Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Tuesday he was satisfied with the results of a comprehensive review of the country’s armed forces, citing record defence spending and significantly expanded military capabilities, while warning that Belgrade was concerned about the formation of military alliances in the region.
Speaking after attending a briefing on the operational and functional readiness of the Serbian Armed Forces for 2025 at the Guard House complex in Topčider, Vučić said Serbia was investing heavily in defence in order to preserve peace through deterrence.
“We are analysing what weapons and equipment we need and closely monitoring the security environment in the region. I am very satisfied with the results,” Vučić told reporters.
Vučić said defence and security spending had reached a record level of about 2.65% of gross domestic product, placing Serbia among the highest military spenders in the region relative to the size of its economy.
“To make it clear to the citizens of Serbia, these figures explain everything. We have record allocations, around 2.65% of GDP for the defence and security system,” he said.
According to Vučić, more than half of the defence budget — 54.1% — is allocated to investments, including procurement and modernisation, while 32.5% is spent on personnel costs and the remainder on operational expenses.
“These are major investments. That clearly shows the scale of our commitment to the army. Preserving peace is our priority, and peace can only be preserved by deterring any potential aggression against our country,” he added.
Concerns over regional security
Vučić said Serbia was “very concerned” about what he described as the formation of military alliances in the country’s immediate neighbourhood, though he did not name specific states or groupings.
“We are extremely worried about the creation of military alliances in our surroundings directed against Serbia. In line with that, we are acting responsibly and seriously — without provoking anyone — but with a clear intention to deter anyone who might consider aggression against our country,” he said.
He said Serbia had “drastically and dramatically” increased its defence capabilities, particularly in the air force and air defence systems, adding that further upgrades across all branches of the military were planned in the coming years.
High levels of wartime reserves
Vučić said Serbia’s wartime material reserves were at a high level of readiness, in some cases exceeding planned targets.
“War reserves are filled at a very high level — in some areas at 106%, and in others up to 140%, such as fuel reserves, where we currently have 42,500 tonnes,” he said.
He added that reserves of food, uniforms and footwear were also above 100% of planned levels, saying Serbia had sufficient supplies to sustain both military and auxiliary forces for at least 60 days without domestic food production.
“When we say 100%, it means we are fully ready,” Vučić said.
Possible return of compulsory military service
Vučić said authorities were considering the reintroduction of compulsory military service for a period of 75 days, with a final decision expected in the coming weeks.
He said last year’s military parade had been assessed positively and praised the performance and discipline of Serbian troops over the past year.
“We discussed military service of 75 days. In the next month or two, we will decide whether implementation will begin in December or March,” he said, adding that preparations were under way to equip barracks, medical facilities and recruitment centres.
“We want to be fully ready to provide young people with the best possible conditions during those two and a half months,” he said.
Political and legal issues
Vučić also addressed domestic political developments, saying he could not run for another presidential term under the constitution and had no intention of changing it.
Commenting on recently adopted legal reforms, Vučić said he planned to discuss them with the president of the Constitutional Court, Vladan Petrović, but did not believe there were major constitutional objections.
“What bothers some is the substance, especially those who take instructions from abroad rather than serving their own people,” Vučić said, adding that he regretted the absence of broader public debate during the drafting process.
He said that decisions on whether to sign legislation fell under his constitutional authority.
Remarks on regional tensions
Vučić also commented on nationalist chants and songs reportedly heard after sporting events in neighbouring countries, saying such incidents were not new and that Serbia had grown accustomed to what he described as tolerance of such behaviour in Europe.
“There has always been an attempt, even in former Yugoslavia, to equate Ustasha and Chetnik movements, which have nothing to do with one another,” he said.
The military briefing was led by Serbian Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff General Milan Mojsilović and attended by Defence Minister Bratislav Gašić and senior military officials.
Upon arriving at the Topčider complex, Vučić was greeted by a ceremonial guard and formally received a military report.