Serbia Confirmed as Buyer in Elbit’s $1.63B Arms Deal
Recent reporting confirms that Serbia is the undisclosed European customer in Elbit Systems’ $1.63 billion arms contract.
BELGRADE / TEL AVIV – Recent reporting confirms that Serbia is the undisclosed European customer in Elbit Systems’ $1.63 billion arms contract, featuring drones, precision missiles, electronic warfare systems, and command-and-control platforms.
Elbit had previously announced the deal without naming the recipient, citing a confidentiality request from the buyer.
A security source told Calcalist that Serbia’s Ministry of Defense aims to significantly upgrade the country’s operational capabilities, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Scope of the Deal
According to public disclosures and media reports, the package includes:
- Hermes 900 drones, one of Elbit’s largest UAV systems
- Long-range precision missiles
- Electronic warfare (EW) systems and signal intelligence capabilities
- Command-and-control (C2) platforms and battlefield management systems
Elbit’s official release notes that the contract is for “a range of defense solutions” to be delivered to a European country, aligning with this reported package.
Strategic and Regional Implications
This deal is one of the largest known arms agreements between Israel and a European country. It underscores Serbia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military arsenal, moving beyond older systems toward more advanced and integrated technologies.
The inclusion of drone systems, EW capabilities, and advanced command systems suggests Serbia intends not just incremental upgrades, but a substantial boost in surveillance, autonomy, and networked warfare capabilities.
For the Western Balkans, the deal may shift the balance of military-technological power, prompting neighbors and regional actors to reconsider their own procurement and alliance strategies.
