The Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) are the single unified defense force of the Republic of Serbia comprising of the Ground Force, the Navy and the Air Force. It was created by a decree of the National Assembly in accordance with the Constitution. This occurred on June 8, 2006, after the final collapse of Yugoslavia shortly after Montenegro declared independence. This was the final dissolution of the Yugoslav rule on the Army Forces. Subsequently, for the first time since 1918 Serbia succeeded in regaining full control of its Armed Forces.

The Serbian Armed Forces are subordinate to the orders of the democratic civilian authorities, the laws of the state and norms of human dignity.

The Serbian Armed Forces' objectives include:

Defending Serbia from armed foreign threats.
Providing aid in case of natural disasters and catastrophes.
Taking part in building and maintaining world peace.

General information

History

7th to 15th century
Many victories of the Medieval Serbian Army led to the formation of a powerful Serbian Empire.^[3]

18th century independence and statehood
Serbian Military role in its independence

Operational history

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

Modern Serbia
Serbian army fought for the reestablished Serbian Kingdom

Ideology

The Republic of Serbia has declared itself to be military neutral. The ideology is based on doctrine of Sweden, Switzerland, Finland or Austria. The country cannot enter military alliances without a civilian vote. The main duty of a neutral country is to abstain from war. Accordingly, the country is required to prepare itself in defending its neutrality. Consequently, Serbia has to do everything feasible to avert being drawn into wars.^[4]

Values

Template:Srpskavojska

The Serbian Armed Forces have a goal to defend the existence of Serbia, its independence and the security of the citizens and residents of the state.
The Serbian Armed Forces 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 Serbian Armed Forces 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 Serbian Armed Forces soldiers view their service 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 Serbia who act on the basis and in the framework of the authority given to them in accordance with army orders.

Structure

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

General Staff
It has 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 Miloje Miletić, in accordance with the basis of the organization, formation and development of the military and acts of the President Boris Tadic:

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.

The Serbian Land Force
The branch is segmented into: 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
The Air Force conducts, intelligence, security, liaison, informatics, nuclear-biological-chemical, air reconnaissance and reporting, geodetic, hydro meteorological and hydro-navigational and legal services.

Transformation

Strategic Defense Review is supplemental project that was established in 2006 in order to increase efficiency in the modernization process. One of the major pillars of this project is a revised plan for faster establishment of a volunteer armed force by 2010. A month after the signing of the bill, a 77% volunteer brigade consisting of 1748 soldiers was established. Two months after, 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 have undergone a modernization and reform program of its structure. The number of active personal was decreased and redundant branches were eliminated in an effort to reduce expenses, increase the maneuverability and response time. Another key reform objective is the process of moving to a completely professional force and abolishing conscription by 2010.

Mobile Equipment
The replacement of obsolete equipment is a dominant part of the reform protocol. A lot of the existing arsenal and equipment are composed from the Yugoslav era.

The Air Force was until recently the most neglected branch of the armed forces. The injection of capital has helped strengthen the youngest branch in the army. Serbia will acquire 24 to 30 new multi-role fighter aircraft to replace the aging MiG-21 squadron which is due to retire in 2010. A tender for the replacement will be announced in 2011 and completed by 2014.^[5] At present the air force has modernized MiG-29s. The air force will also modernize 15 G-4 Super Galeb's 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.

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.

Serbia has acquired Israeli made UAV's to meet current needs.

M-87 Orkan is a locally designed rocket system specifically designed for stoping an land based attack. The system fires missiles that are filled with anti-tank mines. Thus the system creates, within minutes, an mine field anywhere within the 50 km range.

Acquisition of trainer aircraft
Lasta 95 is the new trainer aircraft used for teaching new military pilots the fundamentals of airplane flying.^[6] This new model of the plane, Lasta 95, is symbolic because it will be the first airplane fully produced in Serbia in more than a decade. The airplane is equipped with modern equipment including GPS navigation. It has the capability of carrying air to air and air to surface rockets, cannons and bombs, that are used for training. This makes a transition to advanced military airplanes such as G-4 Super Galeb, Mig 29's easier for military pilots. Additionally, Lasta 95 provides relatively cheaper cost of flying hours. The plane is also relatively inexpensive if it's damaged or destroyed.

G-4M Super Galeb
The air force will modernize 15 G-4 Super Galebs to domestically produced G-4MD standard. G-4 is an educational/fighter aircraft. There was a tactical study done on the airplane, and it was found that the airplane is competent in modern operations. The tactical study results along with previous modernization plans were combined in a single modernization blueprint. Right now the Ministry of Defense is looking for a strategic partnership that will realize the proposals found in the blueprint. The work is expected to last a couple of years and will mainly focus on the modernization of the cockpit. The upgrades will include improvements in maneuvering, control of weaponry, laser guided weapons, and addition of virtual radars. In the world is customary for the pilots to spend 60% of training hours flying the actual airplane that they will use in combat. The other 40% of the training is done on the top-of-the-line airplanes which are expensive to fly. After the modernization G-4 will be an entirely new airplane, fully digitalized and modernized, with specifications that allow for training and possible military engagements. The modernization will allow the G-4 to be used until 2030 according to Gen.Kantanic.^[7]

Anti-aircraft systems
The anti-aircraft systems are well maintained and are "100% operational", as quoted by Gen.Kantanic. In the long-term the entire system will be replaced with modern medium altitude equipment. The current system relies on past generations technology which relies on terminal imaging. It proved effective in certain tasks during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia. Serbia was a part of the former [Federal Republic of Yugoslavia]]. Therefore the system will be "lightly modernized" which will not cost a lot yet will provide additional defense capabilities.^[8]

Radar system
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.^[9]

Cepotina military base
Work on the 35-hectare (86-acre) military base, began six years ago. It is located near the border with Kosovo and Macedonia some 5 kilometers southeast of the southern Serbian city of Bujanovac. Kosovo's ground security zone extends along 384 kilometers of the administration line and covers the area of total 1,920 square kilometers. Serbian Army controls that zone by the units of the Second, Third and Fourth brigade of the ground forces deployed at more than 20 camps and checkpoints.^[10] This is a relatively expensive task. As a consequence, the new army base will help in terms of costs and mobility improvements. The new system of border monitoring will be done from the office in Cepotin base with Israeli made UAV's.

Weapons of Mass Destruction

Serbia has no ambition in creating nuclear weapons and has 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. A number of facilities capable of supporting a nuclear program remain. The former Yugoslavia's main nuclear institute was the Vinca Institute near Belgrade.

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.^[11]

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.^[12]

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.^[13]

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.^[14]

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 was 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^[15]
Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial Cooperation^[16]
South East Europe Clearinghouse^[17]
Participation of Serbian Armed Forces in United Nation peace missions^[18]

Peacekeeping operations

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. Medical teams stationed in Congo, visited a local orphanage for kids who have lost parents because of AIDS. The teams donated food, money and basic supplies. ^[19]

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 5, 2008, China and Serbia have signed a military cooperation agreement. This has marked the official establishment of bilateral regular military cooperation between these two states. The main objective of the agreement is the enhancement of cooperation between the two defenses ministries.^[20] 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.^[21]
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. 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.^[22]

United Kingdom
On January 26th 2009, defense Minister Dragan Šutanovac and his British counterpart Bob Ainsworth signed an agreement on defense sector cooperation.^[23]

France

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.^[24]
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.^[25]

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.^[26]

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.^[27]
On December 18th 2008, Hungarian and Serbian delegation signed a bilateral military agreement that envisages joint training and an exchange of experiences regarding defence system reform and peacekeeping operations.^[28]

Iraq

On January 22nd 2009 Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and Serbian counterpart have pledged to strengthen ties. ^[29]
Military ties between Baghdad and Belgrade resumed in September 2006. Iraq has since baught $230m worth of weapons, ammunition, explosives, as well as 20 Lasta 95 basic trainer aircraft from Serbia for the re-development of the Iraqi Army. ^[30]

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. ^[31]

Italy

Serbia has had 130 years of military relations with Italy.^[32]
Two Serbian Air Force cadets at the Italian Air Force Academy currently rank as top students. ^[33]
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.^[34]

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.^[35] Norway has also donated IT medical equipment worth over 40,000 Euro's for a military medical service training center in Niš.

Portugal

On 13 February 2009, Defense Agreement has been signed in Belgrade on cooperation in defense and training.^[36]

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.^[37]

United States

The Serbian Army rescued 500 MIA American soldiers. For this action, Serb General Mihailović, has received the prestigious Legion of Merit medal.^[38]
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. ^[39]
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.^[40] 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^[41] 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 improves 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 .^[42]
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.^[43]

Turkey

Plan for bilateral military cooperation was signed on February 3rd 2009.^[44]
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.^[45]

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	1.921 billion USD (2008)^[1]
Percent of GDP	2.1% (2008)^[2]
Related articles
History	Military history of Serbia
Ranks	Serbian military ranks and insignia

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Serbian Armed Forces