Military of Serbia
Encyclopedia
The Serbian Armed Forces are the armed services
of Serbia
. They consist of the Serbian Army
(includes River Flotilla
on the Danube
) and the Serbian Air Force and Air Defence. The armed forces are entirely professional and volunteer based.
in the seventh century. Over the following centuries it would evolve into the Serbian Empire
, one of the largest states in Europe
at the time.
Moravian Serbia was governed by Stefan Lazarević
who introduced modern military tactics and firearms to his army however the new technology failed to defeat the superior numbers of the Ottoman Empire
. The Ottomans had suppressed the formation of a Serbian state along with its military from 1540 until 1804, the year of the first Serbian uprising.
The 1804 Serbian Revolution
, started with a Serbian rebellion
against the Ottoman occupation of Serbia. The victories in the battles 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 independence, establishment of the Kingdom of Serbia
and weakened the Ottoman dominance in the Balkans
.
Serbia's independence and growing influence threatened neighboring Austria-Hungary
which lead to the Bosnian crisis
of 1908-1909. Consequently, since 1901, all Serbian males between the ages of 21 to 46 were liable for general mobilization. In 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war
on Serbia, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, marking the start of the First World War
. Serbia repelled 3 consecutive invasions by Austria, winning the first major victories of the war for the Allies
, but was eventually overwhelmed by the combined forces of the Central Powers
.
, but does take part in some United Nations peacekeeping missions. This military doctrine
is similar to that of Sweden
. The neutrality doctrine has obligated Serbia to remain militarily neutral during peacetime or in the event of a war. By its constitution
, Serbia must not enter a war as an aggressor on a sovereign state or a defender of another country. The use of its military is limited to an attack on Serbia's sovereignty. Serbia also practices the doctrine of civilian control of the military, vesting responsibility of the military in the citizens.
Serbia does not maintain a military presence in the disputed territory of Kosovo. United Nations Resolution 1244
gives UNMIK
temporary administrative control of Kosovo from Serbia. The province declared independence and has formed, with military and financial donations from Slovenia, Germany and the United States, a security force
consisting of 2,500 lightly armed members. Serbia sees this formation as "destabilizing to the region" yet it doesn't see it as a serious threat to its security.
is composed of the highest ranking officers who from the basic strategic command. The current Chief of Staff
is General Miloje Miletić
. Tactical and operational command is separated into the three branches, consisting of the Army, Air Force and Air Defense, and the Training Command.
Serbia abolished conscription
on January 1, 2011.
, this represents a drop in overall relation to the GDP as a percentage. Over 30% of the budget is spent on pensions alone. The continuing drive to modernize the military will add onto costs in the future. To promote efficient use of funds, the Strategic Defense Review has helped eliminate redundant services, withdrawal of outdated equipment, increase maneuverability and decrease response time. The number of active personnel has been significantly reduced from pre-2004 levels. As of 2011, over 90% of the armed forces are composed of professional soldiers and volunteers.
peacekeeping
missions. The Serbian Medical Corps, has participated in the Congo
since March 2003.
Armed forces
The armed forces of a country are its government-sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body, and to defend that body and the nation it represents from external aggressors. In some countries paramilitary...
of Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
. They consist of the Serbian Army
Serbian Army
-Objectives:The Serbian Army is responsible for:* deterring armed threats* defending Serbia's territory* participation in peacekeeping operations* providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief-Personnel:...
(includes River Flotilla
River Flotilla of the Serbian Armed Forces
The Serbian River flotilla is the specific unit of the Serbian Land Forces with the task of keeping and optimum operational regime of sailing and of protection of Serbian interests in interior sailing corridors, which consists of rivers and canals with a total length of 1,626 km...
on the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
) and the Serbian Air Force and Air Defence. The armed forces are entirely professional and volunteer based.
History
The first military formation in Serbia dates over 1,500 years ago when Vlastimir of Serbia formed the first medieval Serbian state of RaškaRaška (state)
Principality of Serbia or Serbian Principality was an early medieval state of the Serbs ruled by the Vlastimirović dynasty, that existed from ca 768 to 969 in Southeastern Europe. It was established through an unification of several provincial chiefs under the supreme rule of a certain Višeslav,...
in the seventh century. Over the following centuries it would evolve into the Serbian Empire
Serbian Empire
The Serbian Empire was a short-lived medieval empire in the Balkans that emerged from the Serbian Kingdom. Stephen Uroš IV Dušan was crowned Emperor of Serbs and Greeks on 16 April, 1346, a title signifying a successorship to the Eastern Roman Empire...
, one of the largest states in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
at the time.
Moravian Serbia was governed by Stefan Lazarević
Stefan Lazarevic
Stefan Lazarević known also as Stevan the Tall was a Serbian Despot, ruler of the Serbian Despotate between 1389 and 1427. He was the son and heir to Prince Lazar, who died at the Battle of Kosovo against the Turks in 1389, and Princess Milica from the subordinate branch of the Nemanjić dynasty...
who introduced modern military tactics and firearms to his army however the new technology failed to defeat the superior numbers of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. The Ottomans had suppressed the formation of a Serbian state along with its military from 1540 until 1804, the year of the first Serbian uprising.
The 1804 Serbian Revolution
Serbian revolution
Serbian revolution or Revolutionary Serbia refers to the national and social revolution of the Serbian people taking place between 1804 and 1835, during which this territory evolved from an Ottoman province into a constitutional monarchy and a modern nation-state...
, started with a Serbian rebellion
First Serbian Uprising
The First Serbian Uprising was the first stage of the Serbian Revolution , the successful wars of independence that lasted for 9 years and approximately 9 months , during which Serbia perceived itself as an independent state for the first time after more than three centuries of Ottoman rule and...
against the Ottoman occupation of Serbia. The victories in the battles of Ivankovac
Battle of Ivankovac
The Battle of Ivankovac was the first full-scale confrontation between the Serbian rebels and the official forces of the Ottoman Empire, during the First Serbian Uprising...
, Misar
Battle of Misar
The Battle of Mišar took place from 12 to 15 August 1806, with a Serbian victory over the Ottomans. Much of the Ottoman commanding core was killed during the battle....
, Deligrad
Battle of Deligrad
The Battle of Deligrad was fought between Serbia and the Ottoman Empire in 1806.-The battle:The First Serbian Uprising had begun in 1804 with the expulsion of the ruling janissary elite and the proclamation of an independent Serbian state by the revolution's leader, Karageorge. The Ottoman Sultan,...
and Belgrade led to the establishment of Principality of Serbia in 1817. The subsequent Second Serbian Revolution
Second Serbian Uprising
The Second Serbian Uprising was a second phase of the Serbian revolution against the Ottoman Empire, which erupted shortly after the re-annexation of the country to the Ottoman Empire, in 1813. The occupation was enforced following the defeat of the First Serbian Uprising , during which Serbia...
led to full recognition of Serbian independence, establishment of the Kingdom of Serbia
Kingdom of Serbia
The Kingdom of Serbia was created when Prince Milan Obrenović, ruler of the Principality of Serbia, was crowned King in 1882. The Principality of Serbia was ruled by the Karađorđevic dynasty from 1817 onwards . The Principality, suzerain to the Porte, had expelled all Ottoman troops by 1867, de...
and weakened the Ottoman dominance in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
.
Serbia's independence and growing influence threatened neighboring Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
which lead to the Bosnian crisis
Bosnian crisis
The Bosnian Crisis of 1908–1909, also known as the Annexation crisis, or the First Balkan Crisis, erupted into public view when on 6 October 1908, Austria-Hungary announced the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Britain, Italy, Serbia, Montenegro, Germany and France...
of 1908-1909. Consequently, since 1901, all Serbian males between the ages of 21 to 46 were liable for general mobilization. In 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war
Serbian Campaign (World War I)
The Serbian Campaign was fought from late July 1914, when Austria-Hungary invaded Serbia at the outset of the First World War, until late 1915, when the Macedonian Front was formed...
on Serbia, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, marking the start of the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Serbia repelled 3 consecutive invasions by Austria, winning the first major victories of the war for the Allies
Allies of World War I
The Entente Powers were the countries at war with the Central Powers during World War I. The members of the Triple Entente were the United Kingdom, France, and the Russian Empire; Italy entered the war on their side in 1915...
, but was eventually overwhelmed by the combined forces of the Central Powers
Central Powers
The Central Powers were one of the two warring factions in World War I , composed of the German Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria...
.
Armed neutrality
Serbia follows the doctrine of armed neutralityArmed neutrality
Armed neutrality, in international politics, is the posture of a state or group of states which makes no alliance with either side in a war, but asserts that it will defend itself against resulting incursions from all parties....
, but does take part in some United Nations peacekeeping missions. This military doctrine
Military doctrine
Military doctrine is the concise expression of how military forces contribute to campaigns, major operations, battles, and engagements.It is a guide to action, not hard and fast rules. Doctrine provides a common frame of reference across the military...
is similar to that of Sweden
Swedish neutrality
Swedish neutrality refers to Sweden's policy of neutrality in armed conflicts, which has been in effect since the early 19th century. The policy originated largely as a result of Sweden's involvement in the Napoleonic Wars during which over a third of the country's territory was lost, including the...
. The neutrality doctrine has obligated Serbia to remain militarily neutral during peacetime or in the event of a war. By its constitution
Constitution of Serbia
The Constitution of the Republic of Serbia is Serbia's fundamental law. The current constitution was approved in a constitutional referendum, held from on 28–29 October 2006...
, Serbia must not enter a war as an aggressor on a sovereign state or a defender of another country. The use of its military is limited to an attack on Serbia's sovereignty. Serbia also practices the doctrine of civilian control of the military, vesting responsibility of the military in the citizens.
Serbia does not maintain a military presence in the disputed territory of Kosovo. United Nations Resolution 1244
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, adopted on June 10, 1999, after recalling resolutions 1160 , 1199 , 1203 and 1239 , authorised an international civil and military presence in Kosovo ) and established the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo .Resolution...
gives UNMIK
United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo
The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo or UNMIK is the interim civilian administration in Kosovo, under the authority of the United Nations. The mission was established on 10 June 1999 by Security Council Resolution 1244...
temporary administrative control of Kosovo from Serbia. The province declared independence and has formed, with military and financial donations from Slovenia, Germany and the United States, a security force
Kosovo Security Force
The Kosovo Security Force is an emergency response force charged with conducting operations in Kosovo and abroad in the areas of Search and Rescue, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Firefighting, and Hazardous Material Disposal. It is widely assumed that the KSF will take on an additional defense...
consisting of 2,500 lightly armed members. Serbia sees this formation as "destabilizing to the region" yet it doesn't see it as a serious threat to its security.
Organization
The Serbian General StaffSerbian General Staff
The Serbian General Staff, also known as the General Staff of the Military of Serbia , is Serbia's highest unit of military organization and authority of the military...
is composed of the highest ranking officers who from the basic strategic command. The current Chief of Staff
Chief of the General Staff (Serbia)
The Chief of the General Staff is the Chief of the General Staff of the Military of Serbia. He is appointed by the President of Serbia, who is the commander-in-chief. The position dates to the period of the Principality of Serbia The current Chief of the General Staff is Lt...
is General Miloje Miletić
Miloje Miletic
Miloje Miletić is the Chief-of-staff of the Serbian Armed Forces, having been appointed on 15 February 2009. He previously served as acting Deputy Chief of the General Staff...
. Tactical and operational command is separated into the three branches, consisting of the Army, Air Force and Air Defense, and the Training Command.
Serbia abolished conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
on January 1, 2011.
Budget
Serbia's current defence spending stands at 2.08% of the GDPGross domestic product
Gross domestic product refers to the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country in a given period. GDP per capita is often considered an indicator of a country's standard of living....
, this represents a drop in overall relation to the GDP as a percentage. Over 30% of the budget is spent on pensions alone. The continuing drive to modernize the military will add onto costs in the future. To promote efficient use of funds, the Strategic Defense Review has helped eliminate redundant services, withdrawal of outdated equipment, increase maneuverability and decrease response time. The number of active personnel has been significantly reduced from pre-2004 levels. As of 2011, over 90% of the armed forces are composed of professional soldiers and volunteers.
Peacekeeping
The Serbian Armed Forces currently take part in five United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
missions. The Serbian Medical Corps, has participated in the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
since March 2003.
| Country Country A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously... |
Current Mission | Organization Organization An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of... |
Number of personnel |
|---|---|---|---|
 Côte d'IvoireCôte d'Ivoire The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be... |
UNOCI | United Nations United Nations The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace... |
3 officers as military observers |
 Cyprus |
UNFICYP United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus was established in 1964 to prevent a recurrence of fighting between the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots and to contribute to the maintenance and restoration of law and order and a return to normal conditions... |
United Nations United Nations The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace... |
1 staff officer, 2 observers and 6 infantry |
 DR CongoDemocratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world... |
MONUC United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or MONUSCO , is a United Nations peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which was established by the United Nations Security Council in resolutions 1279... |
United Nations United Nations The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace... |
2 staff officers, 2 doctors and 4 technicians |
 LebanonLebanon Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among... |
UNIFIL | United Nations United Nations The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace... |
5 staff officers |
 LiberiaLiberia Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open... |
UNMIL | United Nations United Nations The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace... |
4 officers as military observers |
See also
- Military Intelligence Agency VOAVojnoobaveštajna agencijaVOA or Vojnoobaveštajna agencija is the military intelligence agency of the Ministry of Defence of Serbia....
- Military Security Agency VBA
- Equipment of the Serbian Army