Serbian Armed Forces
| Serbian Armed Forces Bojcka Србије (Serbian) Vojska Srbije (Serbian) |
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 Armed Forces Emblem |
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| Founded | 1882 |
| Current form | 2006 |
| Service branches | Land Forces Air Force & Air Defence Training Command |
| Headquarters | Belgrade, Serbia |
| Leadership | |
| Commander-in-chief | President Boris Tadić |
| Minister of Defence | Dragan Šutanovac |
| Chief of Staff | Lt. Gen Miloje Miletić |
| Manpower | |
| Military age | 19 |
| Conscription | 6-month service obligation for men (may be substituted for 9-month socially useful work), with a reserve obligation to age 60 for men and 50 for women |
| Fit for military service |
2,794,948 [1], age 15–49 |
| Reaching military age annually |
128,291 (2008) [1] |
| Active personnel | 36 000 ranked 74th |
| Expenditures | |
| Budget | 72,763 billion RSD (2009)[2] 898 million USD |
| Percent of GDP | 2.1% (2009)[2] |
| Related articles | |
| History | Military history of Serbia |
| Ranks | Serbian military ranks and insignia |
The Armed Forces of Serbia (Serbian: Bojcka Србије / Vojska Srbije) are the military forces of Serbia. They consist of the Land Forces, Air Force and Training Command. Serbia follows the doctrine of armed neutrality and civilian control of the military.
Contents |
History
Formation
The first military formation in Serbia dates over 1500 years ago when Vlastimir of Serbia formed the first medieval Serbian state of Raška in the seventh century. Over the following centuries it would evolve into the Serbian Empire, one of the largest empires in Europe at the time.
The Ottoman invasion lowered the might of the emerging Serbian empire during the Battle of Maritsa where most of the Serbian nobility was killed. The nobility separated into several smaller states, the largest being Moravian Serbia. The kingdom was governed by Stefan Lazarević who introduced modern military tactics and firearms to his army however the new technology couldn't defend the kingdom from the superior numbers of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans had suppressed the formation of a Serbian state along with its military from 1540 till 1804, the year of the first Serbian uprising.
The 1804 Serbian Revolution, started with a Serbian rebellion against the Ottoman occupation of Serbs. Serbian victories in the battle of Ivankovac, Misar, Deligrad and Belgrade led to the establishment of Principality of Serbia in 1817. The subsequent Second Serbian Revolution led to full recognition of Serbian self-governance, establishment of the Kingdom of Serbia and weakened the Ottoman empires dominance in the Balkans.
At the start of the 20th century Serbian leadership foresaw the possibility of Austria–Hungary attacking. Consequently, starting in 1901, all male Serbians between the ages of 21 to 46 were liable for compulsory military service.[3] 13 years later in 1914, Austria–Hungary attacked Serbia marking the start of World War I. Serbia resisted 3 consecutive invasions by Austria, winning the first major victories of the war for the Allies, but was finally overwhelmed by the combined forces of the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria).
After the conclusion of the first world war in 1918, Serbia formed the State of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, from the newly acquired territories of the former Austria-Hungary. At the start of World War II ethnic Serbs, unlike other ethnic groups within the Yugoslav Kingdom, protested the military Tripartite Pact with Hitler's Nazi Germany and launched a Coup d'état on March 27, 1941. The coup was successful and Prince Paul was removed from power and replaced by Peter II. On April 6, Hitler launched the Invasion of Yugoslavia, resulting in the unconditional surender of the Royal Yugoslav Army eleven on April 17. After the war, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was established and created the Yugoslav People's Army. Yugoslavia collapsed in the 1990s leaving the newly formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia which was later changed to State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. The military functioned on a federal level between the two republics.
Since 2006, Serbia has regained its independence and subsequently control of its military.
Present time
International peacekeeping
Serbia currently takes part in several UN missions in Africa. The Serbian medical corps, has participated in Congo since March 2003.[4] Serbia plans to have 10,600 professional personnel and 2000 volunteers available to the UN Peace Corps.[5]
| Country | Current Mission | Organization | Nr. of personnel |
|---|---|---|---|
 Chad |
UNMCARC | United Nations | 21 members |
 Liberia |
UNMIL | United Nations | 4 officers as military observers |
 Côte d'Ivoire |
UNOCI | United Nations | 3 officers as military observers |
 Congo |
MONUC | United Nations | 2 doctors, 4 technicians |
Defence policy
Serbia follows the doctrine of armed neutrality, but does take part in some United Nations peacekeeping missions. This military doctrine is similar to that of Sweden. Because of this doctrine, Serbia cannot enter into a military alliance during peacetime or in the event of a war nor is it obligated to assist another country in such an event. By its constitution, Serbia must not enter a war as an aggressor on an sovereign state or defender of another country. The use of its military is limited to an attack on Serbia's neutrality and sovereignty. Serbia also practises the doctrine of civilian control of the military, vesting responsibility of the military in the citizens themselves.
Serbia does not maintain a military presence in the disputed region of Kosovo. United Nations Resolution 1244 gives UNMIK temporary administrative power over Kosovo from Serbia. Contrary to the resolution the province declared independence and has formed, with military and financial donations from Slovenia, Germany and the United States, a security force consisting of 2500 lightly armed members. Serbia sees this formation as "destabilizing to the region" yet it doesn't see it as a serious threat to its armed forces.
Budget
Serbia's current military spending accounts for 2.1 percent of its GDP.[2] Over 30% of the budget is spent on pensions alone.[6] The continuing drive to modernize the military will add onto costs in the future. To promote efficient use of funds, a Strategic Defense Review has helped eliminate redundant services, increase maneuverability and decrease response time. The number of personnel has significantly been reduced. A key reform objective is abolition of conscription and switch to a completely professional force by 2011.
Organization
The Serbian General Staff composed of the highest ranked officers, is responsible for strategic command. The current Chief of Staff is Lt Gen. Miloje Miletić. The tactical and operational command is separated into the three branches, consisting of the Land Forces, Air Force and Air Defense and Training Command.
See also
- Equipment of the Serbian Land Forces
- Equipment of the Serbian Air Force and Air Defense
- Military Intelligence Agency VOA
- Military Security Agency VBA
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ri.html
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Latest issue Odbrana, 02-02-2009
- ↑ http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWserbiaA.htm
- ↑ http://www.odbrana.mod.gov.rs/arsenal/arsenal025/02-08_Arsenal.pdf
- ↑ http://www.emportal.rs/en/news/serbia/109408.html
- ↑ Defence budget (Serbia)
External links
- Official website
- Ministry of Defense
- Armed forces, Serbia - Jane's Information Group
- Serbian military - globalsecurity.org
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Commander-in-chief • 
Minister of Defence • 
Chief of Staff
Land Force Command •
Air Force and Air Defence Command •
Training Command
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