30.04.2022.
President Vučić: I am proud of the armed forces and our Serbia
Following the completion of the demonstration of capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces dubbed “SHIELD 2022”, President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić stated that he is proud of the Serbian Armed Forces and of the huge progress they have made.
- I am proud of our Serbia, because we were here in 2013 as well, at the first air show. We had nothing to lift into the air, we had no air defence to show, or the assets, but today I am proud just like Tiosav Janković, a legendary fighter, is proud, and Žarković and all the people from our Air Force and Air Defence are satisfied and happy. I would like to congratulate everyone for a superbly executed exercise, and you had an opportunity to see that our generals flew in MiGs, and our commanders flew in “Orao” aeroplanes, so that they could show that they are always with their soldiers, and to show that they always and everywhere, just like non-commissioned officers and soldiers, perform the most difficult tasks possible – President Vučić stated.
He noted that on that day both on aprons and dynamic segment of the programme, there were 10 out of 14 modernised MiG-29s and 11 “Orao” aeroplanes.
- That is part of our bomber aviation. Since this is the place where I should say it, the bomber aviation will require additional investments and that is why we are thinking about something which is today called “fighter-bomber” aviation, and soon, we will make decisions in that respect, much like we will significantly strengthen our fighter aviation. Unless, of course, there are political obstacles, and even if there were on one side, there would not be on the other. Serbia is a neutral country and Serbia has to find solutions to be able to protect its sky and protect its country. Accordingly, and mindful of the fact that we were able until now to invest much more money, since that is not the issue, I am confident that all these people, and even those who used to be in power, still love their armed forces, love their country. But recently, we have had more money, and we created better conditions which is why we were able to do everything to equip such armed forces with modern assets – President Vučić stated.
Vučić also stressed that we will continue doing so.
- I am particularly satisfied with some small things. When we visit our divers and see that they do not have so-called dry suits, and when we provide that to them, and our members of 72nd Special Operations Brigade in Pančevo receive it, then I am satisfied. When I see that we always choose and search for new and newer boots that would be as comfortable as possible for the feet of our soldiers, then I am satisfied as well. I talk about those little things, because they are extremely important for our people too, not just those strategic, big ones, which mean a lot so that we could deter every potential aggressor. General Mojsilović and General Žarković told me that until recently we could aim at 15 targets in the air simultaneously, but today we are capable of aiming at more than 90. In the upcoming period, we will be capable of aiming at several hundred targets – the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces stated.
According to him, the state will continue strengthening our Air Force and Air Defence.
- At the same time, our helicopter units are getting ever stronger. We need much more pilots. We will procure more helicopters. Today we have seen a part of Serbian defence industry, and how we managed in a short time, from a prototype of “Pasars” to produce these first 19, and I suppose that another 40 should be completed by the end of the year. These are the ones with 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns that can be used in anti-armour combat or in anti-personnel combat with “Šilo”. Here, we will add French “Mistral” missiles which we have already purchased, that are also used to target helicopters, aeroplanes flying at low altitudes at distances up to 7 and 8 kilometres – the President explained.
Evaluating today’s demonstration as almost perfect, the President of the Republic extended his congratulations to the Ministry of Defence and Serbian Armed Forces.
- I congratulate you on the executed demonstration. I am pleased to have seen a lot of children, many young people, as well as older people who showed their interest and came to see how and to what extent their armed forces are making progress. I am proud of Serbia, proud of its armed forces, and I thank everyone who have organised this magnificent event. Long live Serbia! – Vučić exclaimed.
Serbian Member of Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik expressed his gratitude to the Serbian Armed Forces and their Supreme Commander for the demonstration.
- This is a practical proof of the manner and the way in which the equipping and combat readiness of the Serbian Armed Forces progressed. Today, we have a new, immeasurable advance that shows that the Serbian Armed Forces are capable of successfully defending our people, and Serbia, and by demonstrating such readiness they show that they can be a factor of deterrence against very thought that Serbia can be targeted again as it used to be. I thank President Vučić, I thank the minister, and the Chief of General Staff and all the people involved in this demonstration. This is truly something that fills the hearts of the Serbs with pride wherever they live. This is closely followed in the Republic of Srpska and we are very proud of the success presented here – Dodik concluded.
Today’s demonstration included the participation of more than 1000 members of the Ministry of Defence and Serbian Armed Forces, more than 300 assets of materiel and more than 60 aeroplanes, helicopters and remotely controlled aircraft.
