25.09.2026.
Minister Gašić converses with cadets and military school students
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić today conversed with the cadets of the Military Academy and the Military Medical Academy’s Faculty of Medicine and military schools students about the development of military education and living and working conditions within military schools.
At the beginning of the conversation, the Minister of Defence emphasised that key priorities for the Ministry of Defence were the further strengthening of military education and attracting young people to the Military Academy, the Military Grammar School, and the Secondary Vocational Military School, with current students and cadets serving as the best ambassadors for these institutions.Minister Gašić said that the goal was to increase the number of students and cadets enrolled in military schools, with plans to expand intake each year to ensure a sufficient supply of capable personnel for the Serbian Armed Forces. It was noted that military education in Serbia had a long tradition spanning 175 years and was also recognised by partner nations, as demonstrated by the growing interest of foreign countries in sending personnel to train in Serbia.
During the conversation, it was highlighted that the incomes of Serbian Armed Forces personnel were much higher today than during his first term as Minister of Defence, reflecting the great effort and progress achieved over the past years.
The Minister of Defence reminisced about his time serving in the military in Bela Crkva and Bačka Topola, saying that he had fond memories of the time spent in the military and the people he served with. In response to cadets’ questions regarding his view of the role of young officers in training for the use of state-of-the-art weapons systems and military equipment currently being supplied to the Serbian Armed Forces, Minister Gašić emphasised that technology, techniques and methods of warfare were rapidly changing. Consequently, he noted, increased and accelerated efforts were required in both training and knowledge acquisition.
He said that young officers should progress through all the levels in the Serbian Armed Forces, from the lowest to the highest, to learn how to work with people and operate new weapons and equipment, after which they would return to the Military Academy as teachers to new generations of cadets.
Commenting on the domestic defence industry’s ability to meet the needs of the Serbian Armed Forces, the Minister of Defence said that the domestic defence industry, supported by the state, was rapidly restoring and developing, while the Military Technical Institute and Jugoimport-SDPR were working intensively to strengthen their capacities. He emphasised that the defence budget was much bigger today than in previous years, and that intensive work was being done to enhance the defence system’s infrastructure throughout Serbia, particularly with regard to the refurbishment of barracks where conscripts would be housed during their military service.
Minister Gašić highlighted continuous effort, learning and ongoing professional development as his primary advice to future officers of the Serbian Armed Forces, adding that no one could take away the knowledge they had acquired.
Following Minister Gašić’s conversation with cadets, the Commandant of the Military Academy, Major General Željko Furundžić presented him with a plaque in recognition of his continuous support and contribution to improving living and working conditions at the Military Academy.
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VIDEOGALLERY25.09.2026
mp4 (158,57 MB)Conversation with cadets and military school students
