Russian arms deliveries to Serbia "would restore balance"
If Serbia's plans to buy air defense systems and MiG-29s from Russia are successful, these arms "will restore the balance in the Balkans."
Friday, 15.01.2016.
15:18
Russian arms deliveries to Serbia "would restore balance"
"The Serbian Army believes that the emergence of such weapons in the Balkans changes the balance of power in the region. But, they saw no help from those who are so active in inviting them to join NATO. And they were forced to turn to us," a Russian source has been quoted as saying.The Serbian request has already been sent to Russia. A special commission for military-technical cooperation between the two countries will discuss it by the end of January, something that Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin also spoke about recently.
"We will study the list with the greatest care, we will consider it, and fulfill it in accordance with the abilities," he said.
According to Kommersant, the Serbian military interested primarily small and mid-range air defense systems - Buk and Tor, and Pantsir-S1, respectively.
The complex S-300 system has not been brought up during Rogozin's meetings in Belgrade as the Serbian military budget does not allow for this type of acquisition, said the article.
In addition, the Serbian Defense Ministry intends add several MiG-29 fighters to its Air Force fleet.
The country currently has ten MiG-29s (including the six bought from Russia in 2013), eleven MiG-21s, as well as several dozen J-22 Orao (Eagle) aircraft.
The paper's sources argued that if Moscow and Belgrade agree on the necessary amount air defense systems and aircraft, they will be shipped from the existing resources of the Ministry of Defense of Russia, with subsequent modernization.
This would be "a faster and cheaper" option for Serbia, writes the daily, adding that it would "allow for the preservation of the balance of power in the Balkan region."
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