Serbia opens factory to assemble Israeli-made drones

What Happened

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic inaugurated a factory to assemble advanced Israeli-made drones on Thursday, according to a social media post by Vucic. The facility is operated jointly with an unnamed Israeli company and will employ around 100 workers, producing equipment for the Serbian Armed Forces and the armies of other countries, Vucic said. He did not disclose the factory’s location or the Israeli firm involved, citing confidentiality of the production process. Investigative outlet BIRN and Israeli newspaper Haaretz have identified Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems as Serbia’s partner in the drone-manufacturing process. Vucic said at least three more factories will be opened across Serbia with Israeli partners. BIRN and Haaretz reported Serbian arms exports to Israel rose from 1.4 million euros ($1.6 million) in 2023 to 42.3 million euros ($48.5 million) in 2024.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The opening signals deepening military-industrial ties between Serbia, a non-NATO Western Balkan state pursuing military neutrality, and Israel. It occurs amid international scrutiny of Israeli defence firms over operations in Gaza and the West Bank. The reported sharp rise in Serbian arms exports to Israel and the UN Special Rapporteur's statement place Serbia among Israel's close partners at a time when some countries are restricting weapons exports over the Gaza war.

Watch For

Future factory openings — Vucic said at least three more are planned; whether Elbit Systems confirms its role or the location is disclosed; updated arms export data from BIRN, Haaretz, or official Serbian and Israeli sources; and any EU, UN, or regional reaction to Serbia's military cooperation with Israel.