Serbia to hold drills with NATO countries despite its moratorium

 Serbia will hold the Platinum Wolf joint military exercise with a number of NATO countries from June 16 to 30 despite the moratorium previously adopted by the country’s government on any international drills, the Serbian Defense Ministry said in response to an inquiry by TASS on Wednesday.

"The March 16, 2023 decision by the government of the Republic of Serbia approved holding the Platinum Wolf 2023 international tactical drills which excludes this exercise from the moratorium on planning, preparing and holding drills with foreign partners domestically and abroad. The reason for this decision is the fulfillment of obligations taken on by the Republic of Serbia in connection with the Serbian army’s participation in multinational operations," the ministry’s statement said.

"The Platinum Wolf 2023 international tactical drills will be held in the Republic of Serbia from June 16 to 30, 2023 with several partner countries with which the Serbian army participates in multinational operations. The goal of this exercise is to maintain the established level of interoperability of Serbian army units for participation in multinational operations. We reiterate that the February 27, 2022 decision by the Republic of Serbia’s government which suspends and postpones all events related to drills with foreign partners will remain effective henceforth," the Serbian top brass specified.

The Platinum Wolf exercise has been held in central Serbia at the Yug military base not far from the town of Bujanovac since 2014. The drills aim to improve the operational interaction and mutual understanding between partner countries at a tactical level during peacekeeping operations. Troops will also work on tactical maneuvers and actions with the use of non-combat gear.