Serbia and Israel to Jointly Manufacture Combat Drones, Vucic Announces
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Defense & Technology
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has announced a major defense partnership with Israel, revealing that Serbia will jointly produce combat drones with Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems. The joint venture, structured as a 50-50 partnership according to Vucic, aims to establish Serbia as a regional leader in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology .
“We will be doing it together… 50-50… and we will have the best drones in this part of the world.” — Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia
Vucic candidly acknowledged Serbia’s technological limitations, stating that his country alone “cannot make drones like Israel.” The partnership is designed to bridge this capability gap through technology transfer and shared production .
Joint Venture Structure and Location
While Vucic described the arrangement as a “50-50” partnership, investigative reporting from BIRN and Haaretz indicates the actual ownership structure will see Elbit Systems holding a 51 percent stake, with Serbia’s state-owned arms exporter SDPR (Yugoimport-SDPR) holding 49 percent .
The drone manufacturing facility will be located in the Šimanovci industrial zone, approximately 30 kilometers west of Belgrade. The facility will be situated on property owned by Pink Media Group, the company of pro-government Serbian media tycoon Zeljko Mitrovic .
Drone Specifications and Capabilities
The joint venture plans to produce two distinct types of unmanned aerial vehicles :
| Drone Type | Mission Profile | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Short-range strike drones | Tactical combat missions | Rotary-wing design; capable of carrying heavy payloads |
| Long-range UAVs | Extended operational missions | Operational altitude up to 6 km; superior endurance |
Sources familiar with the project indicate that the long-range drone will surpass the capabilities of Serbia’s domestically produced Pegasus model . The new UAV will feature higher flight altitude and greater operational autonomy.
“That’s the point, because we can’t achieve this on our own. The idea is to acquire knowledge and technology, and Serbian engineers will work on the project.” — Source close to the Serbian arms industry
Engineers from Serbian aircraft manufacturer UTVA, which is owned by SDPR, will participate in the project, facilitating crucial technology transfer to Serbian defense industry personnel .
Strategic Rationale
Vucic’s pursuit of Israeli drone technology is driven by several strategic considerations. The partnership addresses Serbia’s technological gap in advanced UAV development, providing access to cutting-edge Israeli know-how. The acquisition of advanced drones also serves as a counterbalance to regional rivals, with the timing of the announcement coinciding with Croatia’s recent authorization to purchase eight US HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems .
Serbia has already purchased Israeli PULS rocket systems and Hermes 900 reconnaissance drones from Elbit Systems in a deal valued at $335 million, and in August 2025 signed a broader $1.64 billion contract for long-range rocket and artillery systems, drones, and electronic warfare equipment .
Growing Serbia-Israel Defense Ties
The drone manufacturing partnership represents the latest chapter in rapidly deepening defense cooperation between Belgrade and Jerusalem. According to BIRN and Haaretz, Serbian arms exports to Israel have surged 42-fold since 2023, reaching €114 million in 2025 . Most of these exports have been handled by SDPR, Serbia’s state-owned arms exporter.
Analysts suggest the relationship is mutually beneficial. Serbia gains access to advanced technology and knowledge transfer from one of the world’s most sophisticated defense companies. Israel, facing regional instability, secures a reliable military supply chain outside its immediate conflict zone .
Vuk Vuksanovic, a foreign policy lecturer at King’s College London, offered a geopolitical perspective on the partnership: “The Serbian ruling party’s main priority now is staying in power, and to achieve that, it is best not to anger the Americans, especially in the context of recent Trump moves in the global arena.” He described Serbia’s alignment with Israel as a potential “shortcut to the White House” .
Gavran 145 Loitering Munition
Serbia’s defense industry has already demonstrated its growing drone capabilities. At the EDEX 2025 arms exhibition in Cairo, Serbia’s Yugoimport-SDPR presented the Gavran 145 loitering munition, designed for deep strikes. The drone has a range of 150 km, endurance of up to three hours, and a 15 kg warhead. The anti-tank variant is reported to penetrate more than one meter of steel armor behind reactive armor .
Timeline and Implementation
Vucic first announced the imminent opening of a drone factory in early March 2026, stating it could be ready as early as April . The president described the facility as producing “serious UAVs — the most serious in the world” .
While the partnership with Elbit Systems has been confirmed through investigative reporting and Vucic’s public statements, neither SDPR nor Elbit Systems have officially commented on the arrangement .
What Comes Next
As the joint venture moves forward, several developments will be critical to watch:
| Factor | Timeline | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Factory opening | Expected April 2026 | First “serious drone” production facility in Serbia |
| Technology transfer | Ongoing | Serbian engineers to work alongside Elbit specialists |
| Regional impact | Long-term | Potential shift in Balkan military balance |
| Export potential | Medium-term | Serbia could become drone exporter |
Vucic’s announcement marks a significant milestone in Serbia’s defense modernization and its deepening strategic partnership with Israel. For a nation that has long relied on imported military technology, the joint venture represents a leap toward indigenous production capability — though one that depends heavily on Israeli expertise to succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What drones will Serbia and Israel produce together?
The joint venture plans to produce two types of drones: short-range strike drones capable of carrying heavy payloads, and long-range UAVs designed for operational missions at altitudes up to 6 kilometers .
2. Where will the drone factory be located?
The facility will be located in the Šimanovci industrial zone, approximately 30 kilometers west of Belgrade .
3. What is the ownership structure of the joint venture?
According to investigative reports, Elbit Systems will hold a 51% stake, while Serbia’s SDPR will hold 49%. President Vucic has publicly described it as a “50-50” partnership .
4. Why did Serbia choose to partner with Israel?
President Vucic acknowledged that Serbia alone “cannot make drones like Israel.” The partnership provides technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and access to advanced Israeli defense expertise .
5. How has the defense relationship between Serbia and Israel grown?
Serbian arms exports to Israel have increased 42-fold since 2023, reaching €114 million in 2025. Serbia has also signed a $1.64 billion contract with Elbit Systems for rocket systems, drones, and electronic warfare equipment .
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