Serbia has opened a factory to assemble Israeli military drones, marking a new stage in its rapidly expanding defence relationship with Israel. The facility will supply drones to the Serbian military and potentially other countries, while at least three more factories with Israeli partners are reportedly planned.
President Aleksandar Vučić has said the country wants to use Israeli technology and expertise to develop its own drone industry and reduce its reliance on foreign imports and allow Serbia to produce military technology for export. The opening was also conducted under a veil of secrecy. Journalists were not invited to inspect the facility, with Vučić citing the confidentiality of the production process.
The plant is particularly notable because it is not simply a Serbian weapons facility purchasing foreign technology: it is being established specifically to assemble Israeli-made military drones, strengthening defence-industrial cooperation between Belgrade and Israel. Vučić inaugurated the factory alongside Israel’s ambassador to Serbia, although the Israeli company involved was not officially named at the opening. Previous investigations by BIRN and Haaretz identified Elbit Systems as Serbia’s Israeli partner in the drone-manufacturing process.
During a visit to Serbia earlier this year, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese described Belgrade as one of Israel’s 'most steadfast and determined allies', despite international calls to restrict weapons transfers during the Gaza war.
