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Serbia has announced plans to jointly manufacture combat drones with Israel as part of its broader effort to modernise its defence sector and expand military exports. The announcement was made by Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic during a visit to a military unit, where he highlighted that the country cannot independently develop drones at the level of Israel. The proposed collaboration is expected to follow a 50-50 structure, although key details such as investment value, timeline, and the manufacturer involved have not been officially disclosed. The move aligns with Serbia's ongoing military upgrade strategy.
Serbia has outlined plans to jointly produce combat drones with Israel, aiming to strengthen its defence capabilities and expand its defence export potential. The statement was made by Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic during his interaction with reporters at a military facility in Belgrade. Advertisement
He conveyed that Serbia is working to enhance its drone production capacity but acknowledged that it is not currently capable of matching Israel's technological expertise in this area. He indicated that the planned arrangement would be based on equal partnership, with production responsibilities shared on a 50-50 basis, and added that the joint effort is expected to result in advanced drone systems for the region.
Reports published earlier by a Belgrade-based investigative media outlet had suggested that Serbia's state-owned defence company SDPR was exploring the possibility of setting up a drone production facility in partnership with Israel's Elbit Systems. That structure had been described as giving Elbit a majority stake, though official confirmation has not been provided.
Vucic did not confirm the identity of the Israeli partner, nor did he provide details regarding investment size or the expected operational timeline of the proposed facility. The state defence company SDPR has also not issued any response to media queries regarding the development.
Serbia has been steadily upgrading its military systems, transitioning from older Soviet-era equipment to a mix of defence technologies sourced from Europe, Israel, and China. In previous defence procurements, the country acquired Elbit-made PULS artillery systems and Hermes drones for approximately USD 335 million. Later purchases in the same year included long-range missiles, drones, and electronic warfare systems valued at nearly USD 1.6 billion.
Alongside imports, Serbia has also continued exporting ammunition and other defence equipment, including shipments linked to Israel, as mentioned by the president. The country has additionally diversified its air force fleet by acquiring Rafale fighter jets from France, cargo aircraft and helicopters from Airbus, and missile and drone systems from China.
These defence moves reflect Serbia's broader strategic approach of balancing relationships with NATO member states, its European Union accession ambitions, and long-standing political and cultural ties with Russia, while also maintaining strategic cooperation with China.
Source Reuters
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