22.04.2023.
Great Interest of Citizens in “Granite 2023”
More than 45,500 visitors attended today’s demonstration of capabilities of Serbian Armed Forces “Granite 2023” at the military airfield “Colonel-Pilot Milenko Pavlović” in Batajnica.
The demonstration involved more than 5,000 members of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, about 2,300 pieces of arms and military equipment and over 60 aircraft.
The flying programme among other included the flights of aeroplanes MiG-29, Orao and Lasta, helicopters Mi-35, H-145 and Mi-17.
At the military airfield the visitors were able to see an unmanned aerial vehicle “CH-95”for the first time, and there was also the static display of FK-3 and Pantsir anti-aircraft missile systems, modernised missile systems Kub, anti-aircraft self-propelled artillery-missile system PASARS , anti-tank missile systems Kornet, 155 mm self-propelled gun-howitzer NORA, and modular Oganj.
Particularly attractive to the lovers of arms and military equipment were armoured fighiting vehicles Lazar-3, Miloš, and Humvees, as well as armoured transporters MRAP 6x6.
All citizens, particularly the youngest ones, enjoyed the parade of special forces units equipped with the state-of-the-art arms and military equipment and by the flypast of air echelon.
There were many fans of aviation among the visitors one of them being Milena Vićević from Užice.
- I have never had a chance of attending such event until now. I liked it the most when the aeroplanes landed with our flag and when the music started. I got goosebumps all over - Milena said.
Dimitrije Ogan from Batajnica did not hide his exhilaration.
- The impressions are phenomenal! I like everything, starting from the modernised tanks and all the rest. This has been the first time for me to be at an air show. I have been living in Batajnica for ten years and this has surpassed all my expectations - Dimitrije said.
Members of special units of Serbian Armed Forces caught the greatest attention of Nikola Bikić from Novi Sad.
- I have come here because I wanted to see members of special units and aeroplanes and helicopter taking off and landing. God willing, next year I will serve my military service - Nikola stressed.
For Jelena Antić from Zrenjanin, today’s demonstration of capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces evoked childhood memories.
- I came here because I used to come here as a child given that my father is a serviceman. I liked the most the performance of the aeroplanes of course. I like the fact that many people have come, and that we have finally started restoring the armed forces to the place where they used to be - Jelena underlined.
Nebojša Vukadinović from Sirig brought his daughter Maša to today’s demonstration of capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces “Granite 2023”.
- Love for the Serbian army is part of our tradition, and that motivated me to bring my child so that she get familiarised with our armed forces. I served my military service long time ago, but it is good to remind myself of the old days. I liked everything presented today, particularly the organisation. I congratulate them for that and I wish a lot of success to our armed forces! - Nebojša said.
