On March 28, 2024, Serbia held a significant military parade in the capital, Belgrade, marking what officials claim is the largest display of military strength in the nation’s history. The event featured approximately 10,000 troops, a variety of tanks, missile systems, and fighter jets, highlighting Serbia’s military capabilities. President Aleksandar Vucic reviewed the parade, emphasizing the importance of this show of force in asserting Serbia’s independence and sovereignty while deterring potential foreign aggression.
The parade unfolded in the New Belgrade district, where columns of troops marched past enthusiastic crowds waving national flags, and aircraft flew overhead. The event showcased a mix of domestically produced military equipment alongside advanced weaponry sourced from various countries. This included rocket launchers from Israel, drones from the United Arab Emirates, tanks from Russia, and anti-aircraft systems from China. Such diversity reflects Serbia’s complex foreign relations, particularly its close ties with Moscow and Beijing, even as it pursues membership in the European Union.
Among the standout features of the parade was the Israeli PULS system, a versatile rocket artillery platform capable of launching various munitions over distances of up to 300 kilometers (approximately 185 miles). This range positions it to reach major capitals across the Balkans. Additionally, the parade included a surprise appearance by a pair of Rafale fighter jets from the French air force, part of an order for 12 aircraft that Serbia expects to receive in the coming years.
Despite the impressive display, critics argue that the event served more as a political tool for Vucic than a genuine demonstration of military prowess. The president’s government has faced increasing challenges from student-led protests and mounting international scrutiny regarding his authoritarian governance. Opposition leaders accused the administration of using the military as a political prop, with reports that some state employees were pressured to attend the parade and transported in numerous buses.
Notably, hundreds of university students and other opposition supporters, who have protested against corruption for over ten months, were barred from joining the parade spectators by riot police. These protests began in November 2022, following a tragic incident in which a concrete canopy collapsed at a renovated train station in Novi Sad, resulting in the deaths of 16 individuals. This tragedy sparked a nationwide movement demanding justice for the victims and accountability for corruption-fueled negligence.
Vucic has declined to meet the demand for early parliamentary elections from student protestors, instead intensifying the crackdown on dissent. The anti-government protests have consistently drawn hundreds of thousands of participants in recent months, reflecting widespread discontent with the current administration.
