Vulin: Acquisition of Pantsir System Says that It’s too Costly to Pressure Serbia

Aleksandar Vulin, Minister of Defence (Ministry of Defence / Jovo Mamula)

Serbian Defense Minister Aleksandar Vulin said on Feb. 24 that the acquisition of the Pantsir missile system sends out a message to both “friends and enemies” that it is “too costly” to use force when dealing with Serbia.

Speaking about the delivery of the said Russian air defense system to Serbia, Vulin described it as “defensive weapons” that cannot threaten anyone beyond Serbian borders. “Pantsir is a serious technology and its acquisition sends a message to both friends and enemies. The purpose of our army’s existence is deterrence. One prepares for the worst in peacetime, and not when the worst comes,” said Vulin for Pink television.

The minister announced a showcase of “all the new acquisitions that we have and will have” on the Serbian Armed Forces Day, marked on April 23.

Commenting on his response to former minister of defense Dragan Sutanovac’ article, which has not been published anywhere, Vulin said it was a “stupid mistake” made by his media adviser.

He added that the Movement of Socialists, of which he is the leader, will participate in the upcoming election together with the Serbian Progressive Party. “Vucic and I made an agreement back in 2008, and nothing’s going to change there. We’ll be together at all levels [of election]; I’m honored we’re comrades and that together we’ve overcome some of the biggest challenges,” Vulin said.