Vucic: If Serbia were subjected to aggression, the enemy would suffer extremely heavy losses

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said today, during a presentation of new and modernized equipment and systems of the Serbian Armed Forces, that the military is becoming stronger every day and that, should Serbia come under attack, any aggressor would suffer extremely heavy losses.

Vucic also extended Vidovdan greetings to the citizens of Serbia.

"I congratulate the citizens of Serbia and all Serbs, wherever they may live, on today's holiday. Happy Vidovdan. Our citizens can feel calm and secure—our armed forces are becoming stronger and stronger every day. Today you had the opportunity to see a system that we received just a few days ago. We will be capable of protecting and defending our country. If Serbia were subjected to an attack or aggression, the enemy's losses would be extraordinarily high. Very few countries in the world would dare attack such a well-armed nation," Vucic said.

Speaking at the "Colonel-Pilot Milenko Pavlovic" Military Air Base in Batajnica, Vucic was asked what reactions he expected following the display of military equipment. He replied that the Serbian Armed Forces are prepared solely for the defense of the country.

He stressed that the Serbian military will continue to grow stronger.

"We will continue to become stronger. Will everyone like that? Certainly not. It would be unrealistic to expect everyone to approve, but what matters to me is what the citizens of Serbia want. The citizens of Serbia want to feel safe. I am not concerned with what others think," Vucic said.

He added that he was pleased with the equipment presented during the display.

Among the systems showcased at the Batajnica air base was the L-18 MiG-29 fighter-interceptor aircraft, equipped with a range of air-to-ground precision-guided munitions, including television-guided bombs and television-guided missiles.

The display also featured the CM-400 missile, a Chinese-made quasi-ballistic missile, which Vucic described as expensive but confirmed that additional units are being procured.

Also presented was the LS-6 glide-guided bomb, another Chinese-made medium-range precision munition that primarily identifies targets based on visual contrast. It is designed to destroy large fortified positions, runways, and vehicle columns, and, according to the presentation, is difficult for most air defense systems to intercept.

The Serbian Armed Forces also possess A31 anti-radiation missiles with an operational range of approximately 100 to 130 kilometers.

"I am very pleased that, for the first time, we are displaying missiles, guided bombs, and other advanced weaponry. Previously, we only showcased artillery pieces and aircraft, and nothing beyond that," the Serbian president noted.

Vucic also announced that new Rafale fighter aircraft will soon arrive in Serbia and revealed that another procurement for the Serbian Armed Forces is planned, although he said he was not yet in a position to disclose further details.

He emphasized that it is important for Serbian pilots to accumulate as many flight hours as possible.

"Enrollment at the Military Academy has increased this year for the first time. I believe we now have a sufficient number of cadets, and we hope that number will continue to grow because we need qualified personnel. The Rafales are coming, along with other equipment that I cannot discuss at this time," Vucic said.

The display at the Batajnica air base also included domestically developed defense industry products, as well as modern Serbian military equipment, including MiG-29 and Orao aircraft armed with precision munitions, H145 helicopters, several unmanned aerial vehicles, rocket launchers, and infantry weapons.

Following the presentation in Batajnica, Vucic was scheduled to attend a live-fire demonstration of the showcased military systems at the Pasuljanske Livade military training range.