371
1 INTRODUCTION
Modern age and changing geopolitical scene brings
complex security situation including asymmetric
threats and new types of conflicts. Awareness of
collective reaction against upcoming threats is very
important,soitisbettertobestoppedinitssource.
New challenges posed new request for military
riverine units which have adap
ted their capabilities
in regard to worldwide and local safety aspects. In
spiteofpoor autonomyabilities ofmilitaryriverine
units to reach some world destinations, national
capabilities ought to be partly directed towards the
UN’s requirements because a global security
providesanationalsecurityatthesametime.
The United Nations milit
ary riverine units are
essentialpartofpeacekeepingoperationsincaseland
forces are limited with territory features. They are
engagedincaseofuncompletedornon‐existentland
line of communications in area of operations. Their
engagement has to provide required support for
civilianandtheotherUNpart
icipantsinaccordance
withestablishedmandateofmission.
The military riverine units should reach
multipurpose role within national frameworks as a
starting point for interoperability with others in
possiblepeacekeepingoperations.However,national
militaryriverine tacticsandproceduresdonothave
tobechanged.Theaimisconstructingownriverine
elements such a flexible units with long range of
mobilit
y,quickreactionoftroops,highlevelofforce
protection, sustainability and support to the other
unitsconcerninguniversalchallenges.
Analysis of Serbian Military Riverine Units Capability
for Participation in the United Nations Peacekeeping
Operations
S.Radojević&S.Šoškić
M
ilitaryAcademy,Belgrade,Serbia
G.Radić
RiverFlotilla,NoviSad,Serbia
ABSTRACT:Thispaperanalysesrequiredpersonnel,trainingcapacitiesandequipmentforparticipationinthe
UnitedNationspeacekeepingoperationswiththeriverineelements.Inordertomeetnecessarycapabilitiesfor
engagementinUnitedNationspeacekeepingoperations,Serbianmilitaryriverine unitshavetobecompatible
withtheissuedUNrequirements.SerbianArmedForceshavethepotentia
ltoreachsuchrequirementswiththe
RiverFlotillaasapivotfortheparticipationinUNmissions.SerbianMilitaryAcademyadoptedanddeveloped
educational and training program in accordance with the provisions and recommendations of the IMO
conventionsandIMOmodelcourses.SerbianMilit
aryAcademyhasopportunitiesforeducationandtraining
militaryriverineunitsforparticipationintheUnitedNationspeacekeepingoperations. Moreover,Serbiahas
MultinationalOperationsTrainingCenterandPeacekeepingOperationsCentercertifiedtoprovideselection,
training,equippingandpreparationsofindividualsandunitstotheUnitedNations multinationaloperations.
http://www.transnav.eu
the International Journal
on Marine Navigation
and Safety of Sea Transportation
Volume 11
Number 2
June 2017
DOI:10.12716/1001.11.02.22
372
2 CONCEPTOFDEVELOPMENTNATIONAL
MILITARYRIVERINEUNITS
Therearefewmajorinlandbasinsoneachcontinent
which are intersected by rivers, canals, irrigation
ditchesandlakes(e.g.theDanubeandtheVolgarivers
create great waterway system with navigable canals in
Europe, the Amur river as long natural border
between
Russia and China in East Asia, the Mississippi and the
Missouri rivers with own tributaries in North America,
the Amazon river in South America, the Nile, Congo
riversandTanganyikalakeinAfrica).Alldisseminated
countries in these areas have long tradition of
powerfull military riverine units that have
been
developed in accordance with existing waterways
network density. Nonetheless, their missions and
tasksdependoncontemporaryrisksandthreats,but
prosperity of inland security components and
required capabilities depend on political and
economic potential. Countries with political
instability and low level of economy cannot often
ensure an appropriate answer
for growing violence
andcrimeonitsownterritory.Inthatcase,theworld
community is supposed to provide a collective
securityledbytheUnitedNationswiththemilitary
riverine units asanimportant part of peacekeeping
missions.
In the past, the countries did not consider
mobilityandrapidreactions
ofthiskindof military
branch.Theyhadbeenmainlyfocusedonusingthem
for fire support to land forces as well as for rivers
crossingandmine/countermineoperations.Thatwas
understandable due to bipolar world during the
period of the Cold War when global political
situationenforcedcountries
todevelopriverineunits
forspecifictreatsformtheoppositeside.Themilitary
riverineunitshadbeenusuallyequippedwithquite
big vessels called monitors and armored artillery
ships with heavy guns (caliber from 30 mm to 110
mm) as an integral part of them. These types of
vesselsarestill
inserviceinsomecountriesalthough
these crafts are mostly outward. Moreover, river
minesweepersandriverpatrolboatshadbeenbuilt
as fairly smaller ships in that period (fitted with
machinegunscaliberfrom7,62mmto12,7 mmand
gunsfrom20mmto30mm).[1]
Nowadays,the
inlandwaterways remain
economic and military potential in all countries. It
hasbeenconfirmedinallstrugglessincetheSecond
World War. They have not lost significance as
important communication for supply and support
land units on battlefield on tactical and operational
level. Since the end of the Cold War, strategic
decisionwastodevelopairforcesandmissilerocket
units,whileriver shipswerenot priorityfora long
time.Manycountrieswithpooreconomysuppressed
own military riverine units while the others with
respectablemilitarycapacitiesweredecreasingtheir
strength. However, upcoming asymmetric threats
andnewwaysofwaging
warshavestartedincluding
inland waterways and the purpose of the military
riverineunitshasbeenreinforced.[2]
3 STRUCTURALORGANIZATIONAND
PERSONNEL
The military riverine unit has to provide full
capability for the UN operations with long range
mobilityinhighlevelofthreatssurroundings.Also,
crucialdemandsareself
‐sustainabilityandabilityto
supporttheotherUNunitsandagencies intheater.
The main focus of engagement are cessation of
hostilities,protectionofcivilians and human rights,
providingassistanceformonitoringandverification
activities,controllingillegalactivitiesaswell.
A company size unit approximately 140‐200
strength correspond to
the UN’s requirement,
including special qualifications of staff personnel,
marines, crew boats and the other elements for
support. UN riverine company is directly
operationally controlled by the Force Commander,
who can carry authorization over to Sector
Commander in some specific situation. The central
pointofcompanyarethreepatrolplatoonsmade
up
ofidenticalordifferenttypeofboatswithtransport
capacity up to 105 organic troops in total, but
widespreadon three different location. A
headquarterofUNcompanycanbesituatedonland
inresidentialcontainersorembarkedinappropriate
craft related to existing conditions and available
national assets.
A headquarter provides operational
command, control and administration of unit
personnel.Thenerveof the company is operational
and planning cell which completely provides
awarenessofallsituations,sharinginformationwith
ForceHeadquarterandreceivingreportsfrompatrol
unitsonthesite.Aninevitablepartofheadquarteris
acoordinationcell
asco‐locatedwiththeotherforce
elements throughout integrated operations or when
somepartsofriverinecompanyarelaunchedinarea
ofresponsibilityofothersectors.Amaintenancecell
has to be reachable in broad territory for
guaranteeing repairsduring day and night
operations with enough spare parts, appropriate
tools, required equipment, special instruments and
following documents.Furthermore, logistically
sustain for up to 30 days without resupply is
responsibility of logistic cell. Medical care must be
establishedasalevel1hospitalandcoordinatedbya
medicalcellwithquitestrongcapabilityforworking
outsurfaceandairevacuationof
casualties.
Figure1.OrganizationchartoftheUNriverinecompany[3]
373
General characteristic of riverine unit is wide‐
rangingindividualskills of personnelforproviding
highlevelofreadinesstorealizeallassignedtasksin
complex area of responsibility. Regarding
combinationoflandandaquaticvastness,boatcrews
andmarinesare obligedtopossess unique abilities.
Therefore,theyneedto be
completelyfamiliar with
radio communication procedures, first aid kit,
handling and using personal weapons as well as
owningpartialknowledgeaboutExplosiveOrdnance
DisposalandCounterImprovisedExplosiveDevices
procedures.Asadditionalrequirementsfortheboat
crewsarefullskillsofnavigationindailyandnight
conditions, boat safety measures,
communications,
rapid maneuvering and handling with installed
weapons on boat. On the other hand, personnel of
lightinfantryshouldpossessbasicknowledgeabout
navigation and boat equipments. Moreover,
collective capabilities are significant for riverine
company concerninggeographicchallenges, specific
waysofengagementandtacticalboatoperationsand
infantryoperations.
4 EQUIPMENT
ANDARMAMENT
Firstofall, disposalinstandard ISO20 ft container
and air transportable of all equipment with
helicopter Mi‐26 or aircraft C‐130 are outset for
reachingcapabilitiesoftheUNriverineunit.
Generally, the United Nations demand fixed‐
mountedweaponsonallriverineboats,fewoptions
ofpropulsiontoachieveaspeedatleast35‐40knots:
water jet, propelled or powered outboard engines,
then own full potential to operate during day and
night (24/7), maintaining marine bands (HF, VHF),
aircraftbandandsatellitecommunicationsaswellas
reliableschemeand resources for casualty
evacuations.
Fastpatrol
boatas anorganiccomponent ofUN
patrolplatoonisatypeofvesselwithself‐sufficient
conditions for crew and approximately 29 troops
onboard up to 30 days, equipped with weapons at
leastcaliber23mmandcrewballisticprotectionfrom
small arms (at least 7,62 mm). A generator,
an
automatic fireextinguishersystem andliferafts are
neededgearsonfastpatrolboat,too.
Light patrol craft is a bit smaller boat with
impressive capability regarding armament, speed
andtransportcapacity.TheUN`stargetrequirement
aboutfixed‐mountedweaponsisneutralizationupto
600metersandsuppressupto
800meterswithcrew
protection against at least 7,62 mm non‐armor
piercing. Maximum transport capacity is 1.800 kg
including 10 marines plus 2 crews in 200 km
operating range or 250 km with 4 crew members
only. Therefore, this type of the UN boat is not
allowed to weight
more than 11.100 kg due to a
possibility ofair transportation bymilitary
helicoptersMi‐8/Mi‐17.[3]
Different types of vessels as riverine/costal
component have been presented for a long time in
theUNmissionsaccordingtothefollowing:inHaiti
(MINUSTAH); the Democratic Republic of Congo
(MONUC/MONUSCO); Darfur, Sudan
(UNAMID);
SouthSudan(UNMISS)andMali.AlsoUNOCIand
UNMIL investigated possibility for waterborne
patrols on Cavalla River (border Cote
d’Ivoire/Liberia).[4] In recent years, Uruguayan
riverine companies are deployed in UN mission
MONUC‐DRCongo,equippedwithtworiverpatrol
boatsclassAUPF(UnidaddePatrullaFluvial)class
Mk
44and numerous rigid‐hull inflatable boat
(RHIBs)markZodiacMkIV.Themaincharacteristics
ofriverpatrolboat:length11.30m,width3.25m,draft
0.6m,Complements2+6,armament1xBrowningM2
HB 12.7mm (forward‐mounted), 2‐3 x machine guns
FNMAG7,62mm(aft/side‐mounted).(Fig.2.)
Figure2.Uruguayanriverine patrolboatclassAUPF[5]
UruguayancompaniesundertheUNmandateare
inchargeofconductingoperationsonLakeKivuand
Lake Tanganyika with armed personnel onboard in
an effort to beat armed robbery, smuggling and
illegal taxation imposed by local armed groups on
commercial vessels. Major troop contributors to
MONUSCO had identified the need for
more
surveillanceassetsandgreaterriverinecapabilitiesto
enhance coverage on lakes and rivers in the Kivus.
[6]
Figure3.BangladeshiRHIBsineasternMali[7]
Serbian River flotilla equipped with RHIB 720
typeboats,length7.40m,width2.90manddraft0.85
m.TheseboatsareequippedwithpowerfulYamaha
outboard motor of 150 HP. On the water, they
developspeedofabout 54kilometersperhour and
areabletoaccommodate15personsor
3600pounds
ofcargo.
ABangladeshRiverineUnitoftheUNMissionin
South Sudan (UNMISS) launching riverine
operations on the River Nile. Marine boats are
intended to protect UN barges, including those
374
carrying humanitarian aid. In Mission in Mali
(MINUSMA) Bangladesh Riverine Unit carry out a
riverpatrol.(Fig.3.)
Figure4. US Navy Special Operations Craft – Riverine
SOC‐R
The US Navy has Special Operations Craft‐
Riverine designed to operatealong river networks
and coastal areas. The Special Operations Craft‐
Riverine performs short range insertion and
extractionof SOFinriverandnearshore
environments. The SOC‐R is a high‐performance
craftdesigned tofitaboardC‐130 orlarger
military
aircraft. Fig.4 [8] Good opportunity for Serbian
riverine unit is multirole fast combat boat type
PREMAX as Serbian state own product which
capabilities are fully compatible with the UN
requirementsforlightpatrolcraft.Also,itpossesses
similar features as special operations craft used by
U.S. Navy riverine forces
for in‐shore interdiction,
riverine patrolling and direct action missions.
Fig.5.[9]
Figure5. Multirole Fast Combat Boat – type PREMAX,
ProductionofSerbianStateOwnedCompany
Overview of main characteristics the mentioned
riverinecraftsarerepresentedintablebelow:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
UNLightPatrolCraft SpecialOperationsCraft– MultiroleFastCombatBoat
(IncludingRigid‐HullRiverine(SOC‐RUSA)typePREMAX
InflatableBoats)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
airtransportableMI‐26orC‐130C‐130trailerC‐130
1
trailer
PropulsionWaterjet‐propelled2×440hpYanmar 6LY2M‐STE 2xCumminsQSB6.7480HP
poweredoutboardengines dieselengineseachdrivinga Commonraildiesel
HamiltonHJ292waterpump‐jet
Speedatleast35‐40knots40knots(74km/h)40‐45Knots
Sensors
andGPS,VHF/HF/(FLIR),GPS,VHF/HF/UHF/FM GPS,VHF/HF/UHF/FM,
processingsystems:Net&SATCOMMSATCOMM
Autonomy200‐250km232km5h/200nm
DisplacementMax11.100kgEmpty7.300kgDryweight6.500kg
Maxloadout9.400kgMaxweight10.500kg
Length10.5
m10m11.98m
Width
Beam2.97m3.34m
DraftMax1.2m0,61m0.7m(seaversion1.2m)
Crew242‐4
Transportcapacity10lightinfantryor1.800kg 8SEALsmax12(includingcrew)
ArmamentWeaponssufficientto 2×GAU‐17miniguns
(forward) automatic20mmM55gun
neutralizetargetsoutto 1×M2HB.50caliber(12.7mm) 7.62x54RmmM84light
600meters,orsuppress machinegun(aft)machinegun
targetsoutto800meters. 2×M240B7.62mmlightmachinemanually‐operated12.7mm

gun(s)(side‐mounted)HMG30mmM93automatic
2×40mmMk19grenadelaunchergrenadelauncher
Armoratleast7.62mmnon‐armourBallisticprotection(upto7.62mmAdd‐onbullet‐proofpanels
piercingammunitionx39mmball)fortheengines, canbemountedontheinner

helmsmanandgunnerssidesofthehullforextraboat
protection.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
1
C‐130CargoHold,Width:3.1m;MultiroleFastCombatBoattypePREMAXhasbeamonwaterline,3.00m,butmaximum
beamis3.34mbecauseofrubber(rubbingstrake).
375
5 TRAININGANDEDUCATION
Republic of Serbia has century‐old tradition of
seamanship and nautical activities, remarkable
network of national and international inland
waterways,too.Serbiahascontinuityofmembership
in the International Maritime Organization and all
internationallaws andregulationshavebeenadopted
in maritime and inland navigation. Serbian
Military
Academycherisheslonghistoryofmaritimepractice
while the Nautical Department is in charge of
education and training for Serbian Armed Forces,
civilians from its own country, as well as from
abroad.
ThegreatpotentialoftheNauticalDepartmentis
based on a naval tradition and accreditations for
study
programs – nautical module (240 ECTS) as a
unique training system in Serbia and represents
symbiosis of maritime education between the Navy
andtheMerchantfleet.Maritimetrainingcoursesare
also organized in the Nautical Department and
quality system is built on the recommendations of
The International Convention on Standards of
Training, Certificationand Watchkeeping for
Seafarers (STCWConvention), ISO9001:2008,
evaluatedbyBureauVeritasandDetNorskeVeritas
Germanischer Lloyd – DNV GL. Training for
seafarers (STCW courses) has been carried out for
more than 1.000 civilians and 200 members of the
Serbian Armed Forces since June 2007. Lectures are
conducted in Serbian and English at the Military
Academy with literatures on both languages. There
are fully capability for training, including eq uipped
classrooms,swimmingpool,simulatorsandpolygons
in vicinity of rivers. Highly professional services
make this training one of the most competitive in
SouthEastEurope.
Seafarers and boatmen are
trained at the Serbian
Military Academy for maritime and river industry,
customs,militaryand policeriverineunits.
Furthermore,SerbianMilitaryAcademyadoptedand
developed educational training program against
piracy, applying all the provisions and
recommendations of the IMO conventions and IMO
model courses for Autonomous vessel protection
detachment (AVPD). However,
continuous support
hasbeenalreadyprovidedforSerbianAVPDwhether
has participated in the EU military operation
EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, concerning navigational
trainingwithsimulatorsandIMOmodelcourses.[10]
AttheSerbianMilitary Academy, boat crews are
trainedtooperatetheirrespectivevesselsfordayand
night operations in accordance with
national
standards and International Maritime Organization
safetystandards(STCWConventionandIMOmodel
courses).Riverflotillaprimarilyconductstrainingfor
boatsafety,navigation,nightvision,communications,
operator maintenance, high‐speed maneuvering,
handling weapons (including crew‐served weapons)
and other individual and collective skills unique to
riverine craft operating in a
riverine environment.
Multinational Operations Training Center and
Peacekeeping Operations Center in Serbian Armed
Forces have experience of selection, training,
equippingandpreparationsofindividualsandunits
to the United Nations multinational operations.
Moreover, Peacekeeping Operations Centre is a
member of theEuropean Association of Peace
Operations Training Centers
(EAPTC)andInternational
Association of Peace
OperationsTrainingCenters(IAPTC).
In these military institutions within Serbian
ArmedForces,thereareoptimalconditionstorealize
allphasesofeducationsandtrainingprocessinorder
toachieverequiredtasksoftheUNMilitaryRiverine
Units: waterborne security, reconnaissance and
surveillance,securityforshippingintransit,
support
to ground forces, search and rescue operation,
personnel relocation, humanitarian assistance and
disasterresponse.
6 CONCLUSION
The United Nations engagements in peacekeeping
operationshavebecomemorecomplexovertheyears
especiallyduetoasymmetricthreatsandnewwaysof
waging wars. The crisis usually includes opposed
armed groups situated on
a wide territory which
comprises different terrain features. In these
conditions the UN is supposed to establish a
peacekeeping operation where rivers and lakes
intersect the land causing difficulties to the UN
elements.Inthis environmentmilitaryriverine units
could be an ideal solution as an enabler to the UN
land forces. However, their capabilities have to be
multidimensional and possess appropriate specific
engagement capacities for various and vast water
systemsaffectedbydifferentclimatesanddensity of
waterwaysandcanals.ThemaincharacteristicsofUN
military riverine units represent the balance among
differentcapabilities:mobilityofboats,quickreaction
of
light infantry, force protection, sustainability and
supporttotheotherUNpeacekeepingunits.
Republic of Serbia with own military riverine
component and established maritime and navigate
education have fundamental capabilities to provide
personnel, equipment and appropriate training for
participation in UN peacekeeping operations in
riverine environment. Serbian militaryriverineunits
have the potential to become compatible with the
issuedUNrequirements.
Therearealotofbenefits,concerningexperiences
of other countries in peacekeeping operations, thus
thepositiveeffectstoSerbianriverineunitscouldbe
betterequipment,training,higherincomes,operating
inrealcombatenvironments.[11]
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CriticalAnalysisof Strategy,FlatcherSchoolof Lawand
Diplomacy(TuftsUniversity),1999
[3]UnitedNationsPeacekeepingMilitaryRiverineUnitManual,
2015
[4]Bushuev
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[5]LanchasUPFKlaseMk.44–URPACM/K–MONUC,
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[6]TheUN InterventionBrigadein theDemocratic Republicof
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[7]Contingent Owned Equipment, UN peacekeepers from
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http://www.military.com/equipment/special‐operations‐
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