A ceremonial gathering in the amphitheater of the Military Technical Institute (VTI) today marked the 74th anniversary of the existence of this most significant scientific and research institution in the field of defense technologies.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Miloš Vučević emphasized the importance of the Military Technical Institute for the entire defense system and recalled that, thanks to the VTI, more than 1,400 types of weaponry and military equipment are currently in use in the Serbian Armed Forces.
The Minister told the members of the VTI that we live in a time of new challenges that we, as a society and a state, must keep up with, and called on them to continue to follow the latest achievements in science and technology.
– I congratulate the 74th anniversary of the Military Technical Institute and all of you, but also all generations, and all employees who have guarded and developed this prestigious scientific and research institution, to the pride of all of you employees today, but also those who, with their knowledge and their dedication, have made it possible for us to meet today and to be able to analyze and review everything that the Military Technical Institute has done for 74 years – said Vučević.
Minister Vučević emphasized that the data on seven and a half decades of work and development of weapons and military equipment, but also in terms of research activities, is fascinating.
– The fact that you have 24 laboratories, that you have approvals to engage in the most demanding scientific research tasks, gives you the right to understand what the tasks are and what the expectations of the state of Serbia are towards all of you. Thanks to our defense industry, but also to the Military Technical Institute, over 1,400 types of weaponry and military equipment are currently in use in the Serbian Army, while 75 percent of the total weaponry and military equipment used by the Serbian Army is domestically produced, which makes us proud and satisfied – said Minister Vučević.
The Minister said that we understand that circumstances have changed, that we live in a time that brings new content and challenges, and pointed out that as a state and society, we need to keep up with new world phenomena so as not to fall behind.
He emphasized that the state leadership and citizens expect the VTI to understand what is happening in the world and what we need to do to strengthen our defense forces.
– To be strong enough to act as a deterrent to all those who are not well-intentioned towards us – the minister emphasized and expressed his belief that members of the VTI follow the latest scientific achievements.
He emphasized the importance of strengthening the Military Technical Institute, primarily in terms of personnel.
– It will not be easy for us to get the best staff, or to retain the best staff. We cannot realize everything we imagine if we do not have the human potential to do so. From research and scientific work to what the Serbian Armed Forces and other security structures should apply and use on a daily basis in protecting the state and national interests of the Republic of Serbia – said the minister, underlining that in this regard there is no book with “golden solutions” and that joint efforts are needed.
The Director of the Military Technical Institute, Colonel Bojan Pavković PhD, presented current projects and spoke about the prospects for the development of this scientific research institution.
– Today, the Military Technical Institute is the largest scientific research institution in this part of Europe in the field of research and development of weapons and military equipment, the leading scientific research institution in Serbia in the field of defense technologies – said Colonel Pavković.
According to Colonel Pavković, the main success of the VTI in the past year is the 14 new weapons and military equipment being introduced into the armament of the Serbian Armed Forces. This, he emphasized, would not be possible without the support of the Ministry of Defense.
In recognition of business cooperation in the past year, the director of VTI presented plaques to the company “Prvi Partizan” from Užice, the company Teleoptik-Gyroscopes, and the Chinese company Alit. Also, awards and certificates of appreciation were presented to prominent individuals.
The plaque was received in front of Teleoptik – Gyroscopes by Acting General Director Zoran Jarić.
Today’s ceremony was attended by Assistant Minister of Defense for Material Resources Nenad Miloradović PhD, Assistant Minister for Defense Policy Predrag Bandić, Assistant Minister for Budget and Finance Katarina Pavićić, and numerous guests.
The artistic part of the program featured the Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defense “Stanislav Binički” under the baton of Lieutenant Colonel Igor Mitrović.
The Day of the Military Technical Institute is celebrated in memory of 1948, when, following the liberation of the country, the Military Technical Institute of the Yugoslav Army was formed, with the aim of equipping, developing and modernizing the army by relying on its own forces.
Text, video and photos: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Serbia
