BRDM-2

In an interview with "Novosti", he said that not everyone likes Belgrade's independent policy. However, thanks to its moderate stance, Serbia preserves socio-economic stability, implements large infrastructure projects, and strengthens its defense capacities.

Serbia's Defence Ministry told BIRN that it cannot provide information about the contractual conditions under which it is acquiring 30 modernised T-72 tanks from Russia - which officials have described as a donation - without getting Moscow's consent.

Bulgaria's Ministry of Defense announced that, on August 5, it had sent formal Requests for Proposals (RFP) to four companies invited to bid to supply armored infantry carriers. These four companies are ARTEC GmbH (Germany), Patria (Finland), Nexter Systems (France) and General Dynamics European Land Systems - MOWAG (Switzerland).

The Defense Ministry said that the Serbian military gets its biggest donations from Russia, following Blic writings about USA being its major donor (based on data on donations between 2014 and 2018).

The Serbian army will receive some 30 modernized Russian T-72 tanks next year. A Serbian military observer told Sputnik Serbia what the modern armor means for the Balkan country's defense capabilities.

The House of Representatives of the US Congress has adopted a measure demanding reports on Russian-Serbian cooperation, said a senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives Eliot Engel.

"The measure adopted by the House of Representatives today is part of the National Defense Act 2018", said Engel on Friday.

Serbian MiG-29 with pair of R-60 (AA-8 Aphid) missiles - Photo: Krasimir Grozev

The Bulgarian Defense Ministry has denied that it prevented the six MiG-29 warplanes that Russia has donated to Serbia from using its airspace.

MOSCOW - As a token of support, Russia will give Serbia six MiG-29 planes as a gift, and the three stages of upgrading them will cost us 180-230 mln euros, PM Aleksandar Vucic said after a meeting with Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu Wednesday, Sputnik reported.

If you calculate the costs of buying such planes, you will see they would cost us around 600 mln euros, he said.

MOSCOW - As a token of support, Russia will give Serbia six MiG-29 planes as a gift, and the first stage of upgrading them will cost us 180-230 mln euros, PM Aleksandar Vucic said after a meeting with Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu Wednesday, Sputnik reported.

If you calculate the costs of buying such planes, you will see they would cost us around 600 mln euros, he said.