03.11.2022.
President Vučić at exercise Manoeuvres 2022: We have significantly improved our capabilities
President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić attended some of the activities carried out as part of joint exercise Manoeuvres 2022 on “Pasuljanske Livade” training ground today. The purpose of the activities was to assess the level of training of the 3rd Army Brigade Reserve. President Vučić, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Miloš Vučević and Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović, witnessed a high level of skill displayed by professional servicemen and members of the reserve in performing live firings using the infantry, artillery and armoured units’ weapons, as well as assets that are being developed by the Serbian Defence Industry.
Upon completion of exercise activities and a meeting with representatives of the defence industry, President Vučić praised members of the Serbian Armed Forces Reserve and told them that they had completed their tasks very well.- You have seen a part of the armament and assets that we are integrating into the system, which is not always easy and simple. Our main focus is on drones and arming the drones with weapons. We are in a delicate situation, because we have to produce the weapons ourselves, which was the reason for this meeting. We cannot bring in anything into our country anymore, even the equipment we paid for in the West two years ago has not been delivered yet. But they don’t care. And the things we have paid for in the East cannot be flown in, because no one will allow it. Our good friends and brothers... Serbia is the only country that can’t have weapons... Therefore, we have to take care of ourselves and produce enough weapons, equipment and ammunition. Our meeting was short but not so easy, and we will continue to hold meetings. By New Year’s time, we must have a complete inventory of assets in all the factories, and before that, we will only deal with the capital and the things that are supposed to improve our military industry – said President Vučić.
According to him, modernization is very important if we want to go beyond the scope of technology of the 80s and 90s.- We will invest much more, but I dare say that we have changed a lot and significantly improved our capabilities. Of course, I am never fully satisfied – said President Vučić.
Today, the President of the Republic visited several locations where the 3rd Army Brigade’s active duty and reserve members demonstrated segments of weapons training and successfully completed a series of firings. First, a rifle platoon fired from the "Lazar 3" armoured wheeled vehicle and MRAP 6X6. The next thing demonstrated was firing using the 7.9 mm M-76 semi-automatic sniper rifle, 7.62 mm M-84 machine gun, 12.7 mm M-93 long-range rifle and the 12.7 mm machine gun on a remotely controlled weapon station (DUBS). This was followed by a demonstration of a mechanized platoon manning a BVP M-80A infantry fighting vehicle firing a 20mm anti-aircraft gun and a 7.62mm machine gun, as well as firing performed by a crew operating a 30mm M93 (BGA) automatic grenade launcher. Next, the KORNET M anti-tank missile system crew and the M-84 tank platoon fired their weapons, and a platoon of 122mm GVOZDIKA self-propelled howitzers followed. At the last location, President Vučić observed the firing performed by a platoon of 120 mm M75 mortars using a modern fire control set.During the tour, Army Commander, Lieutenant General Milosav Simović and the 3rd Brigade Commander, Colonel Dragan Antić, told President Vučić that the reserve personnel had shown great discipline, determination, and a high level of training during live fire drills, and that they had completed all tasks, both in the garrison and on the training ground.
In a conversation with the exercise participants, President Vučić pointed out the importance of the reserve and said that a way should be found to reward the reservists who had responded to the call-up, for fulfilling their patriotic duties.- They should be given priority in getting employment with government institutions or some other advantages. We should find a way to reward those who have responded to the call-up - said President Vučić and thanked the reservists.
After the weapons display and live fire drills, President Vučić visited a static display of domestically produced weapons and military equipment, and then held a meeting with representatives of the defence industry.
The Serbian Armed Forces troops will be carrying out exercise activities as part of joint exercise Manoeuvres 2022 until November 6. The goal of these activities is to increase the ability of commands and units to plan and conduct operations and to assess the degree of readiness of the military to respond to challenges, risks and threats to the security of the Republic of Serbia. Part of the Serbian Armed Forces' reserve also participates in the exercise, and support is provided by members of the general and logistics services, which ensure continuous communication, airborne early warning, CBRN protection, transport, meals, ordnance replenishment, medical care and the proper functioning of military equipment.