Serbia will introduce the first use of Chinese robots in the country’s military within two weeks, President Aleksandar Vučić said on Saturday in Šabac, where a robot factory was officially opened.
The factory was built through a partnership between two Chinese investors, Minth and AGIBOT.
“You will see them in action in 15 days. I am proud to announce this to you. You will see them not only walking, but also using weapons—very serious weapons,” Vučić said during his visit to the factory.
He added that the robots intended for use by the Serbian military are currently being tested in Šabac.
Vučić emphasized that the robot is equipped with cameras and sensors that help it prepare, adapt, and navigate the terrain.
The humanoid robot factory in western Serbia is the first Chinese factory of its kind on the European continent. Serbian officials expect the European Union to be the primary market for its products.
The factory began operations in February this year, and Vučić has already indicated that the robots could be used by the Serbian military.
During his visit to the factory, the Serbian president said that, before being deployed by the military, the robots must undergo extensive testing.
“Because there can be no mistakes. And you will see them in action—there will be no mistakes,” he stressed, adding that engineers have adapted the software for military use and developed a remotely controlled weapon that is “capable of carrying out significant attacks against enemy forces.”
According to Vučić, the plan is for the robots to carry machine guns, rocket launchers, and other weapons on their backs.
The robot factory is located within the facilities of Minth Group, which already operates in Serbia’s automotive industry. The project was implemented in partnership with the Chinese company AGIBOT, which specializes in artificial intelligence and robotics.
AGIBOT announced in February this year that it would initially produce between 1,000 and 2,000 robots annually, while Vučić said at the factory’s opening that he “hopes that more than 5,000 robots will be assembled and eventually produced every year.”
He said Serbia is becoming a pioneer in Europe in the mass production of humanoid robots and that the country will acquire expertise that it will be able to transfer both to the region and to Europe.
Although Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership, the country has increasingly turned toward China in recent years, with the leaders of both countries emphasizing that China and Serbia are bound by an “ironclad friendship.”
In addition to economic and infrastructure cooperation, Serbia is also strengthening military cooperation with China through the purchase of Chinese weapons and joint military exercises.
The European Union and the United States have repeatedly warned Serbian officials about the risks associated with deepening military cooperation with China.
