SAF CHOD's interview to the International Radio Serbia

SAF CHOD General Ljubisa Dikovic said that the Serbian Army has the required level of operational capability and is fully ready for any mission and the tasks expected of it. He told (Serbian International Radio) that Serbia was not under any threat at the moment.

What is the situation in the army now, is it better after the professionalization of the army?

Lj.D.: The basic criteria for values of any army are clearly defined. It is not necessarily crucial whether an army consists of regular or professional soldiers. The basic criteria for any army is its ability to perform basic tasks, and the level of its operational capability to carry out its missions. These are the key things when it comes to ability: people, technology and motivation of the people in the army. The Serbian Army has the required level of operational capability and is prepared to carry out its mission and objectives. The idea of reform and professionalization of the army was to create a modern defence system in line with modern challenges, risks and threats, and our experiences in this regard are positive. Forms of military organization have changed throughout history. Today, the majority of armies have professional soldiers. There are countries that have retained regular troops, there are mixed systems. Past experience has shown that we did not make a mistake and that our estimates were good. We have left the opportunity for our young men and women to serve in the army voluntarily, albeit short - three months which is quite enough as it meets the current needs.
Actually, we can return to the system of conscription, without causing great changes. So, everything that we have done, has been done in a flexible and adjustable way. In accordance with the requirements in the coming years, since we cannot estimate what lies ahead, we can easily go back to the previous form if necessary. The specific dilemma we encountered during the professionalization was our tradition and blend of our people and the army, the relationship they have which is truly specific and is something we are proud of. There were occasions when it seemed that this relationship could be broken and the military would become an independent system, an institution separate from the people. This is why voluntary military service has made it possible for the army to continue being present where and when necessary among people, so any threat of this particular bond being broken has vanished in hope that we will in the future work to the satisfaction of citizens.

Will there be some more changes?

Lj.D.: Everything is changing rapidly, especially in security challenges. Today, the fight against terrorism came along and all the structures involved in this fight will be your organization to adapt to the efficient combating terrorism. I have just mentioned Army’s flexibility to respond to modern demands, which is very important. Changes will surely come, however, we will be able to get rid of everything that is bad and continue to keep track with current challenges so as to be ready to respond to the challenges placed before Serbia, primarily with the aim to protect the safety of all citizens from any form of harassment, particularly military threat, though, I should also mention that we are currently participating in prevention of non-military threats that are very much visible in the modern world.

What is the security situation in Serbia? Is the military ready to respond to any threats and in which situations will it react?

Lj.D.: Serbia is not threatened militarily. The most influential factor threatening the stability is ethnic and religious extremism, international networks of organized crime and illegal migration. These are not typical military challenges and threats, but the threats that all Balkan countries are facing. For Serbia, certainly the greatest security challenge is the current situation in Kosovo, but this is more a political than a military matter. The members of the military are doing everything to create the conditions for political negotiations and we hope that this issue, which is difficult at the moment, will be resolved to the satisfaction of all the citizens of Serbia.

Women have always been interested in the military. How open is the military to women?

Lj.D.: When we talk about women in the military I cannot but recall Milunka Savic, our heroine recognized before which all the generals of the allied forces saluted her, however she had to hide herself in order to achieve the goals and demonstrated her loyalty to the state and her patriotism. Today we have 15 percent of women who are admitted equally as men, both sexes are equally represented. During recent testing of capabilities of women in the military Defense Minister Aleksandar Vucic was pleased to see that women in their posts could perform the duties as successfully as men. However, there are some duties in the Army which they cannot perform as well as ne, and that has to do with physical strength but when it comes to other duties, women can perform as successfully as men.

Will you be working on renewing military equipment?

Lj.D.: This is a key issue. Operational capabilities of an army are as a key measure of an army’s value, the main factors being capabilities and are the technologies our military has, together with people who operate technological equipment and their motivation. For the past 30 years nothing has been significantly in terms of procuring new military equipment and modern weapons, particularly for air defense systems, complex systems for the ground forces, and this imposes the need to equip our military so to be able to perform basic tasks. Currently the most vulnerable branch of our military in terms of equipment, is our air defense and aviation subjects. Our goal is to prepare them to successfully control our airspace of the Republic of Serbia in peace as well as to be a deterrent against possible aggressions on Serbia from the air and land.

Minister Vucic has announced that SAF air forces will be reinforced. Do you have some more signings planned?

Lj.D.: We are currently negotiating with Russia about equipping all of our systems, especially the Air Force. We expect commercial offers, the way it will all be realized. Will this be procured through commercial or loan in merchandise is being agreed upon at the moment, and I hope that it will be successfully completed. These are neither large nor small means. These are mid-term plans until 2018, and if we manage to realize it then another 30 years there would be no need to invest in the Air Fo rce.

What missions is the Army of Serbia currently participating in?

Lj.D.: The SAF are currently participating in six multinational operations in Liberia, Ivory Coast, Congo, Lebanon, Cyprus and the Middle East, and members of the army have been engaged in two multi-national EU operations in Uganda and in Somalia. Serbia has a total of 116 soldiers deployed in 8 operations. Our ambition is to increase the number of people in these operations, especially EU operations, because it is important for the military, and even more so for maintaining good interstate relations. It is all a function of foreign policy, national security and defense system development because in this way we are strengthening Serbia's reputation in the world and provide support for the strategic interests of our country.

You have a very good cooperation with the Ohio National Guard. Are there any plans for boosting international cooperation?

Lj.D.: SAF works together with many armies of the world and from all continents. I will not mention here all the countries we work with because it is a long list. International cooperation activities are numerous and very helpful their aim being to primarily improve the operational capabilities of the military through various forms of cooperation - joint training, international practice, education and training of personnel, exchange of experience in various fields. We have very good cooperation with the Ohio National Guard, in the US-Serbia State Partnership Program. Collaboration is useful, especially to point out that we get to support for preparing one of our military bases for the training of forces for participation in multinational operations. Our wish is to continue with the project of international military cooperation, to enhance cooperation with countries where this is possible, especially with Russia and EU countries. As regards international cooperation, and bilateral military cooperation, Serbia has had most of the activities with the United States for the past few years. This is how we nurture good partner relations through partnerships.

Serbian army has a religious service. Does each military composition have a military priest and how are they elected?

Lj.D.: We have been talking about introducing religious services in SAF for a few years now. This year we are at the end of the project to the satisfaction of all members of the military. Currently, a number of priests, imams and chaplains are in organized training program that aims to help them see the military as an institution in terms of organization, characteristics and relationships, in order to more effectively carry out their duties. Not every military composition will have a military priest, but the number of chaplains shall depend on the number of military professionals of specific religion. It is planned that 100 to 500 military personnel to be employed by a priest or religious official. 500 to 1,000 people two, and every next thousand more on a religious official. The choice we have made at the contest, during training. They passed a certain selection, and here's to the next 15 days we expect to begin to carry out their tasks.

What about the interest of prospective students in military high school, academy, professional military service?

Lj.D.: The number of those interested is really high. You see, your are respected based on your worth! For example, during the last four years we have received more than 27 thousand applications for admission to professional military service as professional soldiers. This year, more than 2,000 young men and women will be tested to get admitted into military schools. These are impressive figures, which speak volumes of the interest of young people in military profession and the reputation of the Army of Serbia in our society. It is a fact of pride and joy, but it is equally an obligation to continue to move in the right direction, so that we can deserve the respect of all citizens of the Republic of Serbia while also this will help us prevent any problems with manning our units and military schools.

What are your plans for the future?

Lj.D.: We have ambitious plans. We have presented them in annual plans, mid-term plans and the long-term development program based on military capabilities. Certainly we need to step up training of all members of the Serbian Army. The training is where the power of knowledge and military skills lies. We need to equip our units better, because it is not enough just to want, need and power. Then, there is the task of improving the organization, because every organization, especially the military must be prepared for rapid changes and to keep up with contemporary trends so as to be ready to respond to modern demands. In this respect, we have to educate and improve our NCOs and officers. Army should be such that people do not see or feel its presence there" at peace and in normal circumstances, but in dire circumstances- they have to be there, always ready to protect, help, ensure that the citizens of Serbia feel safe.