Minister Vulin: We continue modernization and equipping of Air Force and Air Defense

”The year behind us is the one in which the Air Force and Air Defense were saved from decay and destruction. That is the year in which we have restored the trust of the entire nation and our armed forces in the Air Force and Air Defense, Minister of Defense Aleksandar Vulin said on the occasion of the Air Force and Air Defense Day.

 

– The year before us will be the year of continuing the modernization and equipping, and in which, for the first time in decades, we will have 14 MiG-29s, in which we will acquire new Mi-17 helicopters, new combat Mi-35helicopters, excellent H145 helicopters. It will be the year in which we will be able to say that we are probably the most capable Air Force and Air Defense in the region. Of course, above all else are the people, those who make up the Air Force and Air Defense, the ones that make all this possible. We are proud of their courage, training, dedication and in the year ahead, we will strive to ensure that the material position of not only our pilots, members of the Air Defense, but also the airborne and terrestrial personnel is much better. We will do our best to make their lives a little easier and simpler, to help them not worry about the material problems, and certainly to give them reason to be happy with the armed forces and the attitude towards them, the attitude of the state and, of course, the entire nation – emphasized Minister Vulin.

 

He reminded how proud everyone was when eight Mig-29s flew in the skies above Serbia for the first time in many years during “Century of Victors” exercise.

 

– The next year will be the year of further renewal, in which we will safeguard our skies, our country, and in which we will continue to modernize and equip our Air Force and Air Defense – said Minister Vulin.

 

Recalling the historic significance of the event, the Commander of the Air Force and Air Defense, Major-General Duško Žarković, pointed out that today in all units, and tonight at the Air Force and Air Defense Command, the Air Force and Air Defense Day is celebrated.

 

– This is an extremely important day for all of us, especially in the year that was significant from the point of view of the Air Force and Air Defense, primarily due to the modern combat systems equipping, most importantly the MiG-29 and Lasta aircraft. This year, we completed the overhaul of the key combat assets and participated in multinational exercises such as “Air Solutions” and BARS, as well as in the national exercises, among which the most important is the “Century of Victors” – emphasized General Žarković.

 

He pointed out that the members of the Air Force and Air Defense are greeting the coming year with great expectations related to the equipment and personal development of the personnel that would be rendered ready and capable of accepting the new technologies, and therefore improve the operational capabilities of the aviation.

 

Envoy of the president of the Republic of Serbia and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vulin and Chief of General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Milan Mojsilović, on the occasion of the Air Force and Air Defense Day, awarded the medals for exceptional merits and achieved results in the field of security and defense of Serbia and medals for loyal service to the members of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Armed Forces.