Top General Says Serbian Military Ready for Renewed Conscription

Serbia's military leadership has signaled a significant shift in defense policy, with the Chief of Staff, General Milan Mojsilovic, announcing the armed forces' readiness to reinstate mandatory military conscription. This move, detailed in an interview with Vecernje Novosti, suggests a strategic re-evaluation of the nation's defense posture and a potential return to a model that was suspended, though not abolished, years ago.

General Mojsilovic outlined the extensive preparations already undertaken, indicating a serious commitment to this potential policy change. "Normative documents, training plans, handbooks have been prepared along with barracks and new equipment for the first generation of recruits," he stated. This comprehensive approach suggests that the logistical and infrastructural groundwork is largely complete, awaiting only the final legislative approval.

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Normative documents, training plans, handbooks have been prepared along with barracks and new equipment for the first generation of recruits.

The establishment of a dedicated Defense Ministry center for records and conscription, alongside efforts to bolster healthcare capacities for conscripts, further underscores the thoroughness of the planning. Mojsilovic expressed confidence that once the draft laws are passed, the process of receiving the first cohort of conscripts could be initiated swiftly, with a potential start date of next spring.

The suspension of conscription occurred under a previous government, and its potential restoration under the current administration marks a notable policy divergence. While the specifics of the draft laws remain to be seen, the readiness expressed by the military's top general indicates a strong push towards reintroducing mandatory service, reflecting a broader national security strategy.

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Draft laws have been written and once they are adopted we will very quickly be able to receive the first generation of conscripts on active service. We have indications that this will happen next spring.