Partner 2023: Serbia rolls out new self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and missile system

Reminiscent of an earlier trend in SPAAG design, the Harpas system utilises a M-84 main battle tank hull combined with a turret equipped with anti-aircraft weaponry. (Janes/Christopher Petrov)

Serbia's Military Technical Institute (MTI) unveiled its Harpas self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) and missile system at the Partner 2023 defence exhibition in Belgrade.

Harpas utilises a modern radar connected to a pair of 40 mm L/70 Bofors anti-aircraft cannons, which feature on other recent anti-aircraft systems including the in-service Pasars-16.

MTI is also developing its own programmable airburst munitions, which will improve the cannons' ability to shoot down small unmanned aerial vehicles. As a secondary role, the cannons can be used against ground targets.

Harpas is also equipped with two missile pods – one mounted on each side of the turret – housing locally developed RLN-TK and RLN-RF surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), the former of which is guided by a thermal seeker and the latter by radio frequency. For target detection, the system is equipped with what appears to be a Danish Weibel Xenta radar.

An MTI representative told Janes that the system was developed following a request from the Serbian Armed Forces for the capability. Harpas is scheduled to undergo testing in 2024.