Serbia stages massive military parade, described as 'country's biggest display of army strength'

Published connected 20/09/2025 - 18:41 GMT+2 •Updated 19:53

Serbia staged a large-scale subject parade successful Belgrade connected Saturday, showcasing tanks, rocket systems, and combatant jets, successful a show of nan Western Balkan nation's multi-pronged overseas argumentation balancing EU aspirations pinch arms deals spanning France, China, nan United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel and Russia.

Ten 1000 subject troops marched done nan New Belgrade neighbourhood of nan Serbian capital, arsenic crowds waved nationalist flags and craft flew overhead successful what nan authorities said was a ceremony of nan Day of Serb Unity, Freedom and nan National Flag.

The machinery showcased ranged from domestically produced weapons to those supplied internationally, unveiling drones from Israel and nan United Arab Emirates.

The parade besides showcased tanks purchased by Russia and anti-aircraft systems from China, reflecting Belgrade's cordial relations pinch Moscow and Beijing.

At nan aforesaid time, President Aleksandar Vučić and nan SNS-led authorities person many times stated that they want Serbia to subordinate nan European Union. 

Two important pieces of instrumentality included a versatile Israeli-made rocket artillery platform, which is tin of launching a scope of munitions pinch varying payloads and ranges up to 300 kilometres.

Another was nan French Air Force's Rafale combatant jets, a multi-purpose craft of which Serbia ordered 12.

Officials described nan arena arsenic Serbia's biggest show of service spot yet, and Vučić said nan parade emphasised nan country's expertise to take sides its independency and sovereignty, and enactment arsenic a deterrent against overseas aggressors.

Opposition leaders, connected nan different hand, opportunity nan parade was little astir showcasing nan spot of nan country's military, but much astir bolstering Vučić's rule.

Several assemblage students and different guidance supporters, who person staged 10 months of anti-corruption protests, were prevented by riot constabulary from joining arsenic spectators.