Serbia Opens Factory for Israeli Combat Drones

Serbia has inaugurated a new assembly plant for combat drones manufactured by the Israeli company Elbit Systems. The facility, a joint venture with the Serbian state-owned arms producer Yugoimport SDPR, will produce unmanned aerial vehicles for the Serbian army and potentially for export to other nations. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced the opening, stating that the plant will employ approximately 100 people.

Vučić indicated that this facility is the first of at least four such plants Serbia plans to establish with Israeli partners. The opening event was not open to the press, citing the confidential nature of the production process. Video footage released by Vučić showed him touring the facility and demonstrating a drone's capabilities, which he described as highly effective. He also noted that the drone's warheads will be manufactured at the Serbian state-owned arms factory in Krušik.

The establishment of this drone assembly plant is part of a broader Serbian military modernization program. In 2024, Serbia also agreed to purchase 12 French Rafale fighter jets and continues to acquire military equipment from China and Russia.