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Military of Serbia
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The Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) are the single unified defense force of the Republic of Serbia comprising of the Ground Force, Navy and Air Force. It was created by a decree of the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. This occurred on June 8, 2006, after the final collapse of Yugoslavia shortly after Montenegrin independence. This was the final dissolution of the Yugoslav rule on the Army Forces. Subsequently, for the first time since 1918 Serbia succeeded in regaining full control of its Armed Forces.
The Serbian Armed Forces are subordinate to the orders of the democratic civilian authorities, the laws of the state and norms.
The Serbian Armed Forces' objectives include:
Military History
Dating back to the 13th century, Serbia has played a significant part in the history of Europe.
Ideology
The Republic of Serbia has declared itself to be military neutral.
Discussion
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Encyclopedia
The Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) are the single unified defense force of the Republic of Serbia comprising of the Ground Force, Navy and Air Force. It was created by a decree of the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. This occurred on June 8, 2006, after the final collapse of Yugoslavia shortly after Montenegrin independence. This was the final dissolution of the Yugoslav rule on the Army Forces. Subsequently, for the first time since 1918 Serbia succeeded in regaining full control of its Armed Forces.
The Serbian Armed Forces are subordinate to the orders of the democratic civilian authorities, the laws of the state and norms.
The Serbian Armed Forces' objectives include:
- Defending Serbia from armed threats.
- Providing aid in case of natural disasters and catastrophes.
- Establishing and maintaining peace.
General information
Military History
Dating back to the 13th century, Serbia has played a significant part in the history of Europe.
Budget
Ideology
The Republic of Serbia has declared itself to be military neutral. The ideology is based on doctrine of Sweden, Switzerland, Finland or Austria. The country cannot enter military alliances without a civilian vote. The main duty of a neutral country is to abstain from war. Accordingly, the country is required to prepare itself in defending its neutrality. Consequently, Serbia has to do everything feasible to avert being drawn into wars.
Values
- The Serbian Armed Forces have a obligation to defend the existence of Serbia, its independence and the security of the citizens and residents of the state.
- The Serbian Armed Forces and its soldiers are obligated to protect human dignity. Every human being is of value regardless of his or her origin, religion, nationality, gender, status or position.
- The Serbian Armed Forces servicemen and women will acquire the professional knowledge and skills required to perform their tasks, and will implement them while striving continuously to perfect their personal and collective achievements.
- The Serbian Armed Forces soldiers view their service as a mission; they will be ready to give their all in order to defend the state, its citizens and residents. This is due to the fact that they are representatives of Serbia who act on the basis and in the framework of the authority given to them in accordance with army orders.
Structure
The Serbian Army leadership is segmented into three departments: strategic, operational and tactical. The Army is further segmented into three branches, Serbian Land Forces, Serbian Air Force and training centers. Thereafter, forces are organized into commands, units and other institutions.
General Staff
It has has the highest authority in the army structure. It is made up of all professional personnel that make strategical and tactical preparations and procedures for use in peacekeeping missions and in times of war.
Chief of General Staff Miloje Miletic, in accordance with the basis of the organization, formation and development of the military and acts of the President Boris Tadic:
- Develops the command structure
- Establishes a plan of recruitment and schedule for recruits
- Regulates training of the military
- Establishes plans for education and training
- Performing other tasks determined by Military law.
The Serbian Land Force
The branch is segmented into: the infantry, armored units, artillery, engineering, air defense artillery missile units, aviation, navy, electronic reconnaissance and warfare. Army services are further segmented into general or logistical. All services fall under general except, technical, procurement, medical, transport, vet, construction, and financial service, which are part of the logistical services.
The Serbian Air Force
The Air Force conducts, intelligence, security, liaison, informatics, nuclear-biological-chemical, air reconnaissance and reporting, geodetic, hydro meteorological and hydro-navigational and legal services.
Transformation
Structural
Since 2003, the Serbian Armed Forces have undergone a modernization and reform program of its structure. The number of active personal was decreased and redundant branches were eliminated in an effort to reduce expenses, increase the maneuverability and response time. Another key reform objective is the process of moving to a completely professional force and abolishing conscription by 2010.
Radar system
Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected to modernize air ground radio system communications throughout Serbia. This project was implemented in order to increase the numbers of commercial and military flights that could be monitored in Serbia's airspace. The project commenced on December 2008.
Weapons and equipment
Serbian Land Force equipment
Serbian Air Force Equipment
Nuclear weapons
Serbia has no ambition in creating nuclear weapons and has sent its entire stock of enriched uranium, which was a byproduct of the local nuclear power plant, to be disposed of in Russia. Serbia has the technological know-how of inter-continental missile construction. A number of facilities capable of supporting a nuclear program remain. The former Yugoslavia's main nuclear institute was the Vinca Institute near Belgrade.
Civil Services
Donations
During the gas disputes between Ukraine and Russia Serbia and its neighbors were left without natural gas for heating. Hours after the gas supply from Ukraine was announced to be cut, the 19th logistics battalion with the Army First Brigade donated and distributed heaters that use alternative sources of fuel. These heaters went to hospitals in Novi Sad.
United Nations Children's Fund
Chief of the Department for Training and Doctrine Major General Petar Cornakov presented the representatives of UNICEF program “School without Violence” a financial help which was collected by the members of Serbian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense. Approximately 290000 RSD ($6000 USD) donated will be used for implementing this project in “Djordje Natosevic” primary school in Novi Sad. Serbian Armed Forces support all similar campaigns where children get additional education and protection. In cooperation with other ministries and the team of experts, UNICEF has started a comprehensive program “School without violence” which provides the children and adults with necessary skills and knowledge to handle conflicts, for mitigating and cherishing the atmosphere of tolerance and understanding. This program is currently being implemented in 137 elementary schools in Serbia and has so far yielded good results-as it has helped create a safer and more secure environment where children learn, grow and develop their skills.
Military Medical Academy
Military Medical Academy is state-of-the-art military hospital found in Belgrade. The Serbian Armed Forces have voluntarily opened the hospital to all citizens of Serbia. The civilians are free to use the hospital on certain days of the week. During all other times the hospital is reserved for the military use.
Blood Drive
Serbian Armed Forces have organized a blood donation campaign on 28th of May 2008 in order to boost the supply. According to the words of the head of the Blood Transfusion Institute of Serbia, Snezana Draskovic, in May 2008 the blood supply was below needed quantity. Due to the blood donations of the Serbian Armed Forces the blood supplies have reached the needed amount.
Free medical assistance
Medical units of Serbian Armed Forces are providing free medical assistance and water supply in remote Albanian dominate villages of Presevo and Bujanovac municipalities in South Serbia. Military doctors have recently visited villages of Mali Trnovac and Trstena. The reaction of the mayor of Mali Trnovac, Sabri Jukupi, as well as the inhabitants has been positive. For example, the mayor has extended “his gratitude to soldiers of the Serbian Armed Forces” and has stated that the medicine received has been very important to his family.
Surgical emergencies
Lieutenant Corporal Goran Stankovic of the Serbian Armed Forces, states the example from a year and a half ago when a 15-year old boy Jeton Malici from Presevo was helping his father in the woods in cutting down trees and accidentally hurt his leg with a chain saw. His father Skender brought him to the local military base Cvore. Captain I Class Jovica Bosanac provided first aid to the boy and then ordered that a military medical vehicle transport the boy to Presevo. After the boy had recovered, Jeton’s father brought sweets and refreshments for the soldiers and commanders. The members of 78th motorized brigade due to the inaccessibility of the terrain had to dig out 1.1 km long water canal.
Road construction
Unit of the 78th motorized brigade are credited for the construction of many roads. For example, the villagers of Muhovac, a remote village that is predominantly Albanian in South Serbia was inaccessible by cars before the 78th motorized brigade built the road. Another project in Trniste municipality where the unit has cleared several kilometers of roads that was mostly inaccessible.
The the Serbian Armed Force members have repaired 8 km long road from Bujici to Ranitovac village, which earned them the gratitude of the local Albanian community. In addition, the military has built a road to a local mosque in South Serbia in the village of Ilince.
Unexploded missile cleanup
161 depleted uranium missiles have been recovered in southern Serbia yet no recovery has been made in Kosovo due to the legal restrictions on the Serbian army. The missiles were left in Reljan, near Presevo after the 1999 NATO bombing campaign. During the 78-day air strikes on Serbia's predecessor Yugoslavia in 1999, the NATO dropped 31,000 missiles and bombs containing depleted uranium, a kind of radioactive toxic material that has been linked to Gulf War syndrome and spiraling levels of cancer and birth deformities in Iraq. In Kosovo, the NATO has identified some 112 sites where it acknowledges using depleted uranium munitions. NATO has not given the government in Belgrade a comprehensive list of the bombing sites. The army cleanup operation in Reljan cleared all of the 12 hectares of contaminated grounds within months. A total of 2.4 cubic meters of contaminated soil has also been collected and removed.The Serbian government has funded the cleanup operation in the Reljan site with 350,000 Euros (450,000 U.S. dollars).
International Cooperation
Regional Initiatives
Peacekeeping operations
Serbia participates in peace operations under the UN auspices as observers or medical staff. Serbs are deployed in small numbers on a number of United Nations missions in the African Continent, including in Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia. The mission ONUB in Burundi has ended in 2007. The first Serbian military health corps was sent to Republic of Congo peacekeeping operation in March 2003, and its members are stationed in Kinshasa. Medical teams stationed in Congo, visited a local orphanage for kids who have lost parents because of AIDS. The teams donated food, money and basic supplies.
International partners
- 20 Algerian officers are attending postgraduate studies at the Military Technical Institute in Serbia.
- On November 5, 2008, China and Serbia have signed a military cooperation agreement. This has marked the official establishment of bilateral regular military cooperation between these two states. The main objective of the agreement is the enhancement of cooperation between the two defenses ministries. Future projects could include military medical cooperation between the two countries.
- Two nations have underlined the traditional friendly ties between Serbia and China, as well as their common respect for the principles of international law.
- China has recently donated €500,000 for the development of Serbian Armed Forces.
- Serbia had helped China by providing tents for the population hit by the earthquake in Szechwan where 80,000 persons died.
- Many Serbian troops are being educated in China. By the end of the year several more Serbian Officers will have the opportunity to attend training programs in China. Also, Chinese troops are being educated in Serbia. Serbia offers the capacities of its Atomic Biological Nuclear Chemical Center in Krusevac, the Center for Peace Operations, and the educational capacities of its Military Academy. One Chinese officer is attending Military Medical Academy in Serbia. Two Chinese doctors have recently completed specialization training in the same facility.
- Military cooperation between the two countries is satisfactory. Danish Deputy Permanent Secretary of State for Defense Kristian Fischer said that Denmark sees its military role in the semi-recognized republic of Kosovo, that is legally a part of Serbia, strictly within KFOR, that is, acting according to Resolution 1244 and international law.
- On January 26th 2009, defense Minister Dragan Šutanovac and his British counterpart Bob Ainsworth signed an agreement on defense sector cooperation.
- There is a special military tradition between France and Serbia. The tradition goes back to the First World War when the Serbs considered France their second home. This was because France saved thousands of Serbs from a sure death. They helped Serbian soldiers, woman and children to escape into Greek island of Corfu. Afterward, the Serbian army regrouped and joined the French in the Thessaloniki front.
- A draft of the agreement, that provides a base for Military Corporation, was handed to the French delegates in last 2008. The draft envisions military cooperation between the French and Serbian special forces.
- See also Serbian Army in Greece during World War 1
- The Greek defense journal Peripolis Hellenic Defense has reported military Special Forces from both Greece and Serbia have been holding joint exercises near Niš. This is a continuation of previous military cooperation between the two governments. Greece and Serbia have a long history of cooperation. During the wars in Yugoslavia there were Greek volunteer units alongside Serbian units.
- The first meeting between the Serbian Chief of the Armed Forces and his Hungarian counterpart was held during December 2008. The meeting was held in order to promote exchange of information and to open up the possibility of future cooperation.
- On December 18th 2008, Hungarian and Serbian delegation signed a bilateral military agreement that envisages joint training and an exchange of experiences regarding defence system reform and peacekeeping operations.
- Military ties between Baghdad and Belgrade resumed in September 2006. Iraq has since baught $230m worth of weapons, ammunition, explosives, as well as 20 Lasta 95 basic trainer aircraft from Serbia for the re-development of the Iraqi Army.
- On January 22nd 2009 Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Serbian counterpart have pledged to strengthen ties.
- 30 Iraqi officers are enrolled in the Military Technical Institute in Serbia.
- Serbian Defense Minister Boris Tadic signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel in July 2003.
- The MoU facilitated joint training exercises, intelligence exchanges and arms sales between the two countries. Cooperation has always been at a high level even in 90's during the breakup of Yugoslavia.
- Serbian soldiers are expected to arrive soon in Israel for training to operate an Orbiter unmanned aircraft system to be supplied by Aeronautics Defense Systems for $700,000 and delivered soon after training is complete.
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