Serbia and Elbit Systems open new drone factory in Belgrade

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has inaugurated a new factory in Belgrade's Makiš neighborhood dedicated to producing Israeli-designed drones. The facility is a partnership between the Serbian state-owned defense group Yugoimport SDPR and the Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems.

The factory, operating under the name SDS Technologies, is expected to create approximately 100 jobs. While the primary goal is to supply modern equipment to the Serbian military, officials indicated the site is intended to serve as an export platform for other nations. The opening ceremony was held privately, with authorities citing the sensitive nature of the project as the reason for not inviting the press.

Reports indicate that Zion Amir, a prominent Israeli lawyer who represents Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, serves as one of the three directors of SDS Technologies. While President Vučić previously stated that ownership would be shared equally between Serbia and Israel, business registry details suggest the company is linked to London-registered CUPA Limited, which was recently renamed SDS Technologies.