Koprivica: Those responsible for its decades-long collapse speak about the unpreparedness of the protection and rescue system

The alleged unpreparedness of the system is being discussed today by representatives of political structures that bear responsibility for the decades-long collapse of protection and rescue capacities, said State Secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) Petar Koprivica, reacting to the claims of European Union MP Nikola Zirojević.

As he pointed out, regarding "another in a series of malicious public statements by Zirojević, in which he attempts to question the preparedness of the protection and rescue system for the upcoming fire season", they are obliged to inform citizens of the facts "that best refute his malicious and politically motivated interpretation of reality".

"The alleged unpreparedness of the system is being spoken about today by representatives of political structures that bear responsibility for the decades-long collapse of protection and rescue capacities. Montenegro once had more serious aviation capacities for firefighting, including firefighting aircraft that were eventually alienated, sold, shut down or put out of service without adequate replacement by the former regime to which Nikola Zirojević now belongs. This is a legacy that has been left behind," says Koprivica.

He adds that, unlike such an attitude towards the state, this Government, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Directorate for Protection and Rescue are doing exactly the opposite, renewing, strengthening and modernizing the state's capacities.

"The government has adopted the information from the Ministry of the Interior, which created the prerequisites for initiating the procurement procedure for two modern multi-purpose aircraft and two multi-purpose helicopters. These are aircraft that will be used for aerial firefighting, search and rescue, medical evacuation, transport of people and equipment, assistance to the population and response to emergency situations. This represents one of the greatest strides in strengthening the aviation capacities of the protection and rescue system in the recent history of Montenegro. At the same time, the engagement of a firefighting aircraft with a capacity of eight tons of water has been secured, which has been in Montenegro since June 1 and already represents a significant reinforcement of national capacities. In addition, it is expected that two Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft from the Ministry of the Interior will be in full operational function by the end of the month," Koprivica points out.

As he said, numbers are the best answer to political constructs.

"During the 2025 fire season, the water discharge capacity in one burst was approximately 4,5 tons. Today, thanks to the measures taken, the available capacity is 11 tons of water per burst, and after the commissioning of two additional Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft, it will be increased to approximately 17 tons per burst. Therefore, the capacity of aerial fire response will be almost four times higher than the previous year.

In addition to the capacities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Air Force of the Army of Montenegro is also being further strengthened. The Ministers of Defense of Montenegro and the Federal Republic of Germany signed an intergovernmental agreement under which Montenegro will acquire four new multi-purpose H-145M helicopters manufactured by Airbus Helicopters. These aircraft can be used for search and rescue, medical evacuation, transport, reconnaissance, support for field operations and action in crisis situations. Montenegro's membership in the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism has also been secured, making our country part of the most important European system of mutual assistance in crisis situations. Therefore, a serious question arises: who cares about the fact that Montenegro today has many times stronger capacities than last year and all previous ones for at least two decades? Who cares about strengthening institutions ahead of the fire season? And why is there an attempt to spread the narrative that the country is unprepared right before the start of the season, at the very moment when capacities have been significantly increased?" he said.

He adds that he is particularly concerned about the possibility that such public appearances are not just part of the usual political polemic, but part of a broader pattern of hybrid action aimed at creating citizens' distrust in state institutions.

"We do not want to believe that anyone is preparing the political terrain in advance for possible arson, nor that any political actor has connections with individuals who would be willing to endanger forests, property, and the lives of citizens for political gain. The state has faced this fire season more prepared than the previous one. Capacities are greater, international support mechanisms are stronger, and investments in aviation resources are the largest in recent history. Fewer than 360.000 people visited the communist-ruled island in the first five months of 2026, a decrease of 58,4 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the agency," it concludes.