23.06.2015.
The Armaments and Military Equipment Fair "Partner 2015� opened
The 7th International Armaments and Military Equipment Fair "Partner 2015" has opened in Belgrade today at the Belgrade Fair, under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence and Yugoimport SDPR and was organized by the Belgrade Fair.The Fair was opened by Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic who particularly greeted the representatives of the delegations of 20 countries and exhibitors that, having recognized the importance of the Fair, contributed to the quality of the manifestation with their attendance, giving it an international character.
Gasic said that the MoD staff was proud of the fact that the Partner had marked continued growth in the number of exhibitioners and the size of exhibition space, and in the number and rank of the official delegations, which gave it the position of similar manifestations in the region.
- The Ministry of Defence, which on behalf of the Serbian Government coordinates the work of the defence industry, invests significant efforts to increase the competitiveness of the Serbian defence industry in order to retain the current positions, and to approach new markets – Minister Gasic said.
He reminded that, in the period between two Fairs, upon the initiative of the Ministry of Defence in 2013, the Administrative Arrangement had been signed with the European Defence Agency which created conditions for a more active engagement of our research development and production capacities in EU defence industry. Several bilateral agreements had been signed, with particular emphasis on the military technical cooperation with the Russian Federation.- I am sending the message that we are fully open for all forms of cooperation in the field – from education to research development, to joint appearance on the market of third-world countries – Minister of Defence stated.
He also stressed that, through the Individual Action Plan, Serbia had continued the cooperation with NATO in the field of armament. Significant improvement has been noted in the implementation of the NCS codification system, which is used today in 60 countries around the world, which has created conditions for products of the defence industry with RS codification label to become visible for a wider specter of users.
- The Serbian defense industry, with a 161-year long tradition, has been and will continue to be an important driver of the country's technological development. Recognizing its importance, the Serbian Government will provide concrete support in the next period with the goal of supporting the development of competitiveness of the defence industry and securing new markets – Minister Gasic said.
The participation of SDPR Yugoimport at the Fair was discussed by General Director Jugoslav Petkovic, on behalf of the co-organizers of the Partner Fair. He said that the company had transformed from a military equipment trading company to its largest producer in this part of Europe. He stressed that Yugoimport had ended the fourth stage of equipping of their factory of complex combat systems, and that, for the first time in its history, starting from July, Serbia would begin the production of artillery barrels of all calibers. Bringing their production capacities to Valjevo reestablished the production of unguided missiles and artillery projectiles of large caliber. He was glad to inform the attendees that the construction of their factory of firing ammunition in Uzice near Pozega had started, and that the beginning of production is expected in the last part of next year.
Petkovic said that, at this Fair, Yugoimport presented for the first time four of their products – Sova four-seat aircraft, combat patrol boat, mobile radar of 15km reach with solid state technology, unguided missile air-land M50 128mm caliber, with great destruction power.
He stressed that the capacities of Serbian defence industry factories were filled by the end of the year and that this year’s gains of Yugoimport would be among the largest in the history of the company.
Minister Gasic and Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic, with collegium members and foreign military representatives, then visited the Fair stands and learned about the scientific technical and overhaul capacities of the Serbian Defence Ministry, and achievements in production and services at the stands of presenters of national and international military industry.The opening of the Fair was attended by Minister of Defence of Iraq, and during the day, the Fair was visited by Minister of Defence Industry of Pakistan, Deputy Director of Federal Service for Military Technical Cooperation from the Russian Federation, Director of the Directorate for Military Production of Algeria and Director of the Acquisition Department from the United Arab Emirates.
The Fair features scientific research, development, overhaul and following institutions of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, producers of arms and military equipment from Serbia and abroad, trade and representative institutions. This year’s Fair gathered the recording number of exhibitioners – 116, 92 national and 24 foreign. They will present in halls 1 and 4 and in open space of the Belgrade Fair.
The program of the 7th Fair of Armament and Military Equipment, which lasts until 26th June, also features a rich expert follow-up program.
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