Serbia presented for the first time the modern FK-3 air defense system, recently acquired from China. “We have recently managed to invest more money and, as a result, equip our army with modern means,” President Aleksandar Vucic said today on the sidelines of an air and weapons show at the Batajnica military airport near Belgrade.
The United States has issued advance notice
The US has warned Serbia not to buy the Chinese air defense system. It can defend against aircraft, missiles and drones and is based on the Russian S-300 system. Serbia had already completed the purchase in 2019. China delivered the first components in early April. This caused a stir because the Russian war against Ukraine was already underway.
At the airport show, the Serbian military also showed for the first time the Russian Pantsir air defense system. Serbia had already acquired this in 2020. Under Vucic, the Balkan country deepened its relations with Russia. However, at the UN General Assembly, Belgrade agreed to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the same time, it has so far been unwilling to adhere to EU sanctions against Russia.
Serbia aspires to EU membership, but not NATO. However, it participates in NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme. As Vucic explained on the military show, he is currently negotiating with NATO country France to purchase twelve Rafale fighter jets.