As defense ties deepen, Serbia becomes one of Israel's closest allies in Europe

A conference in Belgrade highlights the rapidly deepening Israel-Serbia defense relationship, accelerated by the war in Gaza. Serbia exported €16.3 million in munitions to Israel by mid-2024, rising to €114 million in 2025. A $1.6 billion Elbit Systems deal includes drone production in Serbia. The article notes Serbia's balancing act between Russia, China, and the West, and the strategic significance of the Balkans.

A recent conference at the National Assembly in Belgrade, in which the author participated, highlighted the flourishing and under-reported relationship between Israel and Serbia. The connection has accelerated steeply during the nearly three years of war in the Middle East, at a time of deep strains between Israel and several European countries over the war against Hamas in Gaza. The relationship is not without complexities. Serbia maintains close historic connections to Russia, and President Alexander Vucic seeks an equidistant stance between the US and China. However, the general picture is one of growth and consolidation. Serbia played a vital role in the first months of the war. According to Balkan Insight and Haaretz, Israeli officials contacted Serbian counterparts on October 8, requesting ammunition. The export order was cleared within four days, and munitions were sent to Nevatim air base. By mid-2024, Belgrade had exported €16.3 million worth of munitions, up from €540,000 in 2023. In 2025, exports rose by 140% to €114 million, with 38 Serbian cargo flights reaching Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Serbia's "unwavering support" in February 2024. The defense ties center on a $1.6 billion deal with Elbit Systems, including joint drone production with Serbian state-owned SDPR, and development of AI-powered systems. In 2026, an agreement was signed to facilitate intelligence and defense data exchanges. Serbia gains from the relationship by modernizing its military and drawing tacitly closer to the West, balancing Russian and Chinese influence. The article notes Turkey's increasing defense relationships with Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo, and the potential for the Balkans to become an area of competition between rival trade alliances.