Q:
A:
Defence Ministry achieves significant results
Belgrade,
19 October 2008
Serbian Minister of Defence Dragan Sutanovac said today that the Ministry modernized weapons, upgraded vehicles and aircraft and drafted several laws during its first 100 days of work.
Dragan Sutanovac at today's press conference
Speaking at a press conference at which results achieved by the Ministry during its first 100 days were presented, Sutanovac said that the tragic death of pilot Istvan Kanas at the Batajnica Airport is an incident that cast a shadow on the Ministry’s work.
The Minister said that the Defence Ministry is now considering a proposal to help the Kanas family by paying their housing loan.
He expressed dissatisfaction at the fact that the Ministry will not receive nearly RSD 3 billion intended for equipment as a result of the budget revision, but said that he hopes that this will not affect plans owing to good planning done ahead.
He said that during the first 100 days, the army secured 100 ground vehicles, 1,680 automatic guns M-21, 500 firearms for the special brigade and ten drone planes.
Sutanovac said that construction works on the Cepotin base in southern Serbia are underway, and a tender will be called for securing more drone planes next year. Five planes and 10 helicopters, as well as a certain number of tanks and other vehicles are being upgraded currently, he added.
He reiterated that a certain number of planes and other military equipment could be retrieved from Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, following a decision that the Serbian Army needs it.
He said that the army has settled all debts and this will have a positive affect because RSD 500 million was spent last year on paying interest.
He said that the Ministry was very active in drafting laws, such as the law on military material obligations and civilian employees, and in the preparation of new regulations.
Sutanovac said that the law on the military-security agency and the military-intelligence agency is being prepared.
The Minister said that the Defence Ministry is now considering a proposal to help the Kanas family by paying their housing loan.
He expressed dissatisfaction at the fact that the Ministry will not receive nearly RSD 3 billion intended for equipment as a result of the budget revision, but said that he hopes that this will not affect plans owing to good planning done ahead.
He said that during the first 100 days, the army secured 100 ground vehicles, 1,680 automatic guns M-21, 500 firearms for the special brigade and ten drone planes.
Sutanovac said that construction works on the Cepotin base in southern Serbia are underway, and a tender will be called for securing more drone planes next year. Five planes and 10 helicopters, as well as a certain number of tanks and other vehicles are being upgraded currently, he added.
He reiterated that a certain number of planes and other military equipment could be retrieved from Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, following a decision that the Serbian Army needs it.
He said that the army has settled all debts and this will have a positive affect because RSD 500 million was spent last year on paying interest.
He said that the Ministry was very active in drafting laws, such as the law on military material obligations and civilian employees, and in the preparation of new regulations.
Sutanovac said that the law on the military-security agency and the military-intelligence agency is being prepared.
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