Serbia and Israel Launch Joint Venture to Produce 80,000 Combat Drones

Serbia and Israel have agreed to establish a joint venture to produce military drones, with the partnership structured as a 50-50 collaboration.

“Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, answering a journalist’s question on Tuesday about last week’s BIRN/Haaretz investigation on Serbia’s plans to produce drones with the Israeli arms giant Elbit Systems, said that he is proud of the partnership”

Balkan Insight

President Vucic announced the plan, saying we cannot produce drones as Israel can, but I am proud that we will do it together.

Balkan Insight

The project aims to manufacture up to 80,000 drones within roughly two years.

Elbit Systems is expected to hold a 51 percent stake, with Serbia's SDPR controlling the remainder.

The drone venture is part of Serbia's broader effort to modernize its military.

Serbia has already purchased Elbit's PULS artillery systems and Hermes drones for $335 million.

Haaretz

The country has also bought France's Rafale jet fighters and cargo aircraft and helicopters from Airbus.

The partnership with Elbit Systems comes amid growing international scrutiny.

“Creating new perspectives since 2009 April 14, 2026 at 4:02 pm Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic gives a speech in Belgrade, Serbia on April 01, 2025”

Middle East Monitor

Elbit has faced criticism for its role in Israeli military operations in Gaza and the West Bank.

Serbia's arms exports to Israel have skyrocketed 42-fold since 2023.

Serbia's drone initiative fits within a broader regional trend of Eastern European countries building drone capabilities.

Poland's WB Group Warmate program has been supplied to Ukraine.

The Defense Post

Ukraine represents the most accelerated case, with wartime drone production built around co-production.