The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, inaugurated a plant for assembling Israeli-made drones in this Balkan country on Thursday. The aim of this initiative has been announced as strengthening Serbia's military force.
Details of the New Plant
Vučić announced last April that Serbia would produce military drones in collaboration with Israel. According to local media reports, Serbia's state weapons manufacturer, Yugoimport SDPR, is set to establish a plant for drone production in cooperation with Elbit Systems.
In an Instagram post, Vučić announced that this plant will employ about 100 people and will produce "the most modern equipment" for the Serbian army and the armed forces of some other countries. No further details about the plant have been provided, and Vučić stated that due to the "confidentiality of the production process," he was unable to invite journalists.
Serbia's Future Plans
Vučić wrote in his post: "Our plans are very ambitious." He also added that the country intends to establish at least three more plants across Serbia in partnership with its Israeli counterparts.
Videos posted on Instagram show Vučić visiting the plant and examining and working with a drone. In the video, he said: "Now you can see how the drone is used and how it works. They can pass through windows and track the enemy, and they are very efficient."
Vučić also listens to an explanation from a Serbian employee about the drone in another video and responds, "This device seems even more complex than I expected."
The President of Serbia is on the eve of early parliamentary elections on October 25, which could test his power after nearly two years of anti-government protests.
Serbia has also ordered 12 Rafale jets from France in 2024 to modernize its fleet. Vučić's government is seeking to strengthen the country's military and has purchased military equipment from China and Russia while maintaining close relations with both countries and officially seeking membership in the European Union.
Source: abcnews.com
