Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has revealed further details about a planned joint drone production facility with Israeli defense company Elbit, saying Serbia intends to sell surplus drones to foreign markets once domestic military needs are met.
Vučić said the joint facility is expected to begin operations between September 15 and 20, following the finalization of the agreement between Serbia and Elbit.
Speaking in Priboj, he said drones produced at the facility would first be allocated to the Serbian Armed Forces, while remaining production capacity would be offered to international customers.
“The drones that we do not sell to our army, the market surplus, we will sell elsewhere. I can tell you who they are intended for, but I won’t,” Vučić said, adding that there was already significant demand for the systems.
He said the prospective export market includes countries that are not directly involved in an ongoing war but are located close enough to conflict zones to be seeking additional military capabilities.
“Those who cannot buy from Israel can buy from Serbia,” Vučić said, describing the arrangement as beneficial because Serbia would obtain technology transfers while also generating revenue through defense exports.
The Serbian president’s comments come as Belgrade seeks to expand its domestic defense industry and strengthen cooperation with international arms manufacturers.
Vučić has also recently confirmed that Serbia is finalizing a separate agreement to acquire additional military equipment from China, underlining Belgrade’s continued efforts to diversify its defense partnerships.
The planned Elbit facility would represent another step in Serbia’s push to develop domestic production capabilities in the drone sector, while potentially positioning the country as a regional exporter of unmanned military systems.
