24.07.2025.
Force protection unit ready for deployment to UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon
A three-day tactical exercise, Serbian Shied Z22, has been conducted in Base South and the Borovac Training Area to assess the readiness and interoperability of the force protection platoon, assigned from the Training Command, and to confirm the unit’s preparedness for deployment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
During the exercise, unit personnel executed tactical tasks designed to simulate scenarios likely to be encountered in the mission area. A team from the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff closely monitored and evaluated the coordination of actions, execution accuracy, and adherence to international operational readiness standards required for deployment.As stated by the platoon commander, Captain First Class Đorđe Kričak, the unit will be deployed to the mission’s Sector West.
— The primary task assigned to the unit is to secure Base 1-26, where the Italian contingent is stationed. The unit must also be prepared to secure the base and ensure the safety of events held within the base, establish and man observation posts, provide response to incident sites, and effectively respond to threats such as unexploded ordnance (UXO) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The Serbian Armed Forces’ force protection platoon conducts continuous, 24-hour security operations at the base and is deployed to the area of operations for a provisional period of six months, emphasized Captain First Class Kričak. He further stated that the unit’s deployment to Lebanon is scheduled for early September. Based on the results achieved during the exercise, the evaluation team concluded that the force protection platoon has met all required operational standards. The unit is assessed as fully trained, properly equipped, and operationally ready for deployment and engagement in UNIFIL’s area of operations.
The Serbian Armed Forces have been contributing personnel to this United Nations operation since 2014. At present, our contingent engaged in peacekeeping duties in Lebanon consists of an infantry company, staff officers and a group of specialists responsible for providing support to our contingent. 
PHOTOGALLERY
VIDEOGALLERY24.07.2025
mp4 (72,07 MB)The exercise
