Minister of Defence Dragan Sutanovac today stressed that military industry is one of the most important and perspective branches of economy, announcing that the state will keep investing in its development, equipment and staff education.

Visiting the Military Technical Institute (VTI), Sutanovac underlined that in order to further develop the defence industry it is crucial to raise the level of knowledge and the technological basis to a higher level.

The Ministry of Defence and the Serbian government attach great importance to the development of new weapons and military equipment, as well as investment in the military industry as a whole, Sutanovac observed.

He specified that last year the Serbian military industry exported ten times more weaponry and military equipment than in 2007 thanks to considerable joint investment secured over the previous period.

Investment in the VTI over the last several years has multiplied, Sutanovac stressed, announcing that the relevant Ministry will continue investing in the VTI.

We will continue investing in IT structure and projects that can be applied in the Serbian Army, the Minister reiterated, underlining the importance of linking the VTI with the military industry and placing realised projects on foreign markets.

The upcoming international show of weaponry and military equipment “Partner 2011” is important in this respect, he noted.

The VTI hired 39 new young researches and scientists and the plan is to advertise the positions for another 40, Sutanovac observed.

The Ministry of Defence will continue to help take on younger scientific and research staff, as well as work on their professional development and education in Serbia and abroad, Sutanovac stressed.

During his visit to the VTI, the Minister presented Memorial Medals to three VTI employees for their exceptional contribution to the defence system.