Air force operating centre in Zemun opens

Belgrade, April 28. 2010 (Serbia Today) - Minister of Defense Dragan Sutanovac and Danish Ambassador to Serbia Mette Kjuel Nielsen attended the opening of the Operating Centre of Command of the Aviation and Antiaircraft Defense in Zemun yesterday. Sutanovac said that the centre has been equipped through a Danish donation worth €650,000. He explained that this centre will have primarily a military use, but it will be also useful for civil aviation. We need safe skies, Sutanovac said noting that the centre will easily locate off-route spacecraft and will especially be useful for the rescue and transportation of people in emergency situations to military and civilian hospitals. The donation is only one of many which Serbia and the Ministry of Defense has received from Denmark, Sutanovac recalled adding that it has financial, as well as humane value since it is intended for those who need such assistance the most. The Minister announced that after Denmark’s prominent participation in last year’s air show in Batajnica, Serbian aero planes will also take part in an air show in Denmark, scheduled for this June, adding that the relations between the two countries will thus be further strengthened. Head of the Defense Command of Denmark Major-General Kurt Mosgard underscored that Denmark is honored that Serbia chose to cooperate with it in several sections of the defense sector. He voiced the hope that the Operating Centre will enable speedier response in crisis situations, emphasizing that he was impressed by the speed and professionalism of Serbian officers participating in the project. Also present at the opening of the Operating Centre were Serbian Army Chief of General Staff Lieutenant-General Miloje Miletic and Brigadier General Ranko Zivak.