Story perspectives

Serbia, Israel to Build $1.63 B UAV Plant by 2026

8/10/2026

Summary

Vucic Launches UAV

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced a UAV factory with Israeli firm Elbit Systems, to be inaugurated September 15-20 2026.
Elbit will own 51% and SDPR 49% of the plant.
The plant will produce short-range armed drones, develop longer-range systems, and operate under a $1.63 billion five-year contract.
The agreement, announced during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Belgrade, provides technology transfer and local European manufacturing.

Summary

Albanese Names Elbit

UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese named Elbit Systems profiting from the Gaza war in a June 2025 report.
Serbia’s Foreign Ministry called the remarks “inappropriate interference.”
Spain cancelled a €700 million Elbit missile contract after an arms-trade embargo on Israel.
Serbia’s weapons exports to Israel rose 42-fold since 2023 to €114 million by end-2025, mainly via SDPR.

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Vucic Launches UAV

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced a UAV factory with Israeli firm Elbit Systems, to be inaugurated September 15-20 2026.
Elbit will own 51% and SDPR 49% of the plant.
The plant will produce short-range armed drones, develop longer-range systems, and operate under a $1.63 billion five-year contract.
The agreement, announced during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Belgrade, provides technology transfer and local European manufacturing.

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