"The Best in the World": Serbia and Israel to Launch Joint Combat Drone Production
Serbia and Israel join forces to co-produce advanced combat drones. President Aleksandar Vučić reveals a strategic partnership between Elbit Systems and SDPR to build "the best drones in the region," marking a massive shift in Balkan defense as Belgrade swaps Soviet-era tech for Israeli innovation.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has announced an ambitious defense partnership with Israel to co-produce attack drones. The move aims to modernize Belgrade's military capabilities and establish the Balkan nation as a regional leader in unmanned aerial technology.
The Elbit Connection
The partnership centers on a strategic collaboration between the Serbian state-owned arms manufacturer SDPR and Israel’s Elbit Systems. According to reports from the Belgrade-based news outlet BIRN:
A Massive Defense Overhaul
The joint venture is part of a broader, multi-billion-dollar effort by Serbia to phase out aging Soviet-era technology, such as the MiG-29, in favor of Western and Israeli systems:
The relationship is not one-sided. Vučić confirmed that while Serbia imports high-end Israeli technology, Belgrade is actively exporting ammunition and other military hardware to Israel. This reciprocal defense trade underscores a strengthening strategic alliance between the two nations amidst shifting global tensions.