Larger budget for Serbia's army, new weaponry, Minister says

Nebojsa Stefanovic, Defence Minister, said on Tuesday that 142 million euros would be placed in Serbia's military industry to increase its capacity, while some 1.25 billion euros were planned for the army's equipment in the next five years.

"We expect a new portable anti-armour system that can target armoured vehicles, transporters and bunkers at a distance of eight kilometres and has a high degree of penetration," Stefanovic told the state RTS TV.

He added it was a defensive weapon that "ensures no one can threaten the country with armour or other means without knowing that we have adequate equipment," adding the weapon would be for the 72nd Special Brigade.

He announced his visit to the Brigade with President Aleksandar Vucic by the end of the year.

Earlier this month, Stefanovic saidthe military budget would be increased next year and added that the region's countries were investing more in their militaries than before.

In 2019, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)report from April this year, Serbia recorded the most significant expenditure for its military among the countries of the Western Balkans.