Serbia's army proposes bringing back the draft as tensions continue to rise in the Balkans
ABC News
Serbia's military wants to reintroduce obligatory military service as tensions continue to rise in the Balkans
BELGRADE, Serbia -- Serbia should reintroduce compulsory military service, the defense ministry said Thursday, as tensions continue to escalate in the Balkans.
The ministry said in a statement that the proposal for service of up to four months is made “in order to increase the defense capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces, through the rejuvenation and improvement in the training of the active and reserve forces.”
It said the proposal by the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff comes after "a detailed consideration of the general security situation and current challenges faced by the Republic of Serbia as a militarily neutral country.”
It added that the proposal was forwarded to Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, for his consideration. It did not specify the age span of the potential draftees.
Serbia suspended mandatory military service in 2011 amid the push to professionalize the armed forces. But the country now appears close to bringing back the draft after a long campaign in favor of it, despite concerns that the government may struggle to foot the bill for such a massive recruitment.
