Hi-tech Nato weapon on display in Belgrade
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Belgrade's Aviation Museum has put on public display one of the RAF's deadliest weapons, the Air-launched anti-radiation missile known by its acronym, Alarm.
The missile was picked up by the Yugoslav Army from a muddy field near the village of Nikinci, about 45 miles west of Belgrade, at the time of Nato air raids in 1999. It was seen recently by a photographer who visited the museum.
There is little doubt that the Yugoslav army scrutinised the inside of the missile before handing it to the museum. Analysts point out that, besides Yugoslav experts, the technology could have ended up in Russian, Chinese or Iraqi hands.
Alarm is one of Nato's most sophisticated weapons against radar-guided, anti-aircraft missile sites, and is launched from Tornado strike aircraft. It climbs to about 70,000 feet then descends slowly by parachute, a seeker listening for a set of radar wavelength emissions. Once it locks on to a radar site it dives down and blows it up. The weapon was first used in action against Iraq during the Gulf War 10 years ago.
Why the British missile missed its target remains unclear but it landed near Nikinci without self-destructing. If the Yugoslav army downed it, the fact would have been exploited for propaganda value at the time of the air raids.
The RAF fired six Alarms during the 1999 Serbian campaign, Operation Allied Force, with two missing their assigned targets. The whereabouts of the other wayward missile is still unknown.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments