President Vucic: The West prevents Serbia from buying weapons in the East and delays deliveries
The Western countries are hindering the supply of weapons that Serbia bought in the East, and at the same time, they are delaying the receipt of weapons that they themselves have purchased, stated Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.
The “Maneuvers 2022” stage of live-fire exercises is underway at the Pasuljanske Livade training range in southeastern Serbia, with the participation of professional military and reservists. Vucic especially praised the Kornet anti-tank missile systems purchased from Russia after the target was hit by the combat ammunition.
“You have seen some of our weapons and what we put into service, which is not always easy. Especially working on UAVs, their armament, we are in a specific situation, so we held a meeting, we have to produce everything ourselves,” Vucic told the audience.
“We have nowhere else to bring in, even what we pay for in the West is not delivered for two years and they don’t care, and what we paid for in the East cannot come to us because no one misses. We all have such good friends and brothers that Serbia cannot have weapons and has to produce both guns and ammunition itself,” the Serbian leader pointed out.
Serbia is the largest importer of Russian arms and military equipment in Europe. In 2022-2023, Belgrade planned to buy four Mi-35s, three Mi-17s, as well as 11 Mi-35s used in Cyprus.
In December 2021, the Russian-built Kornet anti-tank guided missile systems arrived in the country. Over the past few years Russia gave Serbia 30 upgraded T-72MS tanks, 30 BRDM-2 armored vehicles, seven Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters and six MiG-29 fighters. Belgrade also acquired a battery of Pantsir-S1 missile and cannon systems. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated that the country wants to have a Russian S-400 system, but cannot afford it yet.
