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Armed Forces

Following the cessation of the union of Serbia and Montenegro, various changes in the Serbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije, VS)  took place. After the loss of the Montenegrin units, the Serbian military leadership declared its firm intention to work towards the creation of well-equipped and trained all-volunteer armed forces by the year 2010. For the purpose, a complete restructuring of all three branches of the VS is envisaged, involving the establishment of new units, and the acquisition of modern military equipment. The first completely professional unit was launched in September 2006. 

Currently, VS consists of the following 3 branches: Land Forces (Kopnene Vojska, KoV), Air Force and Air Defence Force (Vozduhoplostvo i Protivozduhoplovna Odbrana, ViPO), and naval force. The Land Forces include infantry, and mechanised units, artillery, engineering units, while the ViPO comprise air defence, and aviation units.

Peacetime service obligation begins at the age of 17 and lasts until the age of 60 for men and 50 for women. Under a state of war or impending war, the obligation can begin at the age of1 6 and be extended beyond the age of 60.