Serbia’s Minister of Defense, Miloš Vučević, voiced his apprehension regarding Pristina’s acquisition of Javelin anti-tank missiles, emphasizing that any military assets obtained by the Albanians in Kosovo pose a threat to Serbia.
“In the United States, all necessary procedures have been completed, approving the purchase of ‘Javelin’ missiles. When combined with prior supplies from Turkey, contributions from the USA, Germany, Croatia, and ongoing British involvement in training, it is evident that certain NATO member countries are directly engaged in supporting Kosovo. This raises concerns for Serbia,” cautioned Minister Vučević in an interview with TV Prva.
He underscored that criticisms aimed at Serbia regarding its significant investments in its armed forces, especially given its proximity to NATO member states, are overly simplistic and may even be part of a psychological campaign designed to prevent discouragement and render efforts meaningless.
Minister Vučević emphasized that the Serbian Armed Forces are not gearing up for war; on the contrary, they are focused on maintaining peace.
“We aspire to implement the ‘Leap into the Future’ program, for which peace is a prerequisite, not conflict. The military’s role is not to seek war; it serves as a guarantor of peace and protector of freedom. We aim to prevent Serbia from becoming prey for any predatory force,” Vučević asserted.
He noted that Serbia, as a responsible nation, contemplates its response to developments in other countries, particularly in Kosovo, regarding potential violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. He pointed out that Croatia is also arming itself and dispatching armoured vehicles to Beli Manastir.
Additionally, Vučević announced that a regular meeting on the annual report concerning the state of the Serbian Armed Forces will take place on January 30. This meeting will include the President of the Republic and the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Armed Forces. They will review achievements and define goals and objectives for the upcoming period.
Regarding the proposal for the reinstatement of compulsory military service in Serbia, the minister expressed confidence that a decision on this matter could be reached within the year. He affirmed the steadfast commitment of the Ministry and the Serbian Armed Forces to this initiative.
