Serbia installs China’s FK-3 air defense system, making it the first European country to deploy this weapon

Serbia has officially installed an FK-3 air defense missile system purchased from China, making it the first European country to deploy this weapon.

The Serbian Ministry of Defense announced the deployment of the Chinese-made FK-3 medium-range air defense weapon system, the news website Defense Blog reported.

“By upgrading the air force and air defense with the new FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system, the airspace control and defense system in the Republic of Serbia has been significantly improved,” reads a recent statement from the Serbian Ministry of Defense.

It said the system includes a command vehicle, missile launchers, radars and logistical support vehicles.

The Serbian Ministry of Defense also published detailed pictures of the FK-3 from different angles.

According to a statement from the Serbian Ministry of Defense, Captain Stefan Manić, commander of the FK-3 missile battery, described the system as “a historic moment in air defence”.

The Defense Blog reported that the crews of the FK-3 had undergone intensive training in China. Captain Maniq admitted that the training process had been “very complex”.

“All members of the unit have successfully completed comprehensive training that enables them to operate and maintain the missile system independently,” he said.

The FK-3 system reflects the strengthening of defense ties between Serbia and China.

Serbia has intensified its trade and military relations with China despite repeated concerns from the European Union in this regard. Serbia is officially a candidate country for European Union membership, but its foreign policy is not in line with the EU’s main concerns about China and Russia, which it does not sanction over its aggression in Ukraine. /The Geopost/