Serbia and Israel Agree to Jointly Manufacture Combat Drones
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced a strategic partnership with Israel’s Elbit Systems to jointly manufacture combat drones in Serbia. The deal aims to produce tens of thousands of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, including loitering munitions, within two years. This agreement significantly modernizes Serbia’s military, diversifying its defense suppliers beyond traditional partners like Russia and China. While Belgrade frames the move as enhancing national security, it has drawn regional scrutiny and criticism due to Elbit’s involvement in Gaza and concerns over rising tensions in the Balkans.
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Serbia's President Orders Creation of Attack Drone Units to Modernize Military
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has directed the Serbian army to establish specialized units equipped with attack drones as part of a broader initiative to modernize the country's armed forces. Speaking in Belgrade, Vucic emphasized the need to replace obsolete Soviet-era technology with advanced systems capable of meeting the demands of modern warfare. This directive follows significant recent military acquisitions, including Rafale jet fighters from France, Hermes drones and PULS artillery from Israel, and various equipment from China. The move coincides with the announcement of a new joint Serbian-Israeli drone manufacturing plant. While Serbia maintains a policy of military neutrality, balancing ties with NATO, the EU, Russia, and China, its rearmament efforts have drawn criticism from neighboring countries such as Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, who view the buildup as a potential threat to regional stability. Vucic denied these claims, asserting that the digitization and enhanced interoperability of the Serbian army will position it as a capable force within the region. In 2026, Serbia allocated 3.3% of its GDP to defense expenditure, supporting a 22,500-strong army.
AL-MONITOR: The Pulse of The Middle EastSerbia Agrees to Joint Combat Drone Production Deal with Israel
Serbia has finalized an agreement with Israel to jointly manufacture combat drones, aiming to significantly enhance its military capabilities and domestic weapons production. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced the partnership, stating that the collaboration would be split 50-50 in terms of effort, though reports indicate Israeli firm Elbit Systems will hold a 51% stake in the new facility operated by Serbia's state arms producer, Yugoimport SDPR. Vucic emphasized that while the drones will not be inexpensive, they will be highly efficient against armored vehicles and represent the most advanced technology in the region. The deal is part of Belgrade's broader strategy to modernize its armed forces, which recently included the purchase of French Rafale jets. Despite formally seeking European Union membership, Serbia maintains strong military ties with China and Russia and has pledged to remain outside of NATO. This initiative underscores Serbia's commitment to diversifying its defense suppliers and developing indigenous technological expertise through international cooperation.
AP NewsIsrael and Serbia Partner to Produce Tens of Thousands of UAVs
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced a significant new security cooperation agreement with Israel, aimed at establishing a large-scale unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production facility in Serbia. Under the terms of this strategic partnership, Israel will provide advanced technological knowledge and expertise, while Serbia will contribute the necessary industrial infrastructure for manufacturing. The ambitious project targets the production of tens of thousands of drones within a two-year timeframe. The inventory is expected to include various types of unmanned systems, notably including suicide drones, also known as loitering munitions. President Vucic stated that the resulting drones would be the most advanced in the region, highlighting the strategic importance of this defense initiative. This collaboration marks a deepening of military and technological ties between Jerusalem and Belgrade, leveraging Israeli innovation in drone technology alongside Serbian industrial capacity. The announcement underscores a growing trend of nations seeking to bolster their domestic defense capabilities through international partnerships, specifically in the realm of autonomous warfare technologies. The deal reflects broader geopolitical shifts and the increasing demand for cost-effective, high-tech military solutions in contemporary conflict scenarios.
ynetnews - חדשותSerbia to Co-produce Drones with Israeli Firm Elbit Systems
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced plans for Serbia to jointly produce combat drones with Israel's Elbit Systems, aiming to strengthen national defenses and boost military exports. While Vucic described the partnership as a 50-50 collaboration to create top-tier regional drones, earlier reports from the BIRN news website indicated that Elbit Systems would hold a 51% stake in the new manufacturing plant. The deal has drawn scrutiny due to Elbit Systems' involvement in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, with UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese previously citing the company among those profiting from the violence. This agreement follows significant prior defense purchases by Serbia from Israel, including $335 million worth of PULS artillery systems and Hermes drones in early 2025, and a $1.6 billion acquisition of missiles and electronic warfare equipment later that year. Serbia continues to diversify its military suppliers, buying Rafale jets from France and equipment from China, while balancing its EU aspirations with traditional ties to Russia and strategic partnerships with China.
dailysabahSerbia and Israel to Jointly Manufacture Combat Drones, Serbian President Says
In a significant development for international defense cooperation, the President of Serbia has announced that Serbia and Israel will engage in the joint manufacturing of combat drones. This strategic partnership marks a deepening of military-industrial ties between the two nations, highlighting Serbia's efforts to modernize its armed forces through advanced technology transfers and local production capabilities. The agreement implies a collaborative framework where Israeli aerospace expertise will be combined with Serbian manufacturing infrastructure. While specific details regarding the types of drones, production volumes, and financial terms were not immediately detailed in the brief report, the announcement underscores a growing trend of non-NATO European states seeking diverse defense suppliers. This move is likely to attract attention from regional neighbors and major global powers, given the sensitive nature of unmanned aerial vehicle technology. The collaboration could potentially enhance Serbia's domestic defense industry while providing Israel with a strategic foothold in the Balkans defense market. The announcement serves as a clear signal of strengthening bilateral relations beyond traditional diplomatic channels, extending into high-tech military sectors.
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