Serbia is strengthening its armed forces with military equipment from China, especially air defense systems and drones.

Deputy Prime Minister, Milosh Vučević, who is also the Minister of Defense of Serbia, in an interview with the media affirmed that in terms of bilateral relations between Serbia and China, he distinguishes military cooperation first and economic cooperation as well as numerous investments, which are very important for the country.

Vučević said that efforts to equip and modernize the armed forces are aimed at protection.

China’s President Xi Jinping called for stronger strategic coordination with “steel friend” Serbia when he met Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, in Beijing last week, pledging support for Serbia in maintaining its sovereignty and its earthly entirety.

Vučević indicated that the Chinese FK-3 medium-range anti-aircraft missile system and unmanned aerial vehicles are “without a doubt” among the most important defense systems the country has ever had.

This reinforcement of Serbian army comes at a time of high tensions with Kosovo, a situation which the United States and Russia, which traditionally supports Serbia, are watching carefully.