Vucic: Serbian army has maintained and advanced its operational capabilities

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday the Serbian Armed Forces had maintained and advanced their operational capabilities in the past year.

He said this was the conclusion of a meeting he had held with military top brass earlier in the day.

"We have improved them significantly, but we have paid a high price for that financially. But we will pay a much higher one this year and next year," Vucic said during a static display of arms and military equipment at the Topcider army barracks in Belgrade.

He said weapons were in high demand in the international market and that the presidents of two friendly states had this morning made requests for Serbia to sell ammunition to their countries.

When asked if Serbia was now a military power, Vucic responded that he did not like saying that.

"We are small and weak, but we are too responsible and serious now, and always capable enough of safeguarding our territory," he said.

He said not many countries in the region were militarily stronger than Serbia.

"Romania and Hungary are stronger, but no one else is stronger or equally strong," he said.