Serbia is entering the drone era in partnership with Israel, and Vucic promises the most modern technology. The project is supposed to strengthen the defense and the export of weapons.
Serbia plans to jointly manufacture combat drones with Israel in order to strengthen its defense and support the export of weapons and military equipment, confirmed Serbian President Aleksandar Vučič. TASR writes about it according to Reuters and AFP reports.
The BIRN news portal reported earlier in April that Serbian arms manufacturer SDPR wants to open a drone manufacturing plant together with Israeli company Elbit Systems, which, according to AFP, has faced criticism for its role in Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The Israeli firm would have a 51 percent stake, while Serbia would own the rest, BIRN added.
Drone production plan
Vučič, however, told journalists during a visit to a military unit in Belgrade on Tuesday that it would be an equal partnership. “We’re going to do it together, it’s going to be half-and-half, 50-50, and … we’re going to have the best drones in this part of the world,” the president said.
Vucic did not mention the name of the Israeli manufacturer, did not specify the value of the investment, and did not say when the plant should start operating. Neither the Israeli company nor the Serbian authorities have yet commented on these reports.
Criticism of arms exports
Belgrade has faced criticism in recent months over reports that its arms exports to Israel have increased dramatically since the start of the Gaza war, AFP explains.
The UN special rapporteur for human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, said during a visit to Serbia last month that Belgrade is one of Israel’s “faithful and staunchest allies”. In a June 2025 report, it also included Elbit Systems among the companies profiting from what it called the “ongoing genocide” in Gaza, AFP adds.
However, according to the agency, Vučič nevertheless repeatedly defended the export of weapons from his country and described cooperation with Israel as excellent in the past.
