Armed Forces of Serbia

History

The modern Armed Forces of Serbia emerged from the dissolution of the Armed Forces of Serbia-Montenegro in 2006, following Montenegro's independence referendum. Prior to this, the Joint Ministry of Defence was established in 2003 as part of the State Union between Serbia and Montenegro. According to a decree by the Serbian Parliament on June 5, Serbia inherited the Joint Ministry of Defence.

The first appearance of a great Serbian Army can be seen in the legendary Battle of Kosovo against the Ottoman Empire in 1389, which, despite a defeat, marked a turning point for the Serbian people. Throughout history, Serbs fought alongside various powers, including the Austrian Empire, to resist Ottoman rule and eventually achieve sovereignty.

Structure

The Armed Forces of Serbia are organized into three branches:

* **Land Army**: responsible for ground operations
* **Air Force**: responsible for air defense and operations
* **Training Commands**: responsible for training and development of military personnel

Tasks and Responsibilities

The basic tasks of the military include:

* Defense of Serbia from armed foreign threats
* Participation in the process of building and maintaining peace in the region and the world
* Support in the event of natural and other disasters

Modernization and Professionalization

Since 2009, the conversion of the army into a professional force has been underway. On December 31, 2010, conscription in Serbia ended. The country maintains a non-aligned military policy.

Global Rankings

According to the Global Firepower Index (GFI) for 2023, Serbia's armed forces rank 58th globally and are ahead of all other states of the former Yugoslavia.