Vucic: I proposed adoption of robotisation strategy for Serbian Armed Forces

BELGRADE - Speaking to reporters after a meeting with top-ranking Ministry of Defence and army officials, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday he had proposed the preparation and adoption of a robotisation strategy for the Serbian Armed Forces and the establishment of a unit equipped with robotised platforms.

"As commander-in-chief of the Serbian Armed Forces, today I proposed the preparation and adoption of a robotisation strategy and the establishment of a battalion-level unit equipped with robotised platforms, execution of organisational preparations for forming a division and a battalion of long-range assault drones and loitering munition, training for special and reconnaissance units for determining the target coordinates for directing artillery and air force fire, further acquisitions of equipment and training for use of drones in other units," Vucic said.

He added that he had asked the army officers to "participate in this with enormous enthusiasm, even greater commitment and great energy, in a revolutionary period of major changes in our military, digitalisation and robotisation of our army and use of the most powerful and leading-edge missiles".

Vucic said the security situation was slightly more complex compared to January, above all, because of further activities by a Pristina-Tirana-Zagreb military alliance.

"Our commitment to preserving peace and stability has not changed, and we can preserve that only if we are strong enough, if we are powerful enough," he said.

Vucic: There will be many expectations from Serbia from various sides, we will safeguard our position

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday Serbia had always been trying to safeguard its position and noted that he would do everything in his power to ensure the country continues that policy even though there would be "many expectations from Serbia from various sides."

Asked to comment on a statement by Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, who has described him as a vastly experienced politician conducting a policy that is in the interest of the Serbian citizens, Vucic responded that he had always said Serbia was on the EU path and that he had given many reasons for that, and that Lavrov himself had mentioned some of them.

"I have said we will be trying to ensure that is never at the expense of Russian interests and, above all, Serbian interests. We will be looking to act that way, even though our space has become very limited. To me, it is clear where that statement about Serbia, a very extensive and very long statement, was made. It is clear to me that this was an important topic also at a meeting between the Russian and Chinese FMs. It is clear to me that there will be many expectations from Serbia from various sides in the period to come," Vucic said after a meeting with top-ranking Serbian Armed Forces and Ministry of Defence officials.

He said uneasy times were ahead and that he could not say anything Lavrov had said was inaccurate or untrue, and noted that Serbia had been trying, in every possible way, to safeguard its own, Serbian position while many people - including in Serbia - had been trying to make such a position impossible.

"We have endured so far, we will see for how much longer we will be able to, but I think it was the correct policy and I have been elected by the people as someone who should be safeguarding its freedom, independence and sovereignty. I will do everything in my power to ensure we conduct such a policy in the coming period as well," Vucic said.