Serbia MoD STEFANOVIĆ: “The Overall Relations between the Two Countries, Provide Opportunity and Room for the Advancement and Tailoring of Defence Cooperation in a Manner that Reflects Mutual Interests”
As we, Defence Turkey magazine made an exclusive interview with Serbia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ PhD during the Turkey official visits in October. Mr. STEFANOVIĆ has shared updated information about ministry of defence of Serbia structure, responsibilities, defence procurement process and national defence policy as well Turkey-Serbia military cooperation's.
Defence Turkey: Could you please provide some key facts about the Ministry of Defence of Serbia? Could you elaborate on the structure, responsibilities and number of personnel working at the Ministry?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: The Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia is responsible for the preparation of all elements of the defence system for deterrence and defence of the Republic of Serbia against all forms of armed threats. The minister of defence governs the work of the Ministry, whose primary task is to provide conditions and resources for building capacities of all defence elements and operational capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces. Our Ministry is organised by functions, and all the functions of the Ministry are directed towards the achievement of previously stated goals. It is organised by sectors, which are charged with managing the functions. Also, there are internal units within the Ministry of Defence that are responsible for activities of inspection, military health, public relations, intelligence and security, and military education, and there is also the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces. In relation to the number of personnel, particular attention is paid to the requirements for optimum manning and creation of conditions for the achievement of short-term, medium-term, and long-term goals. That is why the number of personnel of the Ministry of Defence is variable and flexible, and in this moment, I can say that the managing portion of the Ministry of Defence makes up 5% of the total strength of the Ministry of Defence and Serbian Armed Forces.
Defence Turkey: What can you tell us about the Serbian defence procurement process? Does Serbia undertake defence procurement through a centralized defence organization within the countrys Ministry of Defence or through a separate government organization as in Turkey?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: In the Republic of Serbia, the procurement process in the field of defence is carried out strictly in accordance with the Law on Public Procurement and internal regulations of the Ministry of Defence. In the Republic of Serbia, defence procurements are carried out centrally through the military organisation of the Ministry of Defence, but exceptionally, the procurement procedures are conducted by organisational units within the Ministry of Defence.
Defence Turkey: Decision making about arms procurement and deployment is a political process. Can you elaborate on the decision making (bidder and product selection) process that is applied in defence tenders / procurement in Serbia?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: Before a decision is made on arms procurement and delivery, the first thing to do is research the world market and the dominant aspects that are reflected in the operational needs of the military, the quality, price and provision of the supporting services. After the detailed analysis of the observed needs of the Armed Forces and the long-term defence system development program, the final decision on arms procurement is to be made by the Government. The Republic of Serbia is a militarily neutral state, which implies the procurement of arms through import from different states. It is also important to note that most of the assets in service in our armed forces are produced by our national industry.
Defence Turkey: What can you tell us about the national defence policy of Serbia?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: The global political and security situation is characterised by complexity and unpredictability, while aggravated relations of the most powerful and influential actors adversely affect other states as well and the pursuance of their national interests. Global strategic trends and the state of security at the global level are certainly determined by the security of all actors in international relations, including our country. Besides, we are approaching the end of 2021 still facing the COVID-19 pandemic that certainly affects the security sphere. Also, irregular migrations and terrorism remain topical issues, posing serious security threats that require cooperation of all countries for the purpose of providing adequate response. For Serbia, of course, the greatest security threat continues to be the unilaterally proclaimed independence of the so-called Kosovo. The Provisional Pristina institutions, by their unilateral moves, have been continuously making our southern province a source of instability, as well as an insecure and unpromising place for living for both Serbs and Albanians.
In the late 2019, the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia adopted the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Serbia and the Defence Strategy of the Republic of Serbia, thereby confirming our cooperative and integrated security approach. Our country is committed to respecting the obligations arising from the United Nations Charter, principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Helsinki Final Act and we particularly advocate for observing the international law and reaffirming the role of the UN and OSCE, as well as for creating effective mechanisms for preservation of global security. We believe that a cooperative approach to security and sharing common values, as well as the cooperation of national security systems, are vital for ensuring peace, stability and democratic development of the modern world states. Accordingly, we are oriented towards being a factor of peace and stability in our region and we make efforts to strengthen the cooperation with the surrounding countries, especially the states of the Western Balkans, so that together we could all make the region a better place to live for our peoples. The main foreign policy goal of Serbia is European integration, but our defence policy is also founded on military neutrality, which implies not joining military alliances that enable us to make decisions exclusively in the interest of our own people. Hence the Serbian Armed Forces, as a fundamental element of the defence system, together with other defence forces, play a key role in the protection of defence interests and achievement of defence policy objectives, which is why it is necessary to maintain a continuous process of development, equipping and enhancement of its capabilities.
Defence Turkey: What can you tell about Serbia’s 2021 defence budget, is it sufficient and can you elaborate on the budget targeted for 2022?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: Apportioned funds in the ongoing year, as well as those planned for 2022, have contributed and will contribute not only towards revitalizing the capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces for performing missions and tasks in defending the country, but also towards raising the living standard of the MoD and Serbian Armed Forces personnel. Namely, in the current year, the funds were provided for routine operations and development of the system of defence as well as the funds for building, provision and modernisation of sophisticated technical systems and scientific and research work, then for procurement of assets for equipping the Air Force and Air Defence with complex combat systems as well as for the participation of the Serbian Armed Forces in multinational operations and other activities. In addition, in the year 2021, the funds were allotted to the Ministry of Defence for the completion of the construction of COVID hospitals within the military compounds “Zemun ekonomija” and “Rasina” intended for hospitalisation and treatment of COVID-19 patients as well as for building a COVID hospital in Novi Sad and for the commencement of the construction of a vaccine factory in Zemun. On the other hand, we are satisfied with the projected budget for 2022 as the earmarked funds will contribute towards the continuation of the equipping and modernisation of arms and military equipment process, as well as towards the construction of military facilities and diminishing the adverse effects of COVID-19 which will altogether affect the enhancement of the operational and functional capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces. In the period to come, as it has been the case so far, our imperative will remain to raise the standard of living of Serbian Armed Forces personnel. In this year, their salaries have been increased twice, which is something that I, as the minister of defence, am rather satisfied with, and for which I am particularly grateful to President Aleksandar VUČIĆ and the Government, taking into consideration the difficult situation caused by COVID-19.
Defence Turkey: What projects do you have on modernisation of military equipment? Can you list Serbia’s most important procurement programs of and the envisaged time frame of realization?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: Equipping and modernisation projects for the needs of the Serbian Armed Forces are implemented in line with medium-term and long-term plans, and in accordance with the budget allocated for those purposes. The most significant projects for the modernisation of arms and military equipment assets refer to the modernisation of fighter and fighter-bomber aviation, armoured assets, artillery systems and smart artillery ammunition, short and medium range Air Defence systems, reconnaissance systems, fire management systems, optoelectronic systems, non-guided and guided missiles, infantry ammunition... The intention of the Ministry of Defence is to implement the projects for the modernisation of arms and military equipment primarily in national development and production capacities, whereat the components and sensors installed in the said systems are procured from leading world manufacturers if it is not possible to develop them by our own means. We particularly point out that through the modernisation projects, the Serbian Armed Forces are equipped with the systems of arms and military equipment capable of precise engagement against targets at significantly greater distances/heights, in all weather conditions by day and night. When it comes to equipping projects, owing to considerable investments aimed at enhancing capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces, several important capital projects for equipping were implemented and some are ongoing, more precisely procurement of fighter planes, combat, transport and multipurpose helicopters, short range AD systems, modernised armoured assets, reconnaissance systems...
Defence Turkey: What is the domestic defence industry like at the current moment? Could you provide some key facts about the military industry of Serbia for our readers? Are there both state-run and private companies in the Serbian Defence Industry Sector or are 100% of enterprises operating in the Serbian defence sector state-run?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: The Serbian defence industry has a 170-year-long tradition, and in the period after World War II it has been progressively developed primarily to maximally meet the needs of the national armed forces along with significant cooperation with foreign partners. Today, it generally consists of about fifty companies with a license for the production of arms and military equipment and they vary in size and ownership structure (state- and private-owned companies with domestic and/or foreign capital), then military technical (development, research, overhaul and testing) institutions of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, as well as many of their subcontractors who are not primarily from the defence sector, but provide significant support in the process of manufacturing arms and military equipment. A total of 21 companies are in major state ownership, of which the 17 largest ones belong to the Serbian Defence Industries Group and are managed and supervised by the Ministry of Defence. The key production programme of these 17 companies covers ammunition and ordinance of all types and calibres, as well as small arms and complex combat systems (artillery, combat and non-combat vehicles) and the production of their components. About thirty companies, mostly small and medium enterprises, are in major private ownership, representing a complement to the state-owned factories as their significant subcontractors, but also operating independently on the market. They deal with the production of various arms and military equipment, and among them there are highly specialised companies in the field of optics and optoelectronics, precision mechanics and electronics, telecommunications, radar technology, energy materials, etc. I would like to make a special reference to the state military technical institutions, such as the Military Technical Institute, overhaul and testing institutions of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, which directly participate, in close cooperation with domestic and foreign industry, in the process of development, production and modernisation of arms and military equipment for the needs of both our armed forces and foreign partners. In short, it can be said that the defence industry in Serbia is an important factor of the defence and security policy of the Republic of Serbia, ensuring the development of necessary capabilities of our armed forces through a synergy of large state companies and institutions with private companies, as well as in permanent cooperation with foreign partners.
Defence Turkey: On October 7, 2019, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar VUČIĆ and the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN, the delegations of the two countries signed several cooperation agreements including the Serbia-Turkey Framework Military Agreement. And, speaking to Serbian Politika newspaper during his visit to Serbia in August 2021 Foreign Minister of Turkey, Mevlüt ÇAVUŞOĞLU said, “Bilateral relations between Turkey and Serbia have reached the best level in history.” How do you evaluate the current state of the Serbian-Turkish cooperation in the field of defence?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: I would agree with the statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Mevlüt ÇAVUŞOĞLU, that the political relations between the two states are currently at the highest level. A particular dimension of the mutual relations of the two countries represents the established friendship of the presidents of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar VUČIĆ and the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN. The agreement at the level of governments of the two countries, signed in Belgrade, on 7th October 2019, establishes the fundamental goals and principles of mutual military cooperation, for the purpose of providing contribution to the development of overall relations between the two states. The said agreement, and the overall relations between the two countries, provide opportunity and room for the advancement and tailoring of defence cooperation in a manner that reflects mutual interests. Viewed from the current perspective, we evaluate the bilateral military cooperation as good, whereat there is room for its further enhancement. I had open and comprehensive talks with your Minister of National Defence Hulusi AKAR, during which we agreed that the cooperation should be enhanced first of all in the military-to-military and military economic areas.
Defence Turkey: What can you tell us about Serbia’s approach to Turkey in terms of defence industrial cooperation? Does the Serbian MoD have a set target for activities with Turkey? What do you think could be done to increase the level of this cooperation? What is your forecast for the future?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: As I have already highlighted, we can assess the hitherto cooperation as successful noting that there is room for further enhancement. That was exactly the subject matter of my talks with Minister AKAR in Ankara. I believe that there is possibility for its further enhancement and in the military-to-military domain in particular. The participation in joint exercises provides excellent opportunity for exchanging experiences and knowledge between the two respective militaries. We are currently planning to provide joint parachute training for special units in Turkey. In addition, I have expressed my expectation that Turkish Armed Forces personnel will engage in more active participation in exercises organised by the Serbian Armed Forces. I also believe that there is room for the enhancement of military economic cooperation as well. Several Serbian companies participated again in this year’s International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2021) in Turkey, and our delegation from the Military Technical Institute visited the fair as well.
Defence Turkey: Turkish defence industry companies have previously procured raw materials and supplies for various explosives utilized in indigenously developed missiles and munitions, also various types of small arms ammunitions have been procured for the Turkish Police from J.P. Jugoimport-SDPR, a state-owned intermediary company with a decades-long tradition in the trade of armaments, defence equipment and transfer of technology. Several Turkish Defence & Aerospace Industry companies are also carrying out discussions with J.P. Jugoimport-SDPR for collaborations on potential projects. What can Serbia do for Turkey and what could Turkey do for Serbia in the defence sphere?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: Our industries, beside the traditional provision of production components, have already mutually cooperated on the joint development of sophisticated weapon systems such as guided anti-armour missiles. There is a possibility for continued cooperation in this area, and in other ones, such as modern electronic systems.
Defence Turkey: Would you like to add anything in the way of a message for our readers?
MoD Nebojša STEFANOVIĆ: I believe that the exceptional personal relations between presidents Aleksandar VUČIĆ and Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN have paved the new way of cooperation between our countries, which is aimed at building a better life for both nations. Serbia and Turkey are very important for maintaining security in our region, but also for economic and any other progress, and that is why it is important that we work on deepening our cooperation and strengthening mutual understanding
