Serbia's Acquisition of Chinese Missiles: A Strategic Shift

On March 12, 2026, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed that Serbia's Air Force had acquired Chinese CM-400AKG air-to-surface missiles, marking Serbia as the first European operator of this weapon. The CM-400AKG missiles, capable of striking targets up to 400 kilometers away, have been adapted for use on Serbia's Soviet-made MiG-29 fighter jets. This acquisition is part of a broader $17 billion defense upgrade strategy aimed at countering perceived threats from neighboring NATO countries, particularly in light of recent military alliances formed between Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo.

NATO ally Serbia admits to buying missiles from ChinaThe Straits TimesBloomberg

Serbia's military spending has been allocated at approximately 2.6% of its GDP for 2026, reflecting a significant investment in defense capabilities. In addition to the CM-400AKG missiles, Serbia has recently purchased the FK-3 air defense system, CH-92A combat drones from China, and 12 Rafale fighter jets from France's Dassault Aviation.

The Straits TimesNATO ally Serbia admits to buying missiles from ChinaBloomberg

The missile purchase has drawn criticism from Croatia, a NATO and EU member, which views the acquisition as a destabilizing factor in the Balkans. Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic expressed skepticism about the necessity of Serbia's missile capabilities, stating he could not foresee a scenario where Serbia would need to deploy such advanced weaponry against its neighbors. Plenkovic indicated that he would discuss Serbia's military developments with NATO partners, emphasizing the need for regional stability.

BloombergNATO ally Serbia admits to buying missiles from ChinaThe Straits Times

President Vucic has justified the missile acquisition by citing a perceived military threat from the aforementioned alliance of Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo. He claimed that Serbia's defense buildup is a necessary response to what he describes as hostile intentions from these countries. However, he provided no concrete evidence to substantiate these claims. Vucic maintains that Serbia seeks to balance its military neutrality with ongoing cooperation with NATO, participating in joint drills while avoiding formal membership in the alliance.

BloombergNATO ally Serbia admits to buying missiles from ChinaThe Straits Times

While Vucic has stated that Serbia has a "significant number" of CM-400AKG missiles and plans to acquire more, the exact number of missiles purchased and their cost remain undisclosed. Reports indicate that Serbia received a small discount compared to what Pakistan paid for similar missiles, but no specific figures have been released. Additionally, the broader implications of Serbia's military purchases on regional security dynamics remain unclear, with differing perspectives on the potential for an arms race in the Balkans.

NATO ally Serbia admits to buying missiles from ChinaThe Straits TimesBloomberg

• “We already have a significant number of those rockets and we’ll have even more,” — Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia

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• “Plenkovic said in Zagreb that he couldn’t envisage a situation where Serbia would need to use hypersonic missiles against neighboring countries, adding that he’d discuss Belgrade’s acquisition of the “serious weapons” with Croatia’s NATO partners.” — Andrej Plenkovic, Prime Minister of Croatia

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• “They’re terribly expensive and terribly efficient.” — Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia

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As Serbia continues to navigate its complex relationships with NATO and Russia, the implications of its military acquisitions will be closely monitored by regional and international observers.

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