03.11.2014.

Military Technical Institute marked its 66th anniversary

Military Technical Institute has marked its 66th anniversary today. The ceremonial gathering was attended by Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic and associates, representatives of the General Staff of Serbia, Serbian defence industry and the Institute’s associate institutions.

The results of work of this institution were presented by Director Colonel Doc. Dr. Zoran Rajic. He stressed that there are 369 researches working at the MTI in seven research sectors and that three new armaments have been included into the Armed Forces’ arms – airplane “Lasta P2”, navigational informational system for vessels of the Riverine Flotilla and a 12,7mm machine gun mounted on M-84 tank. According to him, there are currently 38 developmental tasks, 15 research, 4 modernization and 58 functional tasks under way at MTI.

Addressing the guests, Minister Gasic stressed that MTI has always been a temple of knowledge and new ideas and that many generations of top researches have completed it and have developed most contemporary arms. That is why, as he pointed out, it is a unique scientific research institution in this part of Europe.

- The Military Technical Institute achieves admirable results, especially considering the fact that the countries that become only passive receivers of new technologies reach an unfavorable position in the global economic competition. The Ministry of Defence is aware of the significance of its development, and this is why we take measures to secure conditions for further progress, even with today’s difficult financial situation – Minister of Defence said.

Gasic added that the Ministry of Defence will continue financing projects and procuring equipment for laboratories and, according to its possibilities, creating conditions for bringing younger scientific research staff, because continuity is important for this field.

- We were proud when, at the “March of the Victorious” parade, we shown our arms, 70 percent of which had been created here at MTI. We were even prouder for the presented arms that are in the final stage of development and which will be included in the arms of the Armed Forces of Serbia in the next period – Minister Gasic stated.

At the end of the ceremonial gathering, Colonel Doc. Dr. Rajic handed “Arhimed” plaques to Prof. Dr. Slobodan Stupar, Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development and Atanas Paligoric. Letters of thanks were handed to the National Lottery of Serbia, “Sloboda” Cacak Company, TRZ Cacak and “Demetra RB” Company.

The ceremonial gathering ended with a play performed by Cultural Artistic Association “Prelo” from Veliko Selo and Slanac with the theme of the Great War – “Who is to explain it”.

MTI marks November 3 in memory of the same date in 1948 when the Military Technical Institute of the Yugoslav Army was founded.