Serbia Opens Israeli Drone Assembly Plant, Eyes Expansion

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić officially inaugurated a new factory for assembling Israeli-made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on Thursday, September 17. The facility is expected to employ around 100 people and will produce "state-of-the-art equipment" for the Serbian armed forces and potentially for export to other countries.

During the opening ceremony, footage showed Vučić inspecting the new plant, examining drones, and briefly piloting one himself. He described the drones as "extremely effective," noting their ability to enter windows and pursue targets, and expressed satisfaction with the development level achieved.

While specific details about the plant's location and production capabilities were not disclosed, previous reports indicated it is a joint venture between Yugoimport-SDPR and the Israeli company Elbit Systems. Vučić stated that cooperation with Israel is set to significantly expand in the near future, with plans for at least three more factories.

Vučić also observed the production process, listening to explanations from a plant worker and remarking that the operation appeared even more complex than he had anticipated.