09.01.2021.
A text by Minister Stefanović for “Blic“ newspaper: All soldiers are special because they have chosen to serve Serbia
In his text for the “Blic” newspaper, the Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović reveals all strengths of the Serbian Armed Forces and what awaits an ordinary soldier in the coming period.
72nd Special Brigade
Energy and top training. Those are the first two things we associate with the members of our 72nd Special Operations Brigade. It is certainly the best-equipped unit of the Serbian Armed Forces, which closely monitors modern security challenges and is always ready to react. It is a unit that is always up to the task and ranks with the most powerful armies in the world. I watched them overcome the most complex obstacles and undergo trainings that are so complex that they require the strength of a special agent, and not that of an ordinary person.
Serving your country in such an elite unit is an honour for every soldier, but it also obliges you to be the best. That is why we must show utmost respect to its members. Although today, when fortunately we live in a peaceful and safe country, they seem like film stars to young people, members of the 72nd Brigade are our people’s heroes. They defended their homeland when it was the most difficult, even at the cost of their own lives.
We are obliged to remember the 24 members of this unit who gave their lives for Serbia and to take care of their families. We are also obliged, as a state, to continuously invest in their equipment, training and better financial status, so that they can continue being a bulwark of Serbia's defence against all possible challenges and threats and a guarantor of peaceful sleep for all our citizens. Also, it is interesting that while visiting this unit, I met my namesake, Staff Sergeant Nebojša Stefanović.63rd Parachute Brigade
Hard-earned respect. These words best describe this unit of the Serbian Armed Forces. In their mission for honour and the fatherland, today's members are guided by high criteria laid down by generations upon generations of its former members in the past decades. Today, Serbia pays tribute to its heroes and preserves the memory of their deeds, but also invests in the modernization and progress of the unit and the training of new generations of its members, which was not the case in the past.
Equipping the 63rd Parachute Brigade and improving its working conditions will continue in the coming period, which will show these great people that their dedicated fight for a safe Serbia has the state’s wholehearted support.Let me remind you that at this moment, this elite unit’s flag is travelling around the world. It will be passed from hand to hand by its veterans until October. After travelling around Serbia, Europe and the whole world, it will return to Niš just for the brigade's birthday. At the moment, the flag is in Slovenia, and on its journey it will go as far as Niagara Falls and Alaska, and then return home, that is, to Serbia. We are grateful to the Serbian Armed Forces veterans who initiated this event. As a country and a nation, we must not abandon our history and traditions if we want to build a better future for our children.
Military aircraft and helicopters
Today, our Air Force and Air Defence has the latest aircraft and equipment, such as the upgraded MiG-29 and "Pantsir", which makes it well-equipped and respected in the region and, most importantly, a strong guarantor of the security of our skies. Of course, we will not stop there, because further modernization of the “Orao” (Eagle) aircraft, P-12 and P-18 radars and a lot of other equipment is ahead of us, as well as the overhaul of the “Gazela” and “Gama” helicopters, the “Neva” missile system, etc.
However, the Air Force and Air Defence personnel is our greatest resource, as is the personnel of all our other commands and units. When you meet our pilots, technicians and other employees of the Air Force and Air Defence, you are left speechless. These are our country’s silent heroes who constantly train, who guard our sky day and night and give their all for our country to be safe. 
They do not complain about anything and do not ask for gratitude for what they do, but we are obliged to show them that their work is appreciated. As I always say, neither new planes nor tanks are enough for us if we do not have trained and capable people in commands.What awaits an ordinary soldier
There is no ordinary soldier. All soldiers are special because they have chosen to serve Serbia and dedicate their lives to defending it. Their financial status will improve this year. There can be no strong and powerful armed forces without a satisfied soldier. In addition to a five percent pay rise for the public sector staff, the employees of the Serbian Armed Forces will receive a 10 percent salary increase this year.
This increase will not be linear. The lowest paid soldiers will receive the largest increase – soldiers employed on a contract basis, lance corporals, corporals, junior sergeants, NCOs and finally officers. I am really grateful to President Vučić for recognizing the importance of investing in soldiers' salaries. Soldiers defend the state uncompromisingly and it is crucial that they feel that the state supports them, provides them with a good income and the opportunity to solve the housing issues in the most favourable way.
New weapons and equipment
We are continuing the equipping and modernization in accordance with the needs expressed by the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces. I’m grateful to Milan Mojsilović for excellent cooperation over the first two months since I took over the department. I think that it is extremely important that the Ministry and the Serbian Armed Forces function perfectly together. It is important for me to know what soldiers think is important and what they need. In the previous period, a lot of equipment has been provided, but we should certainly continue that process because the security challenges in the modern world are changing rapidly.
Military neutrality is the strategic commitment of our country, which also means that the domestic industry is primarily responsible for equipping, so that we are minimally dependent on imports from abroad. In the coming period, we are expecting purchases of domestic products, such as the "Miloš" and "Lazar" combat vehicles, BOV OT armoured personnel carriers, MRAP armoured vehicles, "Little Miloš" robotic vehicles, as well as the purchase of "Oganj", "Nora", PASARS systems, etc.
Of course, we will also purchase equipment from various foreign partners, which will make us even stronger and more efficient. Also, all of us in the defence system are grateful to President Vučić for the additional funds that will be invested in the procurement of new combat systems.