Vucic: We are investing in our army to deter anyone from attacking Serbia

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday maintaining peace was crucial for Serbia and that the country was investing in its army to be able to deter anyone from attacking it.

Speaking to Prva TV, Vucic said 10,000 troops would take part in an upcoming September 20 military parade in Belgrade.

"For us, maintaining peace is crucial. However paradoxical and contradictory it might sound, we are investing in the army to deter anyone from attacking Serbia and to make it clear to those who are making unprincipled military alliances against Serbia that they have no business here. It is just to preserve peace, because we make progress in peace. To preserve stability, peace, security, to think about the future of our children and build our country," Vucic said.

He noted that the Serbian army had made serious progress following substantial investments and that, at the September 20 parade, people would see an army he was almost certain they had "never even imagined".

"An army of such strength, so different to what we have known of from some past period. Ten thousand troops will be participating - some on logistical duties, some on other duties, but ten thousand in total," Vucic said, noting that "even much larger armies around the world cannot execute that in this way."

He said people would have an opportunity to see modern military equipment and everything the Serbian army now had at its disposal.

"Serbia has a very layered anti-aircraft defence, and it will be even stronger. We are also acquiring some additional, new systems. It will be one of the strongest in Europe. We are also acquiring some other systems that are very good and can even help us defend ourselves from cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, which we could have never even dreamed of," Vucic said.