Combat drone production: Serbia and Israel plan joint plant with Elbit Systems

Serbia planned a joint combat drone project with Israel, as President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday. The move came as Serbia worked to expand its armed forces. It also aimed to raise local weapons output. Vucic said Serbia expected strong results from the partnership, despite limited domestic experience in advanced drone building.

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Vucic said, "we will have the best drones in this part of the world", according to Tanjug. Vucic added the drones would not be low-cost. Vucic said they would be effective against armoured vehicles, the report said. Vucic did not provide technical or timeline details for the production plan.

Serbia combat drones plan with Israel

Vucic said, "We dont know how to make drones as Israel does.\" Vucic also said, \"I am proud of that plan, we will do it together, it will be half-half, 50-50.\" Vucic said Serbia would gain innovation. Vucic said Serbia would train people to make drones later.

Serbia combat drones plant with Elbit Systems

Serbia’s BIRN news service reported that Yugoimport SDPR would open a drone plant with Elbit Systems. The report said Elbit Systems would own 51 per cent of the future plant. The report described the project as a new industrial step for Serbia’s state arms producer.

Serbia combat drones and wider military upgrades

Vucic’s government worked to upgrade Serbia’s military in recent years. Serbia ordered 12 French-made Rafale jets in 2024. The purchase was presented as part of fleet modernisation. Belgrade also acquired military equipment from China and Russia, alongside other procurement moves.

Serbia combat drones policy and NATO stance

Serbia kept close ties with Beijing and Moscow. This continued even as Serbia formally sought membership in the European Union. Serbia also pledged to stay out of NATO. NATO bombed Serbia in 1999, to stop a war in Kosovo.

The planned drone cooperation with Israel fitted Serbia’s broader effort to expand defence capacity. Reports described shared production and technology transfer as key parts. Details on timing and output remained unclear in public statements. Serbia’s recent arms purchases and long-held security positions continued to shape the context.

With inputs from PTI