Vucic Opens Serbian Factory to Assemble Israeli-Made Combat Drones

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has inaugurated a factory that will assemble Israeli-made combat drones, part of an effort to strengthen the country's armed forces.

In a social media post on Thursday, Vucic said the facility would employ about 100 people and turn out what he described as the most modern equipment for the Serbian military as well as for the armed forces of some other countries. He did not disclose further details about the plant, saying the press could not be invited because of the confidentiality of the production process.

Vucic had announced in April that Serbia would manufacture combat drones together with Israel. The state arms producer Yugoimport SDPR was reported at the time to be opening a drone plant with Israel's Elbit Systems.

The president said the plans were ambitious, adding that Serbia and its Israeli partners expected to open at least three more factories elsewhere in the country.

Video footage showed Vucic touring the facility, inspecting a drone and briefly operating it. He said the aircraft could fly through windows and pursue a target, calling them highly efficient. He added that warheads would be produced at Serbia's Krusik weapons factory. In another exchange, he was shown listening as an employee explained the drone, remarking that it looked more complicated than he had expected.

The inauguration comes as Vucic faces an early parliamentary election on October 25, a contest that will test his tight grip on power after nearly two years of anti-government protests.

Serbia has moved to modernise its military in recent years, ordering 12 French-made Rafale jets in 2024. Belgrade has also acquired equipment from China and Russia, maintaining close ties with both countries even as it formally seeks membership in the European Union.