Display on the Оccasion of the Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag Day
Wednesday, 15.9.2021 | News
Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces: Citizens can be proud of their military
On the occasion of the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag, today, in the organization of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Armed Forces, a display of weapons and military equipment and devices developed by the domestic defense industry was held in Ušće Park in New Belgrade.
The display was toured by the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces and the President of the Republic, Aleksandar Vučić, together with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Nebojša Stefanović, PhD and the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, General Milan Mojsilović.
After the tour of the exhibited armament, the President invited the citizens to visit the display in Ušće and see how much progress the Serbian Armed Forces have made, as well as part of the capacities at its disposal.
— Citizens will be able to see "Pancirs", Mi-35 helicopters, tanks, "Pasars", "Noras", "Lazars", large and small "Milos" vehicles, our rifles and snipers, everything that a military must have, then drones, in which we invest and place more and more trust in, so they can see what we are rebuilding, and what was once destroyed — „Strela“and „Igla“rockets, „Kub“and „Neva“ missile systems, and to understand how much stronger our military is than it used to be - emphasized President Vučić.
As an example of progress in the military, the President stated that compared to a few years ago, the Serbian Armed Forces now have more than 25 helicopters, more fighter planes and bombers, as well as air defense systems. In addition, the President pointed out that the growth and progress of the military, in addition to the overall progress of the country, also depended on the human factor.
— What is wonderful, when we talk about patriotism and love for the military, from our people in the south of Serbia, is that 70 percent of our military personnel, and maybe more, come from the south of Serbia, from the west and the east. The least comes from the north of Serbia, from Belgrade and Vojvodina. That is why we will have to further increase salaries, so that these people can see their future in the Serbian Armed Forces, because without people, all these machines are worth nothing - said President Vučić.
President Vučić congratulated members of the Serbian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense, not only on this display, but also on the overall work and excellent results.
Answering the question of a journalist on who and why was once interested in destroying the weapons and military equipment of the Serbian Armed Forces, President Vučić answered that this was done 10-15 years ago and that this was not the case now.
— Now that is no longer the case. And what was destroyed, we now have thousands of pieces. We are developing our military today. We are military neutral, but we are an independent, sovereign, free and libertarian country, which knows how to protect itself without harming anyone. Being free and independent is not always easy. It means taking care of your weapons and your equipment. It is a matter of politics, a firm, clear and unambiguous position. When you have that, then you can be proud of such a military- said President Vučić.
He adds that in addition to renewed resources, the food reserves that the military has are 100 percent full for peacetime and all other situations.
— We have supplied ourselves and provided more money than ever before to make the military better. What we lack are people. We think we have the best people, but we need more. We will have to additionally motivate them with salaries and some other solutions - announced President Vučić.
— I think people can be really proud of our military and all that they can see here today — said the President of Serbia and congratulated the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and National Flag to all our people in Serbia, Republika Srpska and throughout the region, wishing them to proudly guard the red-blue-white flag.
Serbian Armed Forces will also take part in the state ceremony marking the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag. Members of the Guard will execute honorary artillery fire on the orders of the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces and the President of the Republic, Aleksandar Vučić, and participate in the ceremonial parade that will symbolically merge into Sava Square in three columns.
