Serbia has pulled the cover off its armed PEGASUS unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), pairing the homegrown drone with the Emirati-made RASH-2M guided munition kit.
Originally built for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), PEGASUS now adds precision strike capability, marking Belgrade’s latest step in modernizing its unmanned combat fleet.
Unveiled at Partner 2025, the UAV supports a 54-kilogram (119-pound) payload and a maximum takeoff weight of 265 kilograms (584 pounds).
It has a range of more than 200 kilometers (124 miles) and endurance of up to 10 hours, enabling extended missions beyond line of sight.
Its autonomy features include fully automated takeoff and landing, plus a rescue-and-return function to improve mission reliability and reduce operator workload.
A full system package includes three aircraft, transport cabins, a ground control station, a retranslation station, a remote video terminal, and supporting logistics equipment.
Its mission profile includes laser designation, target tracking, artillery fire correction, and post-strike assessment.
RASH-2M Integration
Serbia’s Ministry of Defence offered a closer look at the RASH-2M, the same guidance kit integrated into the PEGASUS. The compact kit is designed to convert mortar rounds and Mk81-class bombs into guided munitions.
It uses Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System guidance and aerodynamic control surfaces to deliver lightweight precision strikes.
The kit can be mounted on aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned platforms, promising a cost-effective boost to strike capability.
It also reportedly shortens the sensor-to-shooter cycle, reinforcing regional deterrence.
Strategic Impact
Serbia has long relied on Chinese combat drones and unarmed domestic systems like Vrabac and Pegaz to support aerial operations.
The armed PEGASUS signals a major step in indigenous UAV development, combining ISR, targeting, and precision strike in one platform.
It enhances operational flexibility, reduces reliance on foreign targeting assets, and offers a lower-cost alternative to prominent drones such as Turkey’s Bayraktar TB2 or Iran’s Mohajer.
While no fielding timeline has been announced, the live weapons debut suggests advanced testing, with serial production possible in 12 to 18 months.
