Description
As a military institution, the General Staff originated in the early 19th century in Prussia, when it was first formed as part of reforms aimed at adapting the military organization to changes in warfare brought about by the emergence of large national armies and the rapid development of military technology. Since that time, it has participated in the creation and development of the concept of defence for the entire country, drawing up war plans, conceiving and developing military doctrine and strategy, planning the development, organization and structure of the defence system and mobilization readiness, organizing war planning, and coordinating the development of infrastructure and the arrangement of the state territory for waging war.
In the Serbian Armed Forces, the Main General Staff was formed on February 5, 1876. Its first chief was General František Aleksandr Zach, and over the course of 150 years, the General Staff was headed by some of the most significant figures in Serbian military history – General Jovan Mišković, Dukes Radomir Putnik, Živojin Mišić and Petar Bojović, Colonel Generals and National Heroes of Yugoslavia Arso Jovanović, Koča Popović, Peko Dapčević, Ljubo Vučković and Rade Hamović.
The General Staff played a special role in preparing the defence of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia against NATO aggression in 1999.
The General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces is the highest expert and staff body for the preparation and use of the army in times of peace, emergency and war. It proposes and operationalizes decisions for the preparation and use of the Serbian Armed Forces within the competence of the President of the Republic of Serbia and the Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces. Today, the General Staff of the Serbian Armed Forces is a military institution formed on modern foundations in the service of the defence of the Republic of Serbia and its citizens.
Professional cooperation: Colonel Prof. Dalibor Denda, PhD, Strategic Research Institute, University of Defence. Artistic realization: MA Jakša Vlahović, Academic Graphic Artist
