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Serbia Launches Drone Factory with Israeli Defense Firm Elbit

4/7/2026

Summary

Story summary

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic announced a drone factory co-owned by Israeli Elbit Systems and Serbia's SDPR, with Elbit holding 51%.
The facility aims to produce drones for short- and long-range missions and may open by April.
The partnership marks rising defense ties, as Serbian arms exports to Israel have soared 42-fold since 2023.
Analysts say the collaboration aims to strengthen Serbia's geopolitical position amid domestic dissatisfaction with Vucic's administration.

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Story summary

Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic announced a drone factory co-owned by Israeli Elbit Systems and Serbia's SDPR, with Elbit holding 51%.
The facility aims to produce drones for short- and long-range missions and may open by April.
The partnership marks rising defense ties, as Serbian arms exports to Israel have soared 42-fold since 2023.
Analysts say the collaboration aims to strengthen Serbia's geopolitical position amid domestic dissatisfaction with Vucic's administration.