned Belgrade against purchasing HQ-22 anti-aircraft systems, known overseas as the FK-3. They said that if Serbia really wants to join the European Union and other Western alliances, it will have to align its military equipment with Western standards. The HQ-22 is a missile system similar to the American Patriot or the Russian S-300.
Serbia, which is formally seeking EU membership, has already bolstered its armed forces with Russian and Chinese weapons, including warplanes, tanks and other equipment.
Western governments fear that the new weapons could encourage Serbia into another war, especially against its former province of Kosovo which proclaimed independence in 2008. Serbia, Russia and China do not recognize the state of Kosovo, unlike the United States and most western countries.
In 2020, US officials warned Belgrade against purchasing HQ-22 anti-aircraft systems, known overseas as the FK-3. They said that if Serbia really wants to join the European Union and other Western alliances, it will have to align its military equipment with Western standards. The HQ-22 is a missile system similar to the American Patriot or the Russian S-300.
Serbia, which is formally seeking EU membership, has already bolstered its armed forces with Russian and Chinese weapons, including warplanes, tanks and other equipment.
Western governments fear that the new weapons could encourage Serbia into another war, especially against its former province of Kosovo which proclaimed independence in 2008. Serbia, Russia and China do not recognize the state of Kosovo, unlike the United States and most western countries.
Written by Darren Bondi
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