Serbian Armed Forces

Armed Forces of Serbia
Serbian: Vojska Srbije
Service branches	Land Forces Air Force and Air Defense
Headquarters	Belgrade
Leadership
President	Boris Tadić
Minister of Defence	Dragan Šutanovac
Chief of Staff	Lt. Gen Miloje Miletić
Personnel
Military age	18
Active personnel	41,000 ranked 79th
Expenditure
Budget	1.94 Billion USD (2008)
Percent of GDP	2,4% (2008)
Related articles
History	Military history of Serbia
Ranks	Serbian military ranks and insignia

The Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) are the unified defense force of the Republic of Serbia consisting of ground forces, the navy and air force. The SAF was officially formed in 2006. SAF is subordinate to the directions of the democratic civilian authorities, the laws of the state and norms of human dignity. The Serbian Armed Forces goals include:

• Defending Serbia from armed foreign threats.
• Providing assistance in case of natural disasters and catastrophes.
• Participating in building and maintaining world peace.

General information

Ideology

The Republic of Serbia has proclaimed itself to be military neutrality. The ideology is based on Military doctrine of Sweden, Switzerland, Finland and Austria. The main task of neutral countries is abstention from war. The country also cannot enter any military alliance without a civilian referendum. According to the ideology of military neutrality, Serbia has to do everything to avoid being drawn into any wars. On the other hand the country is required to prepare itself in defending its neutrality.

Values

• The SAF's goal is to defend the existence of Serbia, its independence and the security of the citizens and residents of the state.
• The SAF and its soldiers are obligated to protect human dignity. Every human being is of value regardless of his or her origin, religion, nationality, gender, status or position.
• The SAF servicemen and women will acquire the professional knowledge and skills required to perform their tasks, and will implement them while striving continuously to perfect their personal and collective achievements.
• The SAF soldiers view their service in the SAF as a mission; They will be ready to give their all in order to defend the state, its citizens and residents. This is due to the fact that they are representatives of the SAF who act on the basis and in the framework of the authority given to them in accordance with SAF orders.

Structure

Template:Srpskavojska The Serbian Army leadership is segmented into three departments: strategic, operational and tactical. The Army is further segmented into three branches, Land Forces, Air force and training centers. Thereafter, forces are organized into commands, units and other institutions.

The Serbian Land Force branches constitute: the infantry, armored units, artillery, engineering, air defense artillery missile units, aviation, navy, electronic reconnaissance and warfare. Army services are further segmented into general or logistical. All services fall under general except, technical, procurement, medical, transport, vet, construction, and financial service, which are part of the logistical services.

The Serbian Air Force conduct, intelligence, security, liaison, informatics, nuclear-biological-chemical, air reconnaissance and reporting, geodetic, hydro meteorological and hydro-navigational and legal services.

General Staff of the Military of Serbia has the highest authority in the army structure. It is made up of all professional personnel that make strategical and tactical preparations and procedures for use in peacekeeping missions and in times of war. Chief of General Staff, in accordance with the basis of the organization, formation and development of the military and acts of the President:

• Develops the command structure
• Establishes a plan of recruitment and schedule for recruits
• Regulates training of the military
• Establishes plans for education and training
• Performing other tasks determined by Military law.

Serbian Armed Forces Organization

Transformation

Strategic Defense Review is an additional project that was established in 2006 in order to increase efficiency in the modernization process. It calls for an increase in peacekeeping missions. One of the major pillars of this project is a revised plan for faster establishment of an all volunteer armed forces by 2010. In July 2006, a month after the official signing of the bill, a 77% volunteer brigade consisting of 1748 troops was established. Two months after, an all volunteer special brigade was established. This brigade consists of 1300 all volunteer soldiers and is the first of its kind in Serbia.

Structural

Since 2003, the Serbian Armed Forces has undergone a modernization and reform program of its structure. The number of active personal was reduced and redundant branches were eliminated in an effort to cut costs and the military more maneuverable and flexible. Another key reform goal is the process of moving to a completely professional force and abolishing conscription by 2010.

Mobile Equipment

The replacement of obsolete equipment is a primary part of the reform process. Much of the current arsenal and equipment is composed from the Yugoslav era. The Air Force was until recently the most neglected branch of the Armed Forces. The injection of funds has helped revitalize the youngest branch in the services. The Air Forces main reform goal is the purchase of 24 to 30 new multi-role fighter aircraft to replace its aging MiG-21 fleet which is due to in 2010. A tender for the replacement will be announced in 2011 and completed by 2014. Currently the Air Force has modernized MiG-29s. Serbia has a long history of domestic aerospace development and is currently developing laser guided missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles for both domestic use and export. It has acquired Israeli made UAV's to meet current needs. The Air Force will also modernize 15 G-4 Super Galebs to G-4MD standard. Tenders for new transport helicopters and aircraft will be announced before 2011. The transport helicopters are to be used for medical transportation for peacekeeping missions.

Immobile Equipment and Assets

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been selected to modernize air ground radio system communications throughout Serbia. This project was implemented in order to increase the numbers of commercial and military flights that could be monitored in Serbia's airspace. The project commenced on December 2008 and is supposed to be finished in two years.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Serbia has no ambition in creating nuclear weapons and has consequently sent its entire stock of enriched uranium, which was a byproduct of the local nuclear power plant, to be disposed of in Russia. Serbia has the technological know-how of inter-continental missile construction and had significant quantities of enriched uranium. A number of facilities capable of supporting a nuclear program remain. The former Yugoslavia's main nuclear institute was the Vinca Institute near Belgrade, and since the dissolution of the republic the appropriation of responsibility remains unclear between the federal level and the Serbian based Vinca Institute.

The symbol of the Army used on dress uniforms

The symbol of the Army used on camouflage uniforms

Civil Services

Donations

During the gas disputes between Ukraine and Russia Serbia and its neighbors were left without natural gas for heating. Hours after the gas supply from Ukraine was announced to be cut, the 19th logistics battalion with the Army First Brigade, donated and distributed heaters that use alternative sources of fuel. These heaters went to hospitals in Novi Sad.

United Nations Children's Fund

Chief of the Department for Training and Doctrine Major General Petar Cornakov presented the representatives of UNICEF program “School without Violence” a financial help which was collected by the members of Serbian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense. Approximately 290000 RSD ($6000 USD) donated will be used for implementing this project in “Djordje Natosevic” primary school in Novi Sad. Serbian Armed Forces support all similar campaigns where children get additional education and protection. In cooperation with other ministries and the team of experts, UNICEF has started a comprehensive program “School without violence” which provides the children and adults with necessary skills and knowledge to handle conflicts, for mitigating and cherishing the atmosphere of tolerance and understanding. This program is currently being implemented in 137 elementary schools in Serbia and has so far yielded good results-as it has helped create a safer and more secure environment where children learn, grow and develop their skills.

Military Medical Academy

Military Medical Academy is state-of-the-art military hospital found in Belgrade. The Serbian Armed Forces have voluntarily opened the hospital to all citizens of Serbia. The civilians are free to use the hospital on certain days of the week. During all other times the hospital is reserved for the military use.

Blood Drive

Serbian Armed Forces have organized a blood donation campaign on 28th of May 2008 in order to boost the supply. According to the words of the head of the Blood Transfusion Institute of Serbia, Snezana Draskovic, in May 2008 the blood supply was below needed quantity. Due to the blood donations of the Serbian Armed Forces the blood supplies have reached the needed amount.

Free Medical Assistance

Medical units of Serbian Armed Forces are providing free medical assistance and water supply in remote Albanian dominate villages of Presevo and Bujanovac municipalities in South Serbia. Military doctors have recently visited villages of Mali Trnovac and Trstena. The reaction of the mayor of Mali Trnovac, Sabri Jukupi, as well as the inhabitants has been positive. For example, the mayor has extended “his gratitude to soldiers of the Serbian Armed Forces ” and has stated that the medicine received has been very important to his family.

Surgical Emergencies

Lieutenant Corporal Goran Stankovic of the Serbian Armed Forces, states the example from a year and a half ago when a 15-year old boy Jeton Malici from Presevo was helping his father in the woods in cutting down trees and accidentally hurt his leg with a chain saw. His father Skender brought him to the local military base Cvore. Captain I Class Jovica Bosanac provided first aid to the boy and then ordered that a military medical vehicle transport the boy to Presevo. After the boy had recovered, Jeton’s father brought sweets and refreshments for the soldiers and commanders. The members of 78th motorized brigade due to the inaccessibility of the terrain had to dig out 1.1 km long water canal.

Road Construction

Unit of the 78th motorized brigade are credited for the construction of many roads. For example, the villagers of Muhovac, a remote village that is predominantly Albanian in South Serbia was inaccessible by cars before the 78th motorized brigade built the road. Another project in Trniste municipality where the unit has cleared several kilometers of roads that were mostly inaccessible. The the Serbian Armed Force members have repaired 8 km long road from Bujici to Ranitovac village, which earned them the gratitude of the local Albanian community. In addition, the military has built a road to a local mosque in South Serbia in the village of Ilince.

Unexploded Missile Cleanup

161 depleted uranium missiles have been recovered in southern Serbia yet no recovery has been made in Kosovo due to the legal restrictions on the Serbian army. The missiles were left in Reljan, near Presevo after the 1999 NATO bombing campaign. During the 78-day air strikes on Serbia's predecessor Yugoslavia in 1999, the NATO dropped 31,000 missiles and bombs containing depleted uranium, a kind of radioactive toxic material that has been linked to Gulf War syndrome and spiraling levels of cancer and birth deformities in Iraq. In Kosovo, the NATO has identified some 112 sites where it acknowledges using depleted uranium munitions. NATO has not given the government in Belgrade a comprehensive list of the bombing sites. The army cleanup operation in Reljan cleared all of the 12 hectares of contaminated grounds within months. A total of 2.4 cubic meters of contaminated soil has also been collected and removed.The Serbian government has funded the cleanup operation in the Reljan site with 350,000 euros (450,000 U.S. dollars).

International Cooperation

Regional Initiatives

• Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe
• Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial Cooperation
• South East Europe Clearinghouse
• Participation of Serbian Armed Forces in United Nation peace missions

Peacekeeping operations

UN peacekeeping missions.

Serbia participates in peace operations under the UN auspices as observers or medical staff. Serbs are deployed in small numbers on a number of United Nations missions in the African Continent, including in Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia. The mission ONUB in Burundi has ended in 2007. The first Serbian military health corps was sent to Republic of Congo peacekeeping operation in March 2003, and its members are stationed in Kinshasa.

Current Mission	Organization	Country	Nr. of personnel
UNMIL	United Nations	Liberia	Six officers as military observers
UNOCI	United Nations	Côte d'Ivoire	Three officers as military observers
MONUC	United Nations	Democratic Republic of Congo	Two doctor-officers and four medical technicians

International Partners

China

• On November 5th 2008, China and Serbia have signed a a military cooperation agreement. This has marked the official establishment of bilateral regular military cooperation between these two nations. The main objective of the agreement is the enhancement of cooperation between the two defense ministries. Future projects could include military medical cooperation between the two countries.
• Two nations have underlined the traditional friendly ties between Serbia and China, as well as their common respect for the principles of international law.
• China has recently donated €500,000 for the development of Serbian Armed Forces.
• Serbia had helped China by providing tents for the population hit by the earthquake in Szechwan where 80,000 persons died.
• Many Serbian troops are being educated in China. By the end of the year several more Serbian Officers will have the opportunity to attend training programs in China. Also, Chinese troops are being educated in Serbia. Serbia offers the capacities of its Atomic Biological Nuclear Chemical Center in Krusevac, the Center for Peace Operations, and the educational capacities of its Military Academy. One Chinese officer is attending Military Medical Academy in Serbia. Two Chinese doctors have recently completed specialization training in the same facility.

Denmark

• Military cooperation between the two countries is satisfactory. Further training activities that will improve cooperation over civil-military relations, emergency situations, peace missions and military education, were discussed. Danish Deputy Permanent Secretary of State for Defense Kristian Fischer said that Denmark sees its military role in the semi-recognized republic of Kosovo, that is legally a part of Serbia, strictly within KFOR, that is, acting according to Resolution 1244 and international law.

France

External image
Serbian Army

• There is a special military tradition between France and Serbia. The tradition goes back to the First World War when the Serbs considered France their second home. This was because France saved thousands of Serbs from a sure death. They helped Serbian soldiers, woman and children to escape into Greek island of Corfu. Afterward, the Serbian army regrouped and joined the French in the Thessaloniki front.
• A draft of the agreement, that provides a base for military corporation, was handed to the French delegates in last 2008. The draft envisions military cooperation between the French and Serbian special forces.

Greece

• The Greek defense journal Peripolis Hellenic Defense has reported military Special Forces from both Greece and Serbia have been holding joint exercises near Niš. This is a continuation of previous military cooperation between the two governments. Greece and Serbia have a long history of cooperation. During the wars in Yugoslavia there were Greek volunteer units alongside Serbian units.

Hungary

• The first meeting between the Serbian Chief of the Armed Forces and his Hungarian counterpart was held during December 2008. The meeting was held in order to promote exchange of information and to open up the possibility of future cooperation.
• On December 18th 2008, Hungarian and Serbian delegation signed an bilateral military agreement that envisages joint training and an exchange of experiences regarding defence system reform and peacekeeping operations.

Israel

• Serbian Defense Minister Boris Tadic signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel in July 2003.
• The MoU facilitated joint training exercises, intelligence exchanges and arms sales between the two countries. Cooperation has always been at a high level even in 90's during the breakup of Yugoslavia.
• Serbian soldiers are expected to arrive soon in Israel for training to operate an Orbiter unmanned aircraft system to be supplied by Aeronautics Defense Systems for $700,000 and delivered soon after training is complete.

Italy

• Two Serbian Air Force cadets at the Italian Air Force Academy currently rank as top students.
• Italy has donated 600000 EUR worth of special equipment devices for detection and for destroying unexploded ordnance. The equipment will be used to clear areas studded with cluster bombs that were left after the Kosovo War. Italian Colonel De Vicentis stated his satisfaction with the fact that this donation has been realized which opens possibilities for future cooperation between the two ministries, especially in international missions. Italy is the first NATO member state, which has made such a gesture.
• Serbian military will share its pyro-technicians experience with their Italian colleagues.

Norway

• Norway helped Serbia to get its CREVAL certificate which confirms that Serbian military medical service is up to the international standard. Serbian Military gave over 800 free medical check-ups to the citizens of the largely Albanian Bujanovac municipality as part of its training for the exercise. Norway has also donated IT medical equipment worth over 40,000 Euro's for a military medical service training center in Niš.

Slovakia

• The prime ministers of Slovakia and Serbia have signed an agreement on military cemeteries and memorials. There are two cemeteries where Slovak soldiers are buried in Serbia and Slovakia also has two Serbian military cemeteries.

Romania

• Since 2006, Romania and Serbia have conducted over 20 joint land, naval and air force simulations.

United States

• The Serbian Army rescued 500 MIA American soldiers. For this action, Serb General Mihailović, has received the prestigious Legion of Merit medal.
• On July 28, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson flew the Serbian flag with the American flag in front of the White House. This was done in honor of the 14th anniversary of Operation Halyard and in honor of Serbian soldiers.
• In a meeting in Belgrade on October 20th, the top two military officers of the United States and Serbia agreed to seek greater cooperation between the two military's. U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen and Serbian Chief of Defense General Zdravko Ponos also agreed to continue to work together towards regional stability. The United States is committed to seeing Serbia become both a regional leader and an active, integrated member in Euro-Atlantic institutions. In recent years the US has also lifted its arms embargo on Serbia.
• A co-operational agreement has been signed between Serbia and Ohio. Both sides are looking to improve their armies by exchanging military theory, modernizing standards, exchanging medical support, training in simulation centers and public relations. 15 soldiers from the Serbian Armed Forces participated in the annual demonstration of NGO combat group training. Ohio National Guards' Commander General Gregory Wayt, leading a 40-member delegation visited Serbia in September 2008. They performed military simulation training that improve command, public relations, medicine, air force and special units capabilities of both armies. A total of 21 activities were realized in 2007 which makes the simulation training between Serbia and Ohio as the most successful that the US has engaged in from a total of 56 countries. The simulation training was attended by President Boris Tadic and US Ambassador to Serbia Cameron Munter.
• Serbian military students are attending the "most prestigious US military schools", the US Army War College and the United States Military Academy.

Russia

• Defense minister Dragan Šutanovac confirmed that Serbia plans to "Strengthening military relations with Russia". He has stated that "Majority of Serbian arms and equipment are of Russian origin and that it is only natural to choose Russia as foreign support in upgrading of present and buying new weapons."
• Serbia will send more of its officers to be trained in Russia.
• During the war in Kosovo, that happened in 1999, a South Ossetian named Albert Andijev came to Kosovo to fight alongside Serbs. Similarly, in 2008, a Serbian enlisted and fought alongside Russian troops in 2008 South Ossetia War .
• Russia will continue mine clearing operations until 2012 as part of humanitarian aid to the country, which was heavily bombed by NATO warplanes in 1999.

Turkey

• A group of students of the Turkey's Military Academy came to Serbia for a four-day visit to the Military Academy in Belgrade. This was organized with the aim of enabling the exchange of military experiences. The meeting also marked a start of cooperation between the two military academies with the aim of promoting military education and exchanging of experience.

Operational experience

Medieval Serbia
Serbian Army fought for the medieval Serbian kingdom and Empire

• Bulgarian-Serbian Wars
  • Battle of Velbazhd (1330)
• Serbian-Ottomans Wars
  • Battle of Stephaniana in (1344)
  • Battle of Maritsa in (1371)
  • Battle of Dubravnica in (1381)
  • Battle of Plocnik in (1386)
  • Battle of Bileća in (1388)
  • Battle of Kosovo in (1389)
  • Siege of Belgrade in (1456)

Modern Serbia
Serbian army fought for the reestablished Serbian Kingdom

• First Serbian Uprising (1804-1813)
  • Battle of Ivankovac (1805)
  • Battle of Mišar (1806)
  • Siege of Belgrade (1806)
  • Battle of Čegar (1809)
• Second Serbian Uprising (1815-1817)
• Serbian-Ottoman War (1876-1878)
• Serbo-Bulgarian War (1885)
• First Balkan War (1912-1913)
  • Battle of Kumanovo
  • Battle of Prilep
  • Battle of Bitola
  • Siege of Adrianople
  • Siege of Shkoder
• Second Balkan War (1913)
  • Battle of Bregalnica
  • Battle of Kalimantsi
• First World War (1914-1918)
  • Battle of Cer
  • Battle of Kolubara
  • Battle of Morava
  • Battle of Ovche Pole
  • Battle of Kosovo (1915)
  • Salonika front

See also

• Military of Serbia and Montenegro
• Yugoslav Army (FRY)
• Yugoslav Peoples Army
• Royal Yugoslav Army

External links

• Serbian Ministry of Defense
• Official Website