Serbian president confirms his country owns Chinese supersonic missiles after photo leak
The Serbian president acknowledged the country's possession of Chinese-made supersonic missiles following a leak of photographs showing the weapons attached to fighter jets.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has publicly confirmed that Serbia possesses Chinese-made supersonic surface-attack cruise missiles. This statement follows the leakage of photographs which appeared on social media and defense blogs, showcasing the missiles attached to Serbian MiG-29 fighter jets. Vucic highlighted that Serbia has a significant stockpile of these missiles and intends to increase their numbers, emphasizing their effectiveness in military operations.
In his remarks, President Vucic described the Chinese supersonic missiles as 'extremely effective' and acknowledged their high cost, although he refrained from divulging specific details about their capabilities. The leaked images reportedly display CM-400AKG cruise missiles, which are thought to be an export variant of China's YJ-12 missiles, known for their near hypersonic speeds. The public confirmation raises questions about Serbia's military strategy and its growing partnerships with countries like China in defense procurement.
This development could also have implications for regional security dynamics in the Balkans, particularly given the existing tensions in the area. As Serbia enhances its military capabilities with advanced technologies, the country's increasing reliance on foreign military equipment might alter its defense posture and might provoke reactions from neighboring countries and international stakeholders concerned about arms proliferation and regional stability.