BELGRADE (Serbia), July 25 (SeeNews) – Serbia expects to receive for free 10 BRDM-2 amphibious reconnaissance and patrol vehicles from Russia, Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic has said.
"We are due to receive ten of those vehicles as a gift," Vucic said in a video file published by public broadcaster RTS on Wednesday.
Serbia has so far received six BRDM-2s fitted with with a gyroscopic stabilisation device, thermal imaging cameras and reinforced armour, with the crew able to stay inside the vehicle round the clock, Vucic said.
"This is a great support and significant strengthening of the combat capabilities of the Serbian army," he added.
In December 2016, the Serbian government said Russia had agreed to donate six MiG-29 fighter jets to Serbia's Air Force. Moscow had also agreed to extend to 14 years the service life of the Serbian Air Force fleet of MiG-29s, including the donated aircraft.
Serbia maintains close political ties with Russia and refuses to join the Western economic sanctions against Moscow. The country is holding EU accession talks but unlike other Western Balkan states, it does not aspire to join NATO.