30.09.2021.

Minister Stefanović attends ceremony marking AD Artillery and Missile Units Day

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Nebojša Stefanović, PhD, attended the ceremony marking the AD Artillery and Missile Units Day in the "Banjica" barracks in Belgrade. Congratulating them on their anniversary, Minister Stefanović said that Serbia is proud of their determination, courage and readiness to defend their country and always be with their people.

- At the beginning of the First World War, like other armies in those times, our army did not have developed air defence. The air defence was first established and the first Serbian artillery anti-aircraft guns were designed in 1915. On September 30, 1915, seven German aircraft flew from the airport near Vršac and dropped 45 bombs on Kragujevac - Minister Stefanović noted. He added that the Serbian artillery responded fiercely.

- From the position on Metino brdo, artilleryman Radoje Raka Ljutovac shot down the leading Rumpler, hitting it directly with a grenade fired from an adapted "Krupp" gun - Minister Stefanović said.

This was, he said, the first recorded case in the history of warfare of a military aircraft being shot down with ground-to-air artillery fire, so after the First World War, September 30 was celebrated as the anti-aircraft units day.

- Speaking about warfare and modern warfare, especially when it comes to your branch, I would like to refer to the period of NATO aggression, marked by the shooting down of an F-117A Stealth Fighter by our missiles on March 27, 1999. That night, the combat crew of the 250th Air Defence Missile Brigade’s Third Missile Division shot down the "invisible" fighter with a NEVA system missile at 8.42. After that, NATO did everything to neutralize our anti-aircraft defence and ensure unhindered action of its attacking flying formations - Minister Stefanović pointed out.

According to him, few books have been written and few films have been made to accurately describe the heroism of the Air Force and Air Defence personnel, who were actively engaged throughout the war, fully aware of the risks, which essentially meant they could lose their lives at any moment.

- The aircraft that were downed and damaged in these actions are only a part of the contribution of the AF and AD units to the defence of our country. The determination to persevere until the very end and constant fighting against utterly dominant NATO aviation, encouraged our people, and forced the enemy to act from a distance. In December 1999, the 250th Air Defence Missile Brigade was awarded the highest war decoration - the Order of the People's Hero, for exceptional deeds and heroism demonstrated in the defence of the homeland - Minister Stefanović pointed out.

The heroism of our soldiers, the Minister of Defence noted, was not always supported by adequate equipment and means of combat.

- Fortunately, from 2012 until today, the government has been investing much more in modern air defence systems, in the training and development of our Air Defence officers and soldiers, and in the modernization of the systems that will continue to defend our skies. I am proud of the results you achieve and I said that to some of the awarded members here today - said Minister Stefanović.

We are also proud, he said, of the results we achieve at firing ranges at home and abroad, where we show our capabilities.

- But above all, we are proud of your determination, courage and readiness to defend this country the way you are expected to - said Minister Stefanović.

- I believe that in the coming years, with the huge support of President Vučić and our Government, we will get new combat systems, in addition to the ones we can see here today, including "Pantsir" as the most modern among them, which will strengthen you and make sure that, in addition to heroism and determination, you also have adequate means to protect our sky - Minister Stefanović said.

Emphasizing, once again, how proud he was of their results, the Minister congratulated the members of these units on the effort, knowledge and energy they invest in working with the soldiers and officers of our armed forces.

- Be sure that the people in this country, our people, proudly speak about you as a part of our armed forces that has always been there in most difficult times, inextricably linked to its people - concluded Minister Stefanović.

Minister Stefanović presented the best individuals with monetary awards at today's ceremony.

On the occasion of the AD Artillery and Missile Units Day, Minister Stefanović, accompanied by the Air Force and Air Defence Commander, Lieutenant General Duško Žarković and the Commander of the 250th Air Defence Missile Brigade, Brigadier General Tiosav Janković, laid a wreath at the memorial to the fallen members of these units. Wreaths were also laid by former commanders of the units.