Serbia has opened a new facility to assemble advanced drones made by an Israeli defence company, with the equipment expected to be supplied to the Serbian military and armed forces in other countries.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić inaugurated the factory on Thursday alongside Israeli Ambassador Avivit Bar-Ilan. He said the facility would employ about 100 workers and produce advanced military equipment.
Vučić also announced plans to establish at least three more factories across Serbia in partnership with Israeli companies.
The Serbian president did not reveal the location of the factory or the Israeli company involved, citing the confidentiality of the production process. However, previous investigations by BIRN and Israel's Haaretz newspaper identified Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems as Serbia's partner in the drone-manufacturing project.
Vučić said the factory was intended to strengthen Serbia's military capabilities and help maintain peace and stability by deterring potential aggressors.
Serbia, which is not a member of NATO, has invested heavily in its armed forces as part of its policy of military neutrality.
The country's growing defence cooperation with Israel has attracted scrutiny. BIRN and Haaretz reported that Serbian arms exports to Israel increased from €1.4 million in 2023 to €42.3 million in 2024.
During a visit to Serbia earlier this year, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese said Belgrade remained a strong ally of Israel, while international calls continued for restrictions on weapons exports over the war in Gaza.
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