Macut: Military neutrality calls for advancement of Serbian army's capabilities

BELGRADE - PM-Designate Djuro Macut said in the parliament on Tuesday Serbia's commitment to military neutrality in a complex global geopolitical situation called for continued creation of conditions for stable functioning, efficient management, sustainability, development as well as advancement of the capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces.

"The government will continue activities aimed at implementing the commitments set out in the concept of total defence, whereby we will significantly strengthen the capabilities and the capacities of the defence system, advancing the overall security of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens," Macut said, presenting his government's programme to MPs.

He said the adoption of a strategic defence review had created the conditions for stepping up the work on a new long-term development plan for the Serbian defence system until 2035.

"The Serbian Armed Forces continue to advance their operational capabilities through acquisitions of leading-edge arms and military equipment. In line with our strategic commitments, mostly locally developed and locally manufactured equipment is being acquired," he said.

Macut said that, through acquisitions from partner countries, the fleet of multirole helicopters had been increased by several times, and that new cargo planes had been acquired, with new, modernised artillery systems delivered and the number of modern tanks increased as well.

He also noted Serbia had established a respectable fleet of UAVs and modern assault drones.

"In the coming period, the key tasks are related to acceptance and use of Rafale fighter jets and further acquisitions of new, modernised anti-aircraft defence systems. In the segment of acquisitions of high-technology weapons, the number of aircraft and unmanned land platforms will be increased and their autonomy will be advanced through implementation of artificial intelligence," Macut said.