15.03.2022.

Minister Stefanović visits SAF units in Kraljevo garrison

Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović, PhD, visited members of the 98th Air Brigade at the “Morava” military airport and the Second Army Brigade in Kraljevo.

After inspecting the construction of new hangars for the storage of aircraft and attending the flight training, Minister Stefanović expressed his satisfaction at the 98th Air Brigade’s ability to fulfil all assigned tasks.

"We have the opportunity to see the continuation of pilot training, and the pilots who will be flying Eagles, Gammas and Mi-35 helicopters today, will show us what they know and how they train to protect their country. I am glad that these committed and brave people also make sure that aircraft maintenance is carried out every day. I’ve had the opportunity to see how much effort and energy is put into keeping all our planes and helicopters ready for use at any time. All our recent procurements, along with the renewal of our aircraft fleet, have obviously given concrete results and have gone to the right hands," said Minister Stefanović.

According to the Minister, the new hangars are the first structures that are being built at the airport in Lađevci since 1987.

- We are starting extensive infrastructure building projects and we are planning to build two new hangars that will be used for the storage of state-of-the-art helicopters and equipment and, of course, for aircraft maintenance. I want to thank these people because they do not only care about themselves, but, every time we talk, they always want to know how the situation in the armed forces can be improved, how the state of our technology can be improved and how our capability to protect our country can be enhanced - said the Minister of Defence.

He thanked them for dedicating their lives and careers to our country and our armed forces.

- I hope that in the future we will be able to thank them by raising their salaries, and providing them with apartments that we continue to build here in Kraljevo, but also by investing in new technology, equipment and aircraft – said the Minister.

The Minister of Defence was welcomed at the “Morava” military airport by Deputy Air Force and Air Defence Commander, Brigadier General Željko Bilić, and he was briefed about the progress of the new hangar construction by 98th Air Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Zoran Prodanović.

After the visit to the new hangar construction site, members of the 98th Air Brigade demonstrated a part of the flight training, including the Eagle aircraft and Mi-35M, Gamma and H-145M helicopter crews’ training for conducting live fire drills at the "Pasuljanske livade" range, and for carrying out regular tasks using remotely piloted CH-92 A aircraft.

Later, Minister Stefanović visited members of the Second Army Brigade in the “Ribnica” barracks.

According to him, the barracks in Kraljevo are a clear example of a successful and responsible investment in the renovation of facilities and procurement of new equipment, which will be continued.

"Some of the new equipment was donated by the People's Republic of China, and some is the product of domestic intelligence, the Military Technical Institute and our factories. I am glad that the Second Brigade successfully conducts training and uses new equipment, because it is very important that what our domestic intelligence produces is put to good use by our soldiers”, said Minister Stefanović.

According to the Minister, the task remains for us to develop and use as much domestic weapons and equipment as possible.

"To show, by developing unmanned vehicles, drones and other equipment, that our defence industry has great potential, and that our armed forces can use it in the best way. Here, in the barracks in Ribnica, I’ve had the opportunity to see that work performance and capabilities have been significantly increased, and I hope that this will continue in the future," said Minister Stefanović, thanking the Second Brigade and the entire Army for their dedicated work.

The Minister of Defence visited the display of weapons and military equipment which are part of the 1500 Project in the barracks in Ribnica, modern engineering equipment, and renovated housing facilities for unit members.

During the visit, Colonel Siniša Stašević, Second Brigade Commander, briefed Minister Stefanović about the situation in the unit, and the Army Command Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Željko Tramošljika, accompanied the Minister on his visit.

The units in Kraljevo were also visited by the Head of the Defence Minister’s Office, Colonel Stevan Kotarlić, and the Head of the Infrastructure Department, Colonel Slobodan Starčević.