Serbia opens Israeli drone factory amid ownership questions

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has inaugurated a new factory in Belgrade for the production of Israeli-technology drones. While the project was initially presented as a joint venture between the Serbian state-owned Yugoimport-SDPR and the Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems, official corporate registries reveal a different ownership structure.

The facility is registered under SDS Technologies, a company formerly known as Cupa Enterprises. Corporate records indicate that SDS Technologies is owned by a British entity, Liberty Blue International Ltd (formerly Cupa Limited).

Notably, Zion Amir, a prominent Israeli lawyer who represents Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before the Israeli Supreme Court, is listed as one of the three directors of SDS Technologies. His involvement was not mentioned by President Vučić or the Israeli Ambassador, Avivit Bar-Ilan, during the opening ceremony. Other directors identified include Maria Kardamaki and George Antoine Elghossain.

President Vučić stated the factory has created 100 jobs and will supply modern equipment to the Serbian military and potentially other nations. The project comes amid Serbia's upcoming elections.