Serbian Armed Forces conduct 'Pobednik 2026' tactical exercise

Pobednik 2026 Serbian Armed Forces digital army military exercise Aleksandar Vučić

The Serbian Armed Forces conducted the 'Pobednik 2026' tactical exercise at the Pešter training ground near Sjenica. The maneuver, themed 'Conducting an Offensive Operation,' involved over 2,000 personnel and more than 500 pieces of military equipment, including modernized tanks, MiG-29SM fighter jets, and various missile systems such as the HQ-17.

President Aleksandar Vučić attended the exercise, which featured the first-ever demonstration of an attack using robotic, unmanned, and autonomous systems without direct human involvement in the front line. This included 'robodogs' equipped with grenade launchers and machine guns, as well as various drone types. Vučić emphasized that Serbia is working toward forming a 'digital army' to enhance decision-making speed and reduce soldier exposure to danger.

Additionally, Vučić announced plans to resume mandatory military service for 75 days starting in March of next year, noting that the service would foster responsibility and discipline among youth. Milorad Dodik, attending as a guest, praised the technological advancements and modernization of the Serbian military, stating that the strength of the Serbian army is a source of pride for the Serbian people in the region.

Entities

Aleksandar Vučić · Milorad Dodik · Ministry of Defense of Serbia · Pešter · Pešter training ground · Republic of Srpska · Republika Srpska · Republika Srpska · Serbian Armed Forces · Vojska Srbije

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The exercise aims to improve the training and readiness of commands and units for combat operations. gradskeinfo.rs · tvzonaplus.rs
[● 10 SOURCES] The exercise included modernized tanks, combat aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned platforms. gradskeinfo.rs · tvzonaplus.rs · insajder.net · www.telegram.hr · depo.ba · +2 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Milorad Dodik is among the guests attending the exercise. tvzonaplus.rs
[● 17 SOURCES] The exercise was conducted at the Pešter training ground near Sjenica. gradskeinfo.rs · tvzonaplus.rs · banjaluka.net · insajder.net · www.telegram.hr · +9 more
[● 11 SOURCES] More than 2,000 members of the Serbian Armed Forces participated in the exercise. gradskeinfo.rs · tvzonaplus.rs · bosnainfo.ba · insajder.net · n24.ba · +3 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The exercise involved units from the Land Forces, Air Force, Air Defense, and special forces. gradskeinfo.rs · tvzonaplus.rs · bosnainfo.ba · insajder.net · www.telegram.hr · +1 more
[● 12 SOURCES] Aleksandar Vučić attended the final phase of the 'Pobednik 2026' tactical exercise. gradskeinfo.rs · tvzonaplus.rs · banjaluka.net · n1info.rs · insajder.net · +4 more
[● 10 SOURCES] Over 500 key pieces of military equipment were utilized in the exercise. gradskeinfo.rs · tvzonaplus.rs · bosnainfo.ba · insajder.net · n24.ba · +2 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Serbia is working on forming a digital army to reduce soldier exposure. banjaluka.net · n1info.rs · szmsz.press · panoptikum.mk
[● 6 SOURCES] Mandatory military service of 75 days is planned to resume in March of next year. n1info.rs · szmsz.press · banjaluka.net · panoptikum.mk