Serbia shows off new Chinese missiles in display of military power -Breaking
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© Reuters. Soldiers from the Serbian Army stand next to the Chinese medium-range ballistic missile system FK-3. This was part of a demonstration by the Serbian Army’s air defense capabilities called “Shield 2022”. It took place at Milenko’s military airport, Colonel-pilot Milenko.2/5
BATAJNICA (Reuters) – Serbia displayed its newly-made Chinese surface-to-air missiles on Saturday. The country is trying to balance the delicate act of Russia’s invading Ukraine.
The public was invited along with the media to witness the military display at Batajnica near Belgrade. There, French and Chinese missiles stood alongside Airbus helicopters, Chinese-armed Drones, and Russian MIG-29 aircrafts. Serbia seeks to maintain a balance between NATO’s partnership and its aspirations for membership in the European Union, despite its long-standing religious, ethnic and politically allied relationship with Russia.
Belgrade received the Chinese FK-3 surface-to-air air defense system in early March 2019. It is similar to Russia’s S-300 system or America’s Patriot system.
Serbia currently operates the Chinese missile system as well as the CH-92A combat drones. Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia, toured the display Saturday flanked with military commanders. He also watched an aerobatics demonstration featuring MIG-29 aircrafts that were overhauled in 2017, donated by Russia. Vucic said, “I am proud of Serbian army and I am proud of great progress.”
We’re going significantly to strengthen our fighter aircraft force… Serbia is neutral and must find solutions to allow it to keep its skies and state.
Western countries including Germany warned Belgrade after the FK-3 missile was delivered that it would expect the Balkan nation to adopt a similar foreign policy to the EU in order to join the EU. While Belgrade has voted against Russia in three UN elections, the country did not vote for sanctions. Serbia’s military, which is loosely built on ex Soviet technology, has Russia as one of its primary suppliers. Belgrade also depends on oil supply from Russia. Vucic stated that Serbia plans to buy 12 Rafale fighter jets multipurpose from France before the end or beginning of next year. This is seen as an indication of Belgrade’s distancing from Russia.
According to him, Serbia was also in negotiations for 12 Typhoon combat planes from Britain.
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