Just what SAM system did Yugoslavia have that was that much more advanced than what Iraq fielded?

None.

Some minor upgrades and modifications were done, but mainly a “smarter” use of modest assets

Iraq had something like the 5th largest military in the world when DESERT STORM kicked off. With more weapons, and with the Coalition undertaking a lot more low-level operations than over Yugoslavia, it’s no wonder that Iraq managed to hit more aircraft. Surely you don’t believe the dubious propaganda that a B-2 was lost over Yugoslavia, do you? Do we have to rehash that again?

It’s already been discused previously and my view on this topic has been posted previously.

So why didn’t they tell NATO and the US to stick it and turn to Russia for rebuilding then?

Because long before the “Orange” revolution in Ukraine, there was the “revolution” in Belgrade organised by “independent, civic, pro-democracy…” NGO’s that put in power YOUR crew in charge of the country.

They are now running the place (barely, a weak coalition) and have recently refused a Russian offer to invest in the country…Why? because the US embassy would not have been pleased at such a turn of events

Mind you, this rebuilding that you mention consists of the Serbs selling what’s left of the industry for pittance and agreeing to all sorts of non-sense…a recent example trying to introduce genetically modified crops by the “back door” through some shady deal.

…aging population, unaffordable pension obligations, uncompetative industry, overbearing bureaucracy…

Schorsch, are you sure you are not describing the EU?

As far as I know the current status is that the Mi-28N is the replacement for the Hind. This was largely due to lower cost and potential for using Mi-28N components to upgrade the newer model Hinds to extend the life of the Hind and reduce the required production rate of the replacement helo to further reduce costs.

The Ka-50 and Ka-52s situation is a little less clear. There are a dozen or so Ka-50s in service but they are no in service in operationally useful numbers and will likely now be withdrawn or perhaps kept as test helos. There are reports that the Ka-52 will enter service for special operations due to its capability, which suggests that its performance makes it useful to have even if in small numbers. This should help its exportability.

The Ka-52 has night and all weather performance, whereas the Ka-50 might have night and all weather sensors (as in the Ka-50Sh or Ka-50N versions) but that does not make it easy to fly and hunt at night. The Ka-50 does have a few systems that make it very interesting… including ball turrets near the undercarriage that hold what have been described as anti missile lasers or DIRCMs.
Very interesting, and something I would certainly like to know more about…

http://english.pravda.ru/science/19/94/379/15719_.html

New Russian Night Hunter chopper flies at 5-meter altitudes
06/29/2005 11:05

The Night Hunter will gradually supersede the Mi-24 combat helicopter currently in service with the Russian Air Force

Flight tests of a brand-new Russian combat attack helicopter Mi-28N (Night Hunter) have commenced. According to Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force Gen. Vladimir Mikhailov, the Russian military has great expectations of the new helicopter. Mr. Mikhailov expressed his confidence that the Mi-28N would enter service with the Russian Air Force in 2006.

“Four or five more units” of the Mi-28N type helicopter are being built these days as a series of flight test is still under way, according to Gen. Mikhailov. The Night Hunter will gradually supersede the Mi-24 combat helicopter currently in service with the Russian Air Force. The Mi-28N is designed to search and destroy enemy tanks and other armored targets. It is also designed to search and destroy enemy air targets and troops on the ground. The helicopter was developed by Moscow’s Mil helicopter plant using Mi-28 combat helicopter. The lot production preparations had been completed for the Mi-28 at the Rostvertol plant.

Developers of the new helicopter at the Rosvertol plant aimed at using technological production equipment of the Mi-28 to capacity and therefore the new helicopter underwent minimum modifications with regard to its airframe, control and armament systems, active and passive defense system. Major modifications were carried out on the power plant, load-bearing framework and on-board electronic equipment. The Mi-28N is capable of conducting daylight or nighttime all-weather operations at ultra-low altitudes utilizing landscape conforming navigation in both manual and automated modes. The electronic equipment enables the crew to have on-board access to electronic cartographic data and has 3-D landscape image synthesizing capacity. The target searching, detection and identification systems also enable the crew to conduct group combat operations involving automated target redistribution between the helicopters and air or ground control centers.

Data provided by on-board radar and infrared system are shown at color LCD indicators mounted in the cockpits of a pilot and a navigator/weapons operator. The helicopter is capable of flying at ultra-low altitudes ranging from 5 meters to 15 meters. According to Gen. Mikhailov, the Russian armed forces are planning to purchase 300 Mi-28N’s by the year 2010. He added that the Rosvertol company had built an excellent helicopter over a short period of time. He said that “production cost of the new helicopter is not high.”

Mr. Mikhailov promised that 50 new helicopter would be delivered to the Russian army for the time being. “The Mi-28N is one of a kind as far as foreign combat helicopters are concerned, it is the world’s most advanced combat helicopter at the moment,” said he.