A little while ago, the Serbian Ministry of Defence (Министарство одбране Републике Србије) published a reportage related to aviation training programme which was ongoing at the Colonel-Pilot Milenko Pavlović military airfield in Batajnica. The course was intended for officers who were admitted to professional military service, after completing the Reserve Aviation Officer Course and cadet pilots of the Military Academy.
The drill was organised by the 252nd Training Squadron of the 204th Air Brigade and training flights were conducted on UTVA 75 and G-4 Super Galeb training aircraft.
The aforementioned reportage created a perfect opportunity to remind one of the most-interesting aircraft manufactured in the former Yugoslavia – the almost-forgotten light utility aeroplane UTVA 75.
The aircraft was developed in 1975 (hence the ´U-75´ or just ´75´ in its designation) by UTVA Aviation Industry (Утва Авио Индустрија), the aircraft manufacturer with a long-time history. The company was founded in 1937 and initially manufactured gliders. Two years later, UTVA began with production of piston-powered engine aircraft, including military trainers.
At the beginning, there was a license made version of Bü 131 Jungmann, then two Ikarus designs known as 212 and 213, and finally UTVA Aero 3. The latter was a single-engine, low-wing monoplane that performed its maiden flight in 1956 and within two years became the primary training aircraft of the Yugoslav Air Force. This aircraft remained in active service until the mid-1970s, when its traditional wood and fabric design, as well as spartan equipment became already obsolete.
The UTVA 75, for the Yugoslav Air Force, was not only the highly anticipated successor of the Aero 3 but also meant a generational change. The new aircraft was built as a completely new concept of modern, simple but reliable trainer.
The aeroplane was based on two earlier developments of the UTVA company, designated M-10 and M-11. The first was a two-seat utility aircraft, while the other was four-seat touring aeroplane. Reportedly, both were designed with assistance from the Polish aviation manufacturers, but the cooperation was shortly cancelled due to financial reasons.
Eventually, the M-10 concept was turned into the U-75 training aircraft. It was the all-metal low-wing monoplane, with fixed tricycle landing gear and two seats in side-by-side configuration. The aeroplane was powered by single four-cylinder Lycoming O-360-B1F engine, generating 185 hp.
On 19th May 1976, the UTVA 75 performed its first flight. Soon after, it became the primary trainer of the Yugoslav Air Force.
The new trainer was recognised for its stability, manoeuvrability and versatility. It was the great platform for primary training but also certified to perform basic aerobatics (between +6 and -3 g). In addition, the UTVA 75 was equipped with hook to tow gliders or air targets, as well as could be equipped with two pylons to carry additional fuel tanks, cargo containers, bombs, unguided rocket missiles or machine gun pods.
Production of the UTVA 75 trainer for the Yugoslav Air Force was continued until 1985, when it was ceased. A total of 136 examples of the aircraft was built.
When production of the U-75 for the military was concluded, the company made an attempt to introduce the aircraft into civilian market. In 1986, an upgraded, four-seat variant designated UTVA-75A41 was developed. Although the aeroplane was equipped with modern, Western avionics it did not longer meet current standards of touring aircraft industry, especially regarding comfort and noise. Therefore, only prototypes of the aircraft were completed, and the project was abandoned shortly after.
The UTVA 75 was manufactured solely by the Yugoslav aviation industry, not counting the engine and a few more foreign components, and stayed almost essentially an aircraft for domestic market only. Initially, the aeroplanes were used by the Yugoslav Air Force and then, successively, handed over to local aeroclubs.
After the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the trainers were taken over by air forces and aeroclubs of newly established states. However, after a few years, all of them but Serbia retired the UTVA 75 from the active military service. Today, a few dozen aircraft of that type remain airworthy in private ownership across the Balkans.
In 2009, up to six examples of the second-hand U-75 trainers were acquired by the Sudanese Air Force. Reportedly, the country made an attempt to launch serial production of the aircraft. At least one aeroplane (or two, according to some sources) was modernised by the SAFAT Aviation Group to a new variant, designated SAFAT 03. An example of that aircraft was then showcased at the Dubai Air Show in 2011.
At the end of 2024, the social media of Somaliland, an unrecognised state in the Horn of Africa, issued an official statement about establishing the country´s air force. According to that press release, the new branch of the Somaliland armed forces was equipped with the UTVA 75 aeroplanes. In addition, the Somaliland Aviation Academy was founded in October of 2024, hiring some personnel from Serbia, the statement said. Moreover, the government-supported account on Facebook posted a footage showing Muse Bihi Abdi, the President of Somaliland, flying in the U-75 with an instructor.
In 2011, the Serbian Air Force and Air Defence (Ратно ваздухопловство и противваздухопловна одбрана Војске Србије) received a new, modern primary training aircraft, designated UTVA Lasta 95 (English: swallow). However, the U-75 remained in active service and is still being used for evaluating candidates to the Military Academy, training of the technical personnel, glider towing and liaison duties, as well as additional training tasks, with the training programme mentioned at the beginning and currently ongoing in Batajnica, being one of examples.
For young men and women who would like to become pilots of the Serbian Armed Forces, the aforementioned Reserve Aviation Officer Course is one of possible opportunities. The candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree obtained from a civilian faculty and must be up to 27 years old this year. After a six-month training, the best candidates will be given the opportunity to join professional military service and to continue training as aviation officers. In the future, they will be able to become aeroplane or helicopter pilots of the country´s air force, as well as pilot-operators of unmanned aerial systems.
Photos 1-3 © Министарство одбране Републике Србије / MoD Republic of Serbia. MoD press releases were used.
