Threat from the South on the Hungarian border? Serbia builds drone, robotised army and shuns NATO membership

Serbia builds a 21st-century army but shuns NATO membership: combat drone production and sweeping robotisation get underway.

Drones and robots for the Serbian military

Serbia will prioritise the development of robotic technology for its armed forces and the procurement of new weaponry in the coming period, President Aleksandar Vučić announced in Belgrade on Wednesday after consultations with the defence ministry and army leaders. The previous day, he revealed that Serbia will jointly produce combat drones with Israel.

The president stated that he had proposed a comprehensive robotisation strategy, along with the creation of a battalion-level unit equipped with robotic platforms. Preparations would also be made to stand up sub-units armed with various attack drones, while the integration of drones across other military units would continue.

Mr Vučić stressed that Serbia remains committed to preserving peace and stability, but holds this to be feasible only with adequate military strength. In his view, the security situation has grown more complex since the start of the year, chiefly owing to evolving military cooperation between Kosovo, Albania and Croatia.

The head of state also noted that Belgrade’s room for diplomatic manoeuvre has narrowed, yet Serbia will continue to safeguard its interests while maintaining engagement with the European Union, the United States, China, and Russia.

Serbia to produce combat drones in partnership with Israel

Serbia will manufacture combat drones in collaboration with Israel, President Aleksandar Vučić declared on Tuesday. He added that the partnership would yield “the best drones in this part of the world” from facilities in Serbia.

Responding to journalists’ questions at a ceremony marking the day of the Serbian army’s special military police unit, the Kobraks, Mr Vučić said the venture would produce highly effective tools against armoured vehicles and personnel, using Israeli technology. Production will operate on a 50-50 ownership split, allowing Serbia to acquire technological know-how and innovation, in the president’s estimation.

They did not deliver weapons to Israel

Vučić roundly dismissed media claims that arms or ammunition shipments had departed from Serbia to Israel or other countries. He remarked that he hoped not merely one such shipment but several each day would follow, as this would attest to the success of Serbia’s defence industry and the bolstering of its capabilities.

The Serbian leader had already announced in March that an advanced drone production plant—the first of its kind in the country—would soon open in partnership with a foreign firm. He noted that the army and several private companies had previously assembled smaller drones, but the new facility would represent “the most serious world-class production”.

Belgrade has acquired Chinese, Russian, and French military hardware in recent years, while officially pursuing European Union membership as its strategic goal. It steadfastly refuses, however, to join NATO, which bombed the country in 1999 to end the Kosovo war.

If you missed our previous articles concerning Serbia:

• Serbian President Vučić erupts at Péter Magyar: name the ‘godfather’ and don’t investigate!
• Budapest–Belgrade railway: quality complaints over track-bed stone supplied by PM Orbán’s father’s company