30.04.2022.
Great Interest of Citizens in “SHIELD 2022”
A great number of citizens attended today’s demonstration of capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces “SHIELD 2022” held at military airfield “Colonel-Pilot Milenko Pavlović” in Batajnica. The visitors started arriving as early as 8.30 desiring to have a closer look at the state-of-the-art arms and weapons of our armed forces and to observe the announced demonstration of capabilities of units from Air Force and Air Defence, the Army, 72nd Special Operations Brigade and 63rd Parachute Brigade.
The dynamic and static segments of the demonstration, which involved 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, left a strong impression on the visitors who came to Batajnica airfield from all over the country, and even from abroad.
The new air defence missile system FK-3 attracted particular attention of the visitors, as well as the artillery missile system “Pantsir S-1”, and the latest helicopters Mi-35, H-145 and Mi-17, as well as modern army combat assets – tanks M-84AB1 and T-72MS, self-propelled howitzers “Nora B-52” and domestically produced fighting vehicles “Lazar-3” and “Miloš“. The fans of the aviation could see modernised MiG-29s, as well as drones CH-92 and domestically manufactured “Pegasus” which was presented to the public for the first time in its armed version.
There were many aviation lovers among the visitors, one of them being Dragana Bukvić who enjoyed in the flight programme of the demonstration.
- This was a unique opportunity to see what it is that the armed forces have. I found the most interesting the flight programme and MiG-29s. The entire programme was very nice, and they were really well prepared and made great effort. This was really worth seeing first-hand – Dragana underlined.
Nenad Pavlović from Belgrade enjoyed the demonstration “SHIELD 2022” and he was impressed by the number of displayed military assets.
- For me the most interesting was the Russian helicopter Mi-35, Kornet, the drones, fighting vehicles “Lazar” and “Miloš“… It would take me a whole day to see everything that has been displayed. The armed forces are really well equipped and they should be equipping – Nenad concluded.
Pavel Popić came from Novi Sad and he attended the demonstration. He underlined that he was impressed by what he saw at Batajnica airfield.
- I am quite satisfied with today’s demonstration of capabilities and equipment of members of the Serbian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence, who were rather inclined to answer all our questions, especially those regarding the equipment modernisation - Popić noticed adding that the modification of missile system Kub was the most interesting to him.
Apart from the citizens from Serbia, the demonstration was observed by foreign nationals as well, one of them being Maria Teresa from Italy, who did not hide her exuberance over what she had seen at the military airfield Batajnica.
- I was impressed by everything, but most of all the aeroplanes – Maria said.
Đorđe Popović from Podgorica came to see what the Serbian Armed Forces have to offer and he pointed out that he was pleased with what he had seen.
- I wanted to see what the armed forces squadron is like. I am really happy for coming here. That sound and the smell of kerosene reinforces my love for the aviation which I have felt my entire life. If only I could become a pilot one day. Everything was perfect – Đorđe emphasised.
