At the International Sanicole Airshow 2026, the static display will showcase a truly unusual survivor of Cold War thinking and wartime ingenuity: the Soko J-20 Kraguj.
Born in the rugged landscapes of the former Yugoslavia, the Kraguj was shaped by hard-earned lessons from the Second World War. It was conceived as a “Partisan aircraft,” a machine meant to keep fighting even if conventional air bases and command structures were lost. Designed to support guerrilla forces, the Kraguj could slip into action from short, rough airstrips carved into mountainous terrain, carrying out reconnaissance and strike missions where few other aircraft could operate.
The Kraguj first took to the skies in 1962. Its forgiving handling and exceptional stability also made it an effective training aircraft, while its combat capability came from a versatile weapons fit that included machine guns, rocket pods, and bombs. In total, just 43 examples were built by the Yugoslav manufacturer Soko, based on a VTI design, making every surviving airframe a rare sight today.
After the breakup of Yugoslavia, a handful of Kragujs continued flying with the air forces of Croatia and the Republika Srpska. The aircraft on display at the International Sanicole Airshow in Hechtel-Eksel arrives from the United Kingdom.
Compact, purposeful, and steeped in history, the Soko J-20 Kraguj is a reminder that air power is not only about speed and size, but also about adaptability and determination. Be sure to seek out this remarkable aircraft on 12 and 13 September 2026.
