Serbia

The Republic of Serbia

Serbia was originally one of the six Socialist Republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, formed in 1946 following the end of the Second World War. Beginning in 1991, the SFRY began to disintegrate as the various republics voiced their desire for sovereignty. By 2003, all that remained of the old federal republic was Serbia and Montenegro, which remained a confederation with that name until 2006 when Montenegro became its own state.

Many of the original Yugoslavian camouflage designs remained in use with the Vojska Srbije i Crna Gore (Army of Serbia and Montenegro) well into the present era. However, some new designs have also been implemented in recent years. Even while a part of Yugoslavia, Serbian police units did also use some camouflage designs that were not in use by the other member states of Yugoslavia.

Serbian Military Patterns

• M89 oak leaf pattern (originally introduced to the JNA in 1990) remained in general use by Serbian forces until around 2003.

• M93 oak leaf pattern replaced the M89 series of clothing. This is essentially the same camouflage pattern as the M89, but used on a new series of field uniforms.

• MDU02 "woodland" oak leaf pattern, retains the old shapes of the M89 design but incorporates an updated color scheme which was believed to coincide with many patterns worn by NATO countries. This pattern remains in general use with the Serbian Armed forces.

• MDU03 "woodland" oak leaf pattern is a supplemental variation of the MDU02, with slightly different coloration. This pattern is also in general use with the Serbian Armed forces.

• The M07 pixelated camouflage pattern (nicknamed "Dragon Flight") was given consideration for adoption by the Serbian MOD in 2007, but never officially adopted. The pattern can now be found in commercial markets.

• A desert version of the M07 pixelated patern was also considered, but never adopted.

Serbian Special Units

JSO (Jedinica za specijalne operacije or "Special Operations Unit") was an elite special unit of the Serbian Service of State Security. It was formed in 1996 when paramilitary units (like "Arkan's Tigers") was merged into a unit under the Serbian Security Service. It was disbanded in 2003 when the Serbian Prime Minister - Zoran Đinđić - was assassinated and some members of this unit was involved.

• An urban camouflage pattern, based on the US woodland drawings has been worn by the JSO. Sources suggest the fabric was possibly made in Hungary.

• A copy of the US m81 woodland camouflage pattern is also worn by the JSO.

• The Žandarmerija (Gendarmerie) was formed in 2001 as a national police force. The JSO and PJP (Special Police Unit) were both later attached to the Gendarmerie, which consists of four battalion-sized units: Belgrade, Nis, Novi Sad and Kraljevo. In 2010 they acquired Tru-Spec UCP pixelated camouflage uniforms.

• The anti-terrorist squad uses a special urban camouflage pattern designated Makirna Dragon Tactical i Digitalna Urbana

Serbian Police Patterns

• The blue tiger or blue lizard pattern was used extensively by the Serbian police, originally introduced 1992. Since 1997 this has been worn as field uniform by all police officers for riot control, field exercies and during the conflict in Kosovo. The pattern, a "blue" version of the pattern worn by JNA, was phased out in 2001. Several colour variations exist, including some referred to as "purple tiger".

• This grey tiger stripe variation was worn by the MUP (Ministarstvo Unutrašnjih Poslova - Ministry of Internal Affairs).

• Variations of the green tiger pattern have been worn by the MUP (Ministarstvo Unutrašnjih Poslova - Ministry of Internal Affairs)

• A grey version of the Army M89 pattern was introduced for the Police in 1993, but may never have been officially adopted. Few examples have survived.

• A blue puzzle variation of the Army M89 pattern has was worn by the Serbian Special Police since around 1992. Only two series produced.

Paramilitary patterns

• Members of the Srpska Dobroljacka Garda (Serb Volunteer Guard, also known as Arkan's Tigers) wore Greek lizard pattern camouflage uniforms. Led by Arkan (Zeljko Raznatovic), the unit was founded in 1990 and fought in the wars in Croatia and Bosnia.