Serbia and NATO have begun their first joint military exercise at the “South” base and the “Borovac” training ground near Bujanovac. The exercise, named “NATO–Serbia”, will last until May 23 and includes around 600 members of the Serbian Armed Forces, together with soldiers from Italy, Romania and Turkey. It is organized by the Serbian Land Forces Command and NATO’s Joint Force Command in Naples.
The activities are focused on tactics, techniques and procedures used in peace-support operations. According to the announcements, the training includes base security, checkpoint operations, crowd control and combat in urban environments. The exercise is led by Colonel Branislav Stevanović, deputy commander of the Third Army Brigade, while military planners and observers from several countries are also present, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Romania, the United States, Turkey, France and Montenegro.
The Serbian Ministry of Defence stated that the exercise is being conducted on the basis of a Serbian Government conclusion and represents a continuation of practical and transparent cooperation between Serbia and NATO within the Partnership for Peace programme. The ministry stressed that the cooperation is taking place on an equal basis and with respect for Serbia’s military neutrality. It also said the aim is to preserve peace and stability in the region, improve the operational capabilities of the armed forces and strengthen trust and mutual understanding.
The exercise carries broader political significance because Serbia remains officially militarily neutral while continuing security cooperation with NATO. Serbia has been part of the Partnership for Peace programme since 2006, but Belgrade continues to balance its relations with NATO, Russia and other partners, including China. After Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, Serbia announced a halt to military exercises with international partners, although exceptions were later made, including the “Platinum Wolf” exercises with the United States and other NATO members.
The new exercise once again opens the question of how Serbia maintains its policy of military neutrality while building practical military cooperation with Western partners. Serbian authorities present the activity as part of international cooperation aimed at improving the capacity of Serbian commands and units to perform a wide range of tasks, including participation in peacekeeping operations, while also confirming Serbia’s readiness to cooperate with partners and contribute to regional peace and stability.
