Serbia Inaugurates Secret Israeli Drone Assembly Plant

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić inaugurated a new facility for assembling Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on Thursday. The plant, which will remain secret and employ around 100 workers, aims to bolster the Serbian military's capabilities and will produce advanced equipment for Serbia's armed forces and potentially for other countries' militaries.

Vučić announced the opening on his Instagram account, stating that media were not invited due to the "secrecy of the production process." No further technical details about the facility's location or specifications were released. However, the president indicated significant expansion plans, expressing belief that "at least three more factories" will be opened with Israeli partners across Serbia.

This initiative follows Vučić's April statement about Serbia producing combat drones in cooperation with Israel. Regional news outlet BIRN reported in April that the Serbian state-owned arms company Yugoimport SDPR was expected to open a drone factory in partnership with Israel's Elbit Systems. Videos circulating showed the president touring the new plant, examining the drones, and briefly operating one.

The establishment of the drone factory is part of a broader effort by the Serbian government to modernize its military. In 2024, Serbia also signed a deal for 12 French Rafale fighter jets and has acquired weaponry from China and Russia, despite its official candidacy for European Union membership.

The military buildup occurs amid a sensitive political period, with Vučić facing early parliamentary elections on October 25th, which will test his grip on power following nearly two years of anti-government protests.