Serbia opened a drone assembly facility in cooperation with an Israeli company, with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic inaugurating the operation on Thursday. The plant is expected to employ approximately 100 workers and manufacture advanced unmanned systems for both the Serbian Armed Forces and military forces from other nations.
Vucic announced ambitious expansion plans, stating that at least three additional factories will be established across Serbia through partnerships with Israeli firms. However, he did not reveal the facility’s specific location or identify the Israeli company involved, citing confidentiality concerns related to production processes. Journalists were excluded from the opening ceremony.
Investigative reporting has previously identified Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems as Serbia’s manufacturing partner in this initiative. Elbit has faced criticism internationally regarding its involvement in operations within Gaza and the West Bank.
Serbia’s military modernization efforts, including the drone factory, are framed as necessary to maintain the country’s strategic neutrality in the region. As a non-NATO country, Serbia has prioritized military investments to strengthen its defensive capabilities and deter potential threats. The nation’s defense relationship with Israel has grown significantly, with arms exports to the country increasing substantially in recent years. International observers have noted Serbia’s close alignment with Israeli interests, particularly in light of global concerns regarding weapons transfers amid regional conflicts.
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