Historically, the Air Force and Artillery have been the main means of supporting the defensive and offensive operations of the ground forces. However, in the absence of an organic force of fighters and a large number of equipped helicopters in the structure of the Air Force Command, for the execution of Close Air Support (HOU) missions, the Artillery Weapon acquires special importance in dealing with the occupation threat.
The fifteen-year armament stagnation observed after the Annan Plan in 2004 stuck the armed forces of the Republic in the existing material, which in the case of Combat Artillery was acquired from the end of the 1970s (Yugoslav 105 mm M56A1 howitzers and 128 mm M-63 Plamen rocket launchers) until the mid-2000s (Slovak 155 mm self-propelled guns). ZUZANA).
The contract for the supply of new, modern, self-propelled guns of 155 thousand. NORA B-52 from Serbia was signed in 2017, and the material was received in parts in 2019 and 2020. This was followed by the signing of a new contract for the supply of an unknown number of modern TAMNAVA multiple rocket launchers (ROPs) from Serbia and the first public appearance of the system on October 1, 2025.
Shoot and Scoot Tactics
Adopting the advantages of the full automation of firing procedures offered by modern technology, the Artillery Command applies the tactics of rapid firing and direct movement (Shoot and Scoot) followed internationally by all modern armies. A dominant element in the modern operational environment is not only the accuracy of fire to destroy the enemy, but also the survivability of friendly Artillery units. The technological development of PB systems and especially the automations they have (GPS positioning, inertial INS system, extraction of firing data from computers, and lightning-fast data transmission with encrypted communications broadcasts) now provide unprecedented operational capabilities to the National Guard.
Modern artillery batteries of the DPB are no longer anchored in places of order and exposed to enemy observation, but are thinned out in various hiding places. The movement of self-propelled PV elements towards the high-speed area within a few minutes, the execution of shots in a matter of seconds, and their immediate disappearance and concealment in new locations, make their detection by enemy artillery radars almost impossible.
S/C Guns NORA B-52
The NORA B-52 155 mm I/C cannon. with a 52-caliber tube, it is the first modern acquisition of the DPB, which maintains 24 systems in its arsenal. The cannon is served by five operators, the driver and two loaders in the armoured cabin of the 8×8 KAMAZ cargo vehicle as well as the unit leader and the shooter in the armoured tower of the gun. Each element carries 36 total rounds of 155 mm, of which 12 are in the automatic loading mechanism of the cannon, and the remaining 24 are carried on board the vehicle. According to open sources, the gun can fire 6 shots per minute at a range of 32 km. with normal missiles and up to 42 km. with extended range BB (base bleed) missiles.
During the TAMS "NIKITIS-DIMITRA 2026" a rapid battery order was carried out under the coordination of the KDP on a BOV M16 Milos vehicle. The statics of the past and the use of javelins for the aim of guns, which characterized the towed Squadrons of the Armed Forces, have now been replaced by multiple hiding places, coded sending of firing elements via wireless communications, rapid order of the guns to execute shots within seconds and the immediate abandonment of the classroom. The state-of-the-art technology and automation of the systems allows the deployment of guns at long distances from each other without breaking the coherence and firepower of the artillery battery, but also the rapid change of firing positions before abandoning the wider area of order to hide in new positions.
ROP TAMNAVA
The most recent acquisition to join the DPB's arsenal is the TAMNAVA multiple rocket launchers (PEPs) of the Serbian Yugoimport SDRP, which only introduced it in 2020.
The system uses an 8×8 type MAN TGS 41.480 truck with an armoured cabin, to protect the three operators, and can launch 48 rockets of 122 mm in a few seconds. from two canisters of 24 rockets. In addition, two more canisters (48 rockets) are being transported for the responsorship of the system. It is also possible to use – instead of the 122 mm rockets – two canisters of 6 rockets of 262 mm calibre (a total of 12 rockets). The system can also simultaneously fire rockets of both calibres using a canister of 24 122 mm rockets. and a 6-rocket canister of 262 mm. According to open sources, the range of the rockets is 122 mm. amounts to 40 km. while of the rockets 262 thousand. in 70 km.
The rapid artillery battery class TAMNAVA that took place as part of the TAMS "NIKITIS-DIMITRA 2026" in a semi-mountainous area, was impressive. Following a relevant request for support fire, the RAC of the artillery battery on a BOV M16 Milos vehicle, moves towards the area of the classroom, while in a very short time the ROPs exit the hiding areas and deploy rapidly in specific points, which have been determined by the RBI, at a great distance from each other. The system is operated from the armoured ejector cabin, without the personnel leaving the vehicle. In a few seconds, the virtual shots are fired and immediately the systems disappear in the hiding positions, in order to avoid being attacked by enemy artillery fire.
The new era of the Artillery of the National Guard
Undoubtedly, in the last decade the Artillery of the National Guard has entered a new era. The technological advantages of modern Nora B-52 I/C guns and TAMNAVA ROPs offer unprecedented shooting accuracy capabilities and long ranges in conditions of high survivability. The intention to gradually increase their number in order to achieve uniformity of systems and ammunition is right and imperative, as well as the maintenance of significant stocks of ammunition, as evidenced by the preliminary conclusions of modern conflicts. It would be an important omission to focus on the technological superiority of weapon systems without highlighting the quality and skills of the permanent and contracted personnel who remain faithful to the motto "Power through Knowledge".
*Academician, geopolitics, defense and security analyst
