29.10.2013.

Visit to the Special Brigade and River Flotilla

Defence ministers of Serbia and Croatia Nebojsa Rodic and Ante Kotromanovic visited today the Special Brigade in Pancevo. At the "Rastko Nemanjic" barracks they were welcomed by the Army Commander, Lieutenant General Aleksandar Zivkovic, and Special Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Ilija Todorov.

The guests from Croatia had the opportunity to learn about the purpose, organizational and formational structure and segments of the training of that elite unit of the Serbian Armed Forces. Brigadier General Todorov, as the host, presented the part of the weaponry and equipment at the disposal of units, and the members of the Anti-Terrorist battalion showed the skills of accurate use of firearms in close combat.

The teams of the Special Brigade demonstrated to the Croatian Minister the possibilities for anti-terrorism and anti-subversion operations in urban and rural environment, training in martial arts, and members of the 63rd Parachute Battalion performed a combat jump.

After the Special Brigade, ministers Rodic and Kotromanovic visited units of the River Flotilla in Novi Sad.

From the flagship "Sabac" of the 1st River Detachment, which sailed out from the Belgrade Quay on the Danube River to Belgrade, accompanied by a river patrol boat and river minesweeper towards1258 kilometre waterway, the defence ministers of the two countries followed part of operational capabilities of the River Flotilla with engagement of minesweepers, river patrol boats, amphibious boats and scaffolds from the composition of the 1st and 2nd River Detachment, 2nd pontoneer battalion and 93rd diving company. Sequences of mine operations, river raid, search and rescue, and mine operations of divers were demonstrated on the water. The demonstration of the manoeuvring capabilities of the amphibious assault boats and ships parade was also arranged.

Demonstration of the operational capabilities was commanded by Colonel Andrija Andric, the River Flotilla Commander.

- I wish to thank the Minister of Defence of Serbia and all the members of the armed forces of the Republic of Serbia on what they demonstrated to us and what we saw in the Special Brigade and River Flotilla. The demonstrated sequences of exercises were conducted very well. I saw good practice, what I also highlighted to the members of the Special Brigade – Minister Kotromanovic said, adding that the joint cooperation will continue in the future in Croatia and Serbia.