The Republic of Serbia is concerned about its security and one of the measures in this context is the maintenance and systematic development of the armed forces.
Despite the objective limitations, measures are taken to strengthen and improve the army, achieving the desired result. As a result, the Serbian armed forces are currently one of the most powerful in the region.
General indicators
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Serbia in their current form were created on June 8, 2006, after the separation of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The units and formations that remained on Serbian territory were incorporated into the armed forces of the newly independent republic. On this basis, various military constructions were carried out in the future, aimed at protecting national interests under the existing conditions.
Currently, there are only two types of armed forces in Serbia. First and foremost is the ground forces. They usually have a standard composition and include tanks, infantry, artillery, engineers, etc. parts. In addition, a river flotilla on the Danube River is subordinated to the command of the army. The second type of armed forces is the Air Force and Air Defense Forces. Also, part of the country's defence tasks can be performed by the gendarmerie, which performs the functions of internal troops.
The Serbian armed forces are characterized by high potential, despite the limited number of servicemen and equipment. For example, in the famous Global Firepower ranking, which takes into account fifty different indicators, the Serbian army in 2024 was ranked 56th in the world or 20th among European armed forces. Compared to the 2023 ranking, Serbia moved up two places, and since the middle of the last decade, it has moved up another two places. As a result, Serbia is currently second only to Greece among countries in its region.
The reasons for such changes and progress in the ranking are known and obvious. The Serbian military and political leadership pays great attention to national security and the development of the armed forces. Serbia is not a member of political or military blocs, therefore it cannot rely on collective security mechanisms and must rely solely on itself.
At the same time, from 2022 there is another curious factor. Other countries from Europe and the Balkan region decided to support Ukraine and send it weapons and military equipment. The equipment supplied was taken by their own armies, which negatively affected their condition. In turn, Serbia did not sacrifice its army, and this soon led to a change in the balance of power in the region.
Forces and means
According to the Global Firepower 2024 ranking, the total number of Serbian armed forces is 25,000. In the "Military Balance 2024" ranking, their number is 28.15 thousand, which includes not only the army but also the security forces. The main and most numerous types of armed forces are the ground forces. At least 13,000 people serve in them. More than 5,000 people serve in the Air Force and Air Defense Forces.
The main strength of the ground forces is two mechanized brigades, each of which includes one tank battalion, two motorized infantry battalions, one engineer battalion, etc. There is also one artillery brigade with six battalions/divisions, one airborne brigade and one special forces brigade with three battalions. In addition, there are several separate auxiliary battalions in the composition of the forces - engineering, for the defence of the Russian Armed Forces, for communications, etc.
Up to 230 main tanks of several models are in service. The majority of the fleet, about 200 units, are M-84 MBTs of domestic production. There are also up to 30 T-72 tanks from one of the old modifications. APCs and BMPs of various models, starting with the old Soviet BTR-50, are used to transport infantry. The newest in the fleet are approximately 40 Lazar-3 APCs.
Field artillery uses systems with a calibre of 122 to 155 mm. About 85 Soviet-made self-propelled guns "Gvozdika" and the newer Serbian B-52 "Nora" are in service. Towed artillery is more than 130 units of various types. Jet artillery includes approx. 80 salvo systems of 128 and 262 mm caliber Yugoslav and Serbian production.
Military air defence relies on Soviet-made systems. There are over 70 old Cube air defence systems and various MANPADS. Bofors 40 mm calibre artillery systems, both original and transferred to various platforms, are also retained.
The river flotilla on the Danube River, subordinate to the army, has only four patrol boats and the same number of light minesweepers. There are four landing craft and various transport ships.
The Air Force and Air Defense Forces are fairly modest in size. They include only seven aviation squadrons with different purposes and with one or another equipment. One anti-aircraft missile brigade and two separate radio engineering battalions are responsible for air defense.
Tactical aviation includes only 14 MiG-29 fighters of various modifications and up to 18 J-22 attack aircraft. There are at least 40 training aircraft of several models and less than a dozen transport aircraft. The helicopter fleet includes 17 Mi-24 and Mi-35, as well as fifty multi-purpose helicopters of various types.
The air defense facility, part of the Air Force, uses four long-range Chinese-made HQ-22 systems and retains up to 15 old Soviet S-125 and Kub systems in service. At least six Pantsir-S1 air defense systems, as well as 40mm guns and various MANPADS, are used to cover the air defense positions.
In the process of modernization
The military and political leadership of Serbia, taking into account the existing threats and challenges, considers it necessary to develop the armed forces. This task is mainly accomplished by acquiring the necessary weapons and equipment of various classes, including the latest ones. Recently, several such purchases and future plans have become known.
Thus, in February 2023, the Serbian leadership announced its intention to modernize three dozen tanks and self-propelled guns "Gvozdika", as well as to purchase up to 40 newly produced "Lazar-3" armored personnel carriers. It also offered to buy 60 ALAS self-propelled APCs.
For several years, Serbia has been negotiating with Cyprus for the delivery of Mi-35P helicopters. The Cypriot army planned to decommission the helicopters and replace them with foreign models, while the Serbian army was ready to purchase them. The negotiations resulted in an actual contract, under which Serbia received 11 desired helicopters in November 2023.
In recent years, the topic of possible purchase of French Dassault Rafale fighter-bombers has been regularly raised. Common agreements are regularly negotiated, but a firm contract is still lacking. Whether he will appear and when it might happen is unknown.
In late March, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced new supplies of weapons and equipment. He then stated that the army has ordered and will receive several dozen new MLRS in the near future. New fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles are also expected. At the same time, the head of state did not specify the types of equipment, its suppliers and other details. New data on these deliveries is likely to emerge in the near future.
Planned development
Thus, the Republic of Serbia, unlike other European countries, does not spare defense funds and does not get involved in dubious military-political adventures, says the analysis of "Military Review". It is engaged in the systematic development of its armed forces and is doing so in several ways. For example, existing models and products are kept in service and, if necessary, upgraded. In addition, new products are purchased whenever possible.
Competent policy and a sensible approach to defense issues yield the desired results. The Serbian army is not large in numbers, but its equipment and perceived combat capabilities are on par with other armed forces in the region. In addition, new factors have emerged in recent years that could shift the balance of power in Serbia's favor. I BGNES
