Serbia will jointly produce combat drones with Israel, President Aleksandar Vucic said in remarks reported by Tanjug, as the Balkan country seeks to expand its military and weapons output. In the reporting, Vucic framed the effort as a bid to gain know-how and build domestic capability rather than rely only on finished imports.
According to Tanjug, Vucic said the joint program would deliver “the best drones in this part of the world.” He also said the drones would not be cheap but would be “highly efficient in destroying armored vehicles,” while he did not provide specific details of how production would work, the report said.
Tanjug reported that Vucic told listeners, “We don’t know how to make drones as Israel does.” In the same remarks, Vucic said he was “proud of that,” and added that Serbia and Israel would “do it together,” with production split “half-half, 50-50,” according to the report.
In those remarks, Vucic also said Serbia would “get innovation and (educate) our people who will be able to do it in the future,” as part of the partnership, Tanjug reported.
Separate from the Tanjug reporting, Serbia’s BIRN said Yugoimport SDPR, the country’s state arms producer, would open a drone plant with Elbit Systems. BIRN reported that Elbit Systems will own 51% of the future plant, while the remaining stake would be held by Serbia, though Vucic did not spell out additional production specifics in the earlier Tanjug account.
The drone plan comes as Vucic’s government seeks to strengthen Serbia’s military, including through purchases aimed at modernizing equipment. Serbia ordered 12 French-made Rafale jets in 2024, according to the AP report.
The AP report also said Belgrade has acquired military equipment from China and Russia. It said Serbia maintains close ties with both countries despite pursuing European Union membership, while also pledging to stay out of NATO, which bombed Serbia in 1999 during the conflict over Kosovo.