10 September 2018 - Montenegro is continuously investing in country resources and the security of its citizens, according to the statement of Montenegrin Prime Minister Duško Marković during the ceremony of the arrival of multi-purpose helicopters in Montenegro.
On September 10, two new multi-purpose Bell 412 EPI helicopters intended for the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Montenegro arrived in Montenegro. These helicopters represent the most important equipment of Montenegrin armed forces since the restoration of independence and confirmation of the country’s determination to strengthen its capabilities within NATO.
According to the statement by the Prime Minister, Montenegro is making an effort towards its status as a responsible NATO member country, and it’s heading in the direction of strengthening the capabilities of its Armed Forces in accordance with the needs of collective security. By working on security issues, Montenegro is unambiguously showing the responsibility for the comfort and security of its citizens, as well as investors, tourists and all those who for any reason visit Montenegro. The Prime Minister also recalled that the procurement of three modern helicopters cost about 30 million EUR and that the aircrafts will be engaged in search and rescue missions, as well as for various types of medical evacuations, and will improve capacities for emergency response, as well as the level of safety of tourists who stay in Montenegro.
During the ceremony, the benefits of Montenegrin NATO membership were also highlighted. According to Prime Minister Marković, NATO benefits include the protection of the state sovereignty and integrity of Montenegrin territory, which is guaranteed by the most powerful and the most developed countries of today.
Chief of the General Staff, Brigadier General Dragutin Dakić also took part in the ceremony, explaining that the procurement project of the helicopters is extremely important and that the type and model of the helicopter that will best answer the security requirements in the entire territory of the country has been chosen in advance. General Dakić noted that the first helicopter shipped on April 13 already this summer had the opportunity to show its capabilities and possibilities for extinguishing the fire, adding that his crew, who had all necessary training in piloting the aircraft in Montenegro and abroad, showed an enviable level of competence.
General Dakić said that our country, as a NATO member, carefully plans and designs capacity development, builds credibility in the Alliance and that the Air Forces of the Montenegrin Armed Forces has significantly increased its capabilities and readiness for carrying out assigned tasks. "In order to raise the capabilities and readiness of our land units, the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Montenegro are working on the procurement of 67 light armored vehicles which will be used by our units. Also, I can say that the donation of light armored motor vehicles for military police units by the Federal Republic of Germany is in the final phase and that we will soon have them in the Armed Forces of Montenegro. The Navy of the Armed Forces of Montenegro is carrying out the process of conversion of rocket gunboats into patrol boats, which will strengthen our maritime capabilities and presence at sea. Therefore, the Armed Forces of Montenegro keep up with the development of modern technologies and challenges, all with one goal - to successfully respond to the missions and tasks, thus enabling our citizens to feel safe and protected," Chief of the General Staff, Brigadier General Dragutin Dakić concluded.
The ceremony was attended by a large number of officials, including Minister of Defence Predrag Bošković, representatives of the diplomatic corps and other top officials.
The contract for the purchase of three helicopters, worth about 30 million EUR, was signed on 30 January 2018. Helicopters flew from Prague, where they were put together in the Bell Centre for Europe after being shipped from the United States. Commander of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Montenegro, Lieutenant Colonel Nenad Pavlović, and Major Darko Pavlović operated the new aircraft on their way to Montenegro.
