Gasic: Modernization of armed forces - priority

BELGRADE - The modernization, improvement in military cooperation and diplomacy through various peacekeeping missions and rise in employees' living standard were the Serbian Armed Forces' priorities in the first 100 days of the government, Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic has said.

Gasic told International Radio Serbia that the rescue of flood-affected citizens and their property was "the priority above all priorities", and noted that in the process of alleviating the consequences of natural disasters all capacities of the Serbian military were put at citizens' disposal.

The defense minister said that the modernization of the Serbian military remains a priority as many resources are not only outdated in terms of technology, but also amortized in the last 12 years.

“We are speedily working on that in an effort to ensure that all branches of the armed forces-air forces, navy, infantry-are at a high level of capability, and have the full, sophisticated and advanced equipment,” the defense minister underscored.

Next year, when the base “South” is completed and when we secure necessary conditions for trainings like modern armies do, we expect that it will welcome a higher number of foreign troops, which will bring Serbia significant benefits, and not only financial ones, Gasic said.

He noted that, in the coming period, members of the Serbian Armed Forces will have major joint exercises, with American marines, and members of the Russian army.

The defense minister noted that, in the previous period, the Serbian Armed Forces tried to improve the social position of its employees who were granted over 800 apartments in the first 100 days of the government.

Photo Tanjug, S. Radovanovic...