24.11.2021.
Minister Stefanović inspects works at Loznica’s “Corporal Momčilo Gavrić“ barracks
Today, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša Stefanović, PhD inspected the infrastructure works in the "Corporal Momčilo Gavrić" barracks in Loznica, where the First Army Brigade’s 111th Infantry Battalion is based. On this occasion, Stefanović said that the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces intend to have a fully manned and modernly equipped infantry battalion in Loznica.
- If the state decides to reintroduce compulsory military service, one of the ideas is for some of the conscripts to be housed here. As you can see, major works, which are divided into several phases, are being carried out on this site. I am not perfectly satisfied and I told the Military Construction Institution staff and the contractors that I expect them to speed up the works. I think that the works can and must be carried out faster than they have so far. I understand that to some extent, the pace of work is slower due to procedures and the Covid situation, and some of the workers could not be fully involved, but after the construction of the HQ building is completed by pouring the slab and installing the panels, I expect the work inside to be done more quickly - said the Minister.He pointed out that the works in the “Corporal Momčilo Gavrić” barracks are an ambitious project.
- In addition to the HQ building, housing facilities, parade grounds, sentry boxes, fully renovated housing and storage facilities, we want to provide our soldiers with all the conditions that a modern barracks has - Stefanović added.
According to the Minister, the barracks in Loznica, as well as the barracks in Pirot where works are also being carried out, will be experimental.
- We want to show the citizens of Loznica that we are really counting on this area when it comes to the military. We want to enhance our capabilities in this area which has the military tradition, and to bring back what the state once had in the Loznica and Šabac area, i.e. we want all our military facilities fully operational. That is exactly why General Nasković and all the people working on this issue organize open competitions, because we want to attract new people to join the armed forces. Another increase in salaries, for which I am grateful to President Vučić, is another significant factor in that process - said the Minister.He notes that the procedures for applying for voluntary military service have been simplified.
- We have also provided higher salaries for soldiers performing voluntary military service and students attending the Reserve Officers’ Course, and we have also harmonized and simplified certain procedures, so that soldiers can apply for employment while still doing their six-month voluntary military service and be hired immediately afterwards - Stefanović emphasized.
Minister Stefanović expressed his satisfaction with the work done so far in the "Corporal Momčilo Gavrić" barracks and with the First Army Brigade’s maintenance of the ammunition storing facilities. He added that he expects the first phase of infrastructure works to be completed by the middle of next year at the latest.- In December, we are starting the second phase, which will provide the heating of premises, the kitchen area, i.e. enlisted personnel dining facility and two or three more housing facilities, depending on the needs assessment, in addition to a sentry box and checkpoints - the Minister explained.
According to Stefanović, this is serious investment, which means that the people carrying out the works are also serious. He expressed gratitude to the Military Construction Institution and State Secretary Branko Živanović for making the effort to get the work done better and faster.
- It is not an easy task, but we are improving our capabilities and we want to create the best possible conditions for our soldiers. If we decide to reintroduce compulsory military service, we want to show the future enlisted personnel that they will be provided with decent, humane conditions so that they can serve their country in the best possible way - underlined Minister Stefanović.The Minister of Defence, Nebojša Stefanović, was welcomed by the Commander of the First Army Brigade, Brigadier General Zoran Nasković, and Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Jovanović, Commander of the 111th Infantry Battalion. The Minister was accompanied on his visit by State Secretary Branko Živanović, Head of the General Staff’s Logistics Department, Brigadier General Srđan Petković, Head of the Material Resources Sector’s Infrastructure Department Colonel Slobodan Starčević and Director of the "Belgrade" Military Construction Institution Aleksandar Novković.
