Montenegrin Armed Forces modernize amid personnel challenges

Montenegrin Defense Minister Dragan Krapović stated that the Montenegrin Armed Forces (VCG) are in a better position than ever following two decades of independence and significant investments in modernization. Approximately 43 percent of the defense budget is currently directed toward modernizing the military and procuring new equipment.

Despite these advancements, Krapović identified personnel management as a primary challenge. The VCG is currently at 80 percent capacity. While 77 new soldiers were recruited via contract between recent Army Days, 72 individuals left the system during the same period. The Ministry of Defense is working with international partners on projects to attract younger individuals to the defense system to address these staffing shortages, a trend Krapović noted is also affecting other European nations.