Serbia openes Israeli drone assembly plant, announcing plans for 3 more
President Aleksandar Vučić outlined plans for a workforce of around 100 and production for Serbia’s military and foreign customers
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić inaugurated a factory to assemble Israeli-designed combat drones, expanding defense cooperation with Israel and announcing plans for at least three more plants across the country.
The project brought together Israeli defense company Elbit Systems and Serbia’s state-owned arms producer Yugoimport SDPR. Vučić outlined plans to employ around 100 people and supply advanced equipment to Serbia’s military and the armed forces of other countries.
He described the drones as capable of flying into buildings and pursuing targets. According to Clash Report, he said they “go through windows and chase the opponent.”
Vučić announced the opening in an Instagram post on Thursday. He said the need to protect confidential production processes prevented him from inviting the press.
The president also outlined ambitions to expand production with Israel, announcing plans for at least three additional factories with Israeli partners elsewhere in Serbia.
The opening followed Vučić’s announcement in April of joint drone production with Israel, aimed at strengthening Serbia’s defenses and expanding arms exports.
The partnership built on earlier Serbian purchases of Israeli military equipment. According to Reuters, Serbia bought Elbit’s PULS artillery systems and Hermes drones for $335 million in early 2025, followed by roughly $1.6 billion in purchases of long-range missiles, drones and electronic warfare equipment that August.