River Flotilla Marks 110 Years Jubilee
Tuesday, 19.8.2025 | Culture and traditions
A military ceremony marking the Day of the River Units of the Serbian Armed Forces, Day of the River Flotilla and the Jubilee — 110 years since the formation of the Serbian River Flotilla has been held in the military complex “Ušće” in Belgrade today.
As part of the holiday celebration, the most important results in building the capabilities of the River Flotilla were presented, a ceremonial parade of vessels was held, and awards presented to the most successful individuals.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defense Bratislav Gašić, Deputy Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, Lieutenant General Tiosav Janković, and Army Commander, Major General Zoran Nasković.
Congratulating on the holiday, Minister Gašić has said that the River Flotilla is a very important part of the Serbian Armed Forces today and that with their knowledge, courage and discipline its members are nurturing tradition, building new capacities and developing capabilities while following modern security challenges.
— The role of the River Flotilla in protecting the citizens and property in the event of natural disasters or other technical-technological hazards and accidents on the waterways and their vicinity is also crucial. In recent years, we have had the opportunity to witness the skills and abilities of its members, who, in crisis situations, were up to the task - emphasized the Minister of Defense.
He wished the members of the River Flotilla a good health and heroic luck while protecting our rivers.
— The river routes of Serbia are not just natural lines - they are the arteries of life, trade, culture and community and are always guarded with special care and loyalty, and your role in this is irreplaceable. May the sacrifice and dedication of your predecessors during the history of more than a century be your guide as to how to develop and improve your glorious unit in the future as well - said Minister Gašić.
Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Tiosav Janković has pointed out that the history of the unit was marked above all by its famous predecessors, river warriors, defenders of the freedom of river courses and its ships.
— Today, the River Flotilla is an important unit of the Serbian Armed Forces, equipped and trained to perform the tasks on inland waterways. Members of the River Flotilla proudly preserve their history and tradition and, worthy of their predecessors, perform all intended tasks in a dedicated, professional and competent manner - said Lieutenant General Janković.
Commander of the River Flotilla, Navy Captain Darko Stričić, summarized the results of the work of the unit in the year behind, concluding that the unit maintained the required level of operational capability. He presented to those present the tasks of the unit in the coming period, from which he singled out the preparations for the upcoming “Force of Unity” military parade.
The holiday celebration was also attended by Head of the Human Resources Directorate (J-1), Brigadier General Slađan Hristov, Head of the Development and Equipment Directorate (J-5), Brigadier General Stanisav Mijailović, Commander of the 1st Army Brigade, Brigadier General Jovica Matić, Commander of the 4th Army Brigade, Colonel Grujica Vuković and Deputy Head of the Office of the Minister of Defense, Colonel Nikola Matović.
The Day of River Units and Day of the River Flotilla are celebrated on August 19 in memory of the day when, in 1915, the first Serbian warship - the armored boat Jadar - was launched from the Čukarica slope, which marked the beginning the rich history of the Serbian river war flotilla.
