Serbia will allocate 100 million euros for the development of the state-owned defense company Milan Blagojevic - Namenska in Lucani, which produces gunpowder, rocket fuel and other components for the defense industry. This was stated by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić during a meeting with workers at the plant.
„We want to technologically modernize the company in order to ensure a qualitative leap - faster and more significant progress in the future. This is a key factory for us, because everything you do and produce here directly contributes to strengthening the defense system of the Republic of Serbia and helps us maintain peace“, Vučić said.
The funds will be used exclusively for the development of new projects and technological improvements. "We have approximately EUR 100 million that we are ready to give you. But if there are no projects and we do not know what to do, the money will not help us. We do not want to spend it on increasing liquidity or paying off old debts - there are other mechanisms for that. These funds should ensure rapid and significant progress in the future," the president stressed.
Vučić also reported that after a period of stagnation, the company's export situation had improved. He said he did not expect further problems with international supplies. "Our army is placing increasingly large orders and we will ensure that the warehouses are cleared and that there will be no security or other problems. I ask you to strictly follow all safety protocols," he added.
The state-owned company Milan Blagojevic - Namenska is one of the key enterprises in Serbia's defense industry. The plant employs approximately 1,300 people, and approximately 85% of its production is exported to over 30 countries. The company produces nitrocellulose, various types of gunpowder and rocket fuel, fuel charges, combustible materials, nitroglycerin and other chemical components used in the defense industry.
Previously, the Serbian president said that Belgrade does not intend to start military actions against other countries, but will be ready to repel any possible attack. According to Vučić, the country seeks to maintain peace, while at the same time strengthening its own defense capabilities. He also noted that Serbia makes its own decisions on the development of its armed forces and does not intend to coordinate its defense policy with other countries, despite claims by neighboring countries of military superiority and concerns of their leaders about the new weapons of the Serbian army.