© Reuters. Soldiers of the Serbian Army stand near China’s FK-3 medium-range missile system, the latest weapon received by the Serbian Army, during a demonstration of the Serbian Army’s air defense capabilities, “Shield 2022”, at the military airfield “Colonel-pilot Milenko
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BATAJNICA, Serbia (Reuters) – Serbia on Saturday showed off new Chinese-made surface-to-air missiles and other military assets purchased from both Russia and the West, as it sought to make a move. delicate balance against Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Members of the public and the media were invited to the display at the Batajnica military airport near Belgrade, where Chinese and French missiles were lined up alongside Airbus helicopters and space drones. Chinese site and Russian MIG-29 jet. Serbia is struggling to balance its partnership with NATO and looks forward to joining the European Union with its centuries-old religious, ethnic and political alliance with Russia.
The Chinese FK-3 air defense system, similar to the Russian S-300 or the American Patriot system, was purchased by Belgrade in 2019 and delivered earlier this month.
Serbia is currently the only European country to operate Chinese missile systems and CH-92A combat drones. President Aleksandar Vucic toured Saturday’s performance with military commanders and watched an aerobatic show with Russian-funded overhauled MIG-29 jets in 2017. I am proud of the Serbian army, I am proud of a great progress,” Vucic told a news conference.
“We will significantly increase our combat air force … Serbia is a neutral country and Serbia must find solutions that will allow it to preserve its skies and its status.”
The delivery of the FK-3 missile system has prompted some Western countries, including Germany, to warn Belgrade that the Balkan country wants the Balkan country to adjust its foreign policy with the EU if it wants to become a member. pellets. Belgrade has voted against Russia three times at the United Nations but has no longer imposed sanctions on the country. Serbia’s military is based on technology from the former Soviet Union and Russia is one of its main suppliers. Belgrade is also dependent on oil supplies from Russia. Vucic said Serbia is expected to buy 12 Rafale multirole fighter jets from France by the end of the year or early next year, a move seen by political analysts as a sign that Belgrade is moving away from Russia.
He said Serbia is also in talks to buy 12 Typhoon fighter jets from the UK.
