28.12.2021.
Minister Stefanović on the procurement of “Cornets”: Serbia has a powerful weapon now
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović, PhD, told the Radio Television of Serbia that the "Cornet" anti-tank missiles made in Russia, which arrived in Serbia in mid-December, are a really impressive weapon and that Serbia has a really powerful weapon now. He also explains what new weapons will be procured in the forthcoming period, and whether Soviet or French aircraft will be procured.
The Russian-made Cornet anti-tank missiles arrived in Serbia in mid-December. It is one of the most modern anti-tank weapons systems.
"It is a really impressive weapon, it is a man-portable anti-tank system that can engage all armoured targets, tanks, armoured personnel carriers and bunkers, both mobile and immobile targets, at distances of up to eight kilometres, which is a really impressive distance and the Serbian Armed Forces have a really powerful weapon now", says Stefanović.
He added that Cornet has a great penetrating power, it can go through 1200 mm of reactive armour.
“It is a very defensive weapon which makes sure that no armoured vehicle can pose a threat to the country, and that no aggression can be directed at Serbia, because we have an adequate weapon against any tank that might step on our territory", the Minister added.
He points out that the Cornet missiles will be issued primarily to the 72nd Special Operations Brigade.
“They will be mounted on our Miloš vehicles, but they will also be distributed to other units that need this weapon, in accordance with the General Staff's estimate.
142 million euros will be invested in Serbian factoriesThe 2022 budget allocated to the Serbian Armed Forces is over a billion euros, and Stefanović says that this is not just an increase in budget, but a strategic investment intended for building the capabilities of our country, our industry and armed forces, but also for procuring foreign weapons, because we need to follow trends.
He said that it was agreed with President Vučić that 142 million euros should be invested in domestic factories.
“Those funds have not been allocated for the procurement of anything, they have been allocated to factories to increase their capabilities, because we want them to keep up with the times. Those are huge funds, and we want them to use those funds to increase their production capacity and produce more and better quality equipment than before“, said Stefanović.
In addition to that, he said that 1.25 billion euros will be spent mostly on domestic products, i.e. products manufactured by those factories.
“They will have a very ambitious and demanding task, to fulfil the General Staff's procurement demands”, the Minister added.
What new weapons are coming
Minister Stefanović also announced what new weapons will arrive in our country next year.
"In 2022, we will get six new Noras, six new domestic howitzers to complete one full division, we currently have 12 of them, but we will have 18 next year, 12 new PASARS systems, 18 new Lazars, 20 new Miloš vehicles, 10 new MRAPs – these are armoured personnel carriers with the highest degree of protection, 2,000 new ballistic equipment kits and 2,000 modular rifles produced by "Zastava", said Stefanović.
In addition, we will also get three Russian-made Mi-17 helicopters, 18 sets of Mistral missiles that will be mounted on PASARS systems, five Little Miloš vehicles, 66 Hummers, and 10 BOV armoured vehicles.
"It is only what we have already paid for and that has already been produced mostly by domestic factories," the Minister said.
In addition, he says, 22 new radars have been agreed upon, which will arrive in the forthcoming years, and that will increase the Air Force’s capability to monitor the entire territory.
"We will receive four Mi-35s over the next few years, four helicopters that we ordered from the Russian Federation. These are real flying beasts armed with very powerful weapons, two CASA C-295 transport aircraft that will help our Air Force personnel acquire a new ability, because these are serious transport aircraft, and very important for paratroopers," says Stefanović.
He points out that 10 X-145 "Airbus" helicopters and two new Pantsir batteries will arrive in the coming years. "This will significantly strengthen and provide greater security to our sky," he added.
Will we buy Mi-35s from Cyprus
The purchase of Mi-35s from Cyprus was also mentioned. When asked if it pays to purchase those used helicopters, Stefanović said that the Air Force will make an assessment, and it all depends on the price.
"It's not just a purchase. It includes modernization and overhaul gear and the installation of completely new parts. Complete overhaul is performed by removing everything from the helicopters and installing new parts, so you practically get new helicopters," Stefanović explained.
Then the price of the helicopter, overhaul and modernization with a set of spare parts, set of weapons and helicopter storage facilities is calculated. “That is one of the problems we have, we are trying to quickly build hangars and halls to store all that," the Minister added.
"When you calculate the total cost, you decide whether it pays or not, but there are a few more questions - do we have a better option, do we have an alternative, can we get it cheaper, faster, more efficiently? Do we have mechanics trained to work on this type of helicopters, do we have pilots trained to fly them, do we know how to use them tactically and strategically," the Minister said.
According to him, our current opinion is that it will suit us, but the Air Force will make the final decision on whether we need it or not.
Regarding the fighter aviation and whether we will be able to choose between Russian and French aircraft, Stefanović says that either way, a huge amount of money is in question, and that the matter is under strategic consideration.
"According to what the Air Force told the President, they are more in favour of purchasing the French Rafale fighter jets, but after in-depth analyses, we will see what the Armed Forces will decide on," Stefanović concluded.
Source: Radio Television of Serbia
VIDEOGALLERY28.12.2021
Radio Television of Serbia: Morning News
