J-21 Jastreb

The SOKO J‑21 Jastreb is a Yugoslav single‑engine, low‑wing jet trainer and light attack aircraft that first flew on 21 March 1969. Developed by the Sarajevo‑based SOKO factory as a derivative of the earlier G‑2 Galeb, the Jastreb was intended to provide a cost‑effective platform for pilot training, ground‑support missions, and reconnaissance. Powered by a Rolls‑Royce Viper turbo‑jet delivering 1,640 lbf of thrust, the aircraft features a straight‑wing layout, conventional tricycle landing gear, and a tandem cockpit with full‑color instrumentation. Its all‑metal construction and simple systems enable easy maintenance and operation from austere airfields. Armed with up to 1,000 kg of external stores, the Jastreb can carry rockets, bombs, gun pods, and air‑to‑air missiles, making it versatile for counter‑insurgency and border‑security tasks. Over 250 units were built and exported to several non‑aligned nations, while the Yugoslav Air Force employed the type extensively throughout the 1970s and 1980s. The J‑21’s durability, low operating cost, and adaptability cemented its reputation as a reliable workhorse, contributing to the development of indigenous jet technology in the Balkans and influencing later trainer designs in the region. Overall.

SOKO

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