Military potential of Serbia: without losses and with acquisitions
The Republic of Serbia cares about its security, and one of the measures in this context is maintaining the combat capability of the armed forces and their systematic development. Despite the presence of objective limitations, measures are being taken to strengthen and improve the army, giving the desired result. Thanks to this, the Serbian armed forces are currently one of the most powerful in their region.
General indicators
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Serbia in their current form were formed on June 8, 2006, following the division of the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The units and formations remaining on Serbian territory were included in the armed forces of the new independent republic. On this base, various military constructions were subsequently carried out, aimed at protecting national interests in the existing conditions.
At the moment, Serbia has only two types of armed forces. The first and main one is the ground forces. They generally have a standard composition and include tank, infantry, artillery, engineering, etc. units. In addition, the river flotilla on the Danube River is subordinated to the command of the ground forces. The second type of armed forces is the air force and air defense troops. Also, some of the tasks of protecting the country can be solved by the gendarmerie, which performs the functions of the internal troops.
With a limited number of troops and materiel, the Serbian armed forces are distinguished by high potential. Thus, in the well-known Global Firepower rating, which takes into account fifty different indicators, the Serbian army in 2024 was in 56th place in the world or 20th among European armed forces. Compared to the 2023 ranking, Serbia rose two positions, and from the mid-tenths moved up two dozen places. As a result, at the moment, among the countries in its region, Serbia is second only to Greece.
The reasons for such changes and advancement in the ranking are known and obvious. The Serbian military and political leadership pays a lot of attention to issues of national security and the development of the armed forces. Serbia is not a member of any political or military blocs, which is why it cannot count on collective security mechanisms and must rely only on itself.
With all this, from 2022 there is another curious factor. Other countries in Europe and the Balkan region decided to support the Kiev regime and send it weapons and military equipment. Material parts for supplies were taken from the availability of 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
The Global Firepower 2024 rating indicates the total number of Serbian armed forces at 25. The Military Balance 2024 reference book gives the figure of 28,15, and it includes not only the army, but also the security forces. The main and most numerous type of armed forces is the ground forces. At least 13 people serve in them. The Air Force and Defense serves more than 5 thousand people.
The main strength of the ground forces are two mechanized brigades, each of which includes one tank battalion, two motorized infantry, one engineer, etc. There is also one artillery brigade with six battalions/divisions, one airborne and one special forces brigade of three battalions. In addition, the troops have several separate auxiliary battalions - engineering, chemical warfare, communications, etc.
The army has up to 230 main tanks of several models. Most of the park, approx. 200 units are MBT M-84 locally produced. There are also up to 30 T-72 vehicles of one of the older modifications. Armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles of various models are used as transport for infantry, starting from the old Soviet BTR-50. The newest ones in the park are approx. 40 armored personnel carrier "Lazar-3".
Field artillery uses systems in calibers from 122 to 155 mm. There are about 85 Soviet-made Gvozdika self-propelled guns and newer Serbian B-52 Nora. Towed artillery – more than 130 units. different types. Rocket artillery includes approx. 80 multiple launch rocket systems of 128 and 262 mm calibers of Yugoslav and Serbian production.
Military air defense relies on Soviet-made systems. There are more than 70 old Kub air defense systems and various MANPADS. Bofors 40 mm artillery systems also retain their place, both original and transferred to various platforms.
The Danube River Flotilla, subordinate to the ground forces, has only four patrol boats and the same number of light minesweepers. There are four landing craft and various transport vessels.
The Air Force and Air Defense troops are quite modest in size. They include only seven aviation squadrons of various purposes with this or that equipment. One anti-aircraftrocket brigade and two separate radiotechnical battalions.
Tactical aviation includes a total of 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 ones. The helicopter fleet includes 17 Mi-24 and Mi-35 aircraft, as well as fifty multi-purpose helicopters of various types.
The air defense system, part of the Air Force, uses 4 Chinese-made HQ-22 long-range systems and retains up to 15 old Soviet S-125 and Kub complexes in service. To cover the air defense systems in positions, at least six Pantsir-S1 air defense systems are used, as well as 40-mm cannons and various MANPADS.
In the process of updating
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 solved through the acquisition of the necessary weapons and equipment of different classes, incl. the newest ones. Recently, several similar purchases and plans for the future have become known.
Thus, in February 2023, the Serbian leadership announced its intention to modernize three dozen tanks and Gvozdika self-propelled guns, as well as purchase up to 40 new Lazar-3 armored personnel carriers. It was also proposed to purchase 60 ALAS self-propelled ATGMs.
For several years, Serbia has been negotiating with Cyprus on the supply of Mi-35P helicopters. The Cypriot army planned to write off this equipment and replace it with foreign models, and the Serbian army was ready to buy it back. The result of the negotiations was a real contract, under which in November 2023 Serbia received the 11 desired helicopters.
Over the past few years, the topic of the possible purchase of French Dassault Rafale fighter-bombers has been regularly raised. Regularly agrees to reach general agreements, but there is no firm contract yet. Whether he will appear and when this may happen is unknown.
At the end of March, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced new supplies of weapons and equipment. Then he said that the army had ordered and would in the near future receive several dozen new MLRS. New fighters and UAVs are also expected. At the same time, the head of state did not specify the types of equipment, its suppliers and other details. It is likely that new data on these deliveries will appear in the near future.
Planned development
Thus, the Republic of Serbia, unlike other European countries, does not skimp on defense and does not get involved in dubious military-political adventures. It is engaged in the systematic development of its armed forces, and solves such problems in several ways. Thus, existing samples and products are retained in service, and, if necessary, they undergo modernization. In addition, whenever possible, new products are purchased.
A sound policy and a reasonable approach to defense issues produce the desired results. The Serbian army is not very large, but in terms of equipment and expected combat capabilities it is not inferior to other armed forces in the region. Moreover, in recent years, new factors have emerged that could change the balance of power in Serbia's favor.
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