Compulsory military service is back in Serbia

The Serbian government has supported the reintroduction of compulsory military service, which was abolished in the country 14 years ago.

The government’s website says that compulsory military service for men in the Republic of Serbia will last 75 days.

The government will set up a working group to launch the process of resuming compulsory military service.

According to the plan, Serbian men will perform compulsory military service, which will consist of 60 days of training and 15 days of exercises.

Military service for women will be voluntary and will take place under the same conditions.

Some military experts had previously criticized the plan, saying it would be expensive and that such a short service life would not make a significant contribution to the Serbia’s defense capability.

Nevertheless, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić welcomed the decision as an important step to improve the country’s defense capabilities.

Last week, when announcing his intention to resume military service, Vucic said that Serbia had no intention of attacking anyone, “but we want to ward off those who threaten us.”

Earlier, Defense Minister Miloš Vučević said that the General Staff had submitted an initiative to the President of Serbia, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to withdraw the decision to suspend compulsory military service based on an assessment of the security situation.

‘We need to replenish the reserve. For our security, we need new recruits who will always be ready to defend the country,’ the minister said.

At the same time, Serbia retains professional troops responsible for the main activities of the Armed Forces.

Serbia’s decision coincides with a similar move by neighboring Croatia, a NATO member state that plans to reintroduce compulsory conscription on 1 January 2025.