Western countries are preventing the supply of weapons that Serbia acquired in the East, while at the same time delaying the receipt of weapons purchased from themselves, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said.
⠀
At the Pasulyanske Livada training ground in southeastern Serbia, a stage of live-fire exercises “Maneuvers 2022” is taking place, with the participation of professional military and reservists. Vučić especially praised the Kornet anti-tank missile systems acquired in the Russian Federation after the defeat by the crew
⠀
“You saw some of our weapons and what we are putting into operation, which is not always easy. We are especially working on UAVs, their weapons, we are in a specific situation, so we held a meeting, we must produce everything ourselves,” Vucic told.
⠀
“We have nowhere else to bring, even what we pay for in the West, they don’t deliver for two years, and they don’t care, but what we paid for in the East cannot fly to us, because no one lets us through. such good friends and brothers that Serbia cannot have weapons and must produce both weapons and ammunition itself,” the Serbian leader said.
⠀
Serbia is the largest importer of Russian weapons and military equipment in Europe. In 2022-2023, Belgrade planned to buy four Mi-35s, three Mi-17s, and 11 used Mi-35s from Cyprus.
⠀
In December 2021, Kornet anti-tank systems purchased in the Russian Federation arrived in the country. Over the past few years, Russia has transferred to Serbia 30 modernized 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 gun systems. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said that the country wants to have the Russian S-400 complex, but cannot afford it yet.
