Serbia’s Arms Exports ‘Selling Like Hotcakes’

Serbia is a member of the European Union but not of NATO, despite several of its neighbors being members.

With President Aleksandar Vucic’s administration refusing to denounce Russia’s special operation or support Western sanctions against Moscow and advocating for peace, Belgrade has made an effort to mediate between the alliance and Russia.

Recently, Vucic claimed that Serbian weapons are in such high demand worldwide that the Balkan country must purposefully save part of its goods for its own need.

Everyone requires weapons. Everything is being purchased, and everything we produce is in high demand, according to Vucic. “I don’t know how some of this hasn’t shown up on the Ukrainian battlefields yet.”

He said, “Ammunition is selling like hotcakes.

On Tuesday, he spoke at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX), a military exhibition held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The state-owned Yugoimport-Lazar, SDPR’s Lazar 3, Milos, and Milos 2 armored vehicles, the Tamnava multiple rocket launcher system, and the Nora self-propelled howitzer were among the small weapons on exhibit for Serbia during the event. Targeting tools, ballistic protective gear, ammo for rocket artillery, and other goods were also included.

Serbia is the largest arms export market in the Balkans, with a $897 million market value in 2018.

Vucic said Belgrade must keep part of its military goods for its own needs as well, noting that the crisis in Ukraine sees upwards of 50,000 rounds fired every day.

On Tuesday, he spoke at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX), a military exhibition held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The state-owned Yugoimport-Lazar, SDPR’s Lazar 3, Milos, and Milos 2 armored vehicles, the Tamnava multiple rocket launcher system, and the Nora self-propelled howitzer were among the small weapons on exhibit for Serbia during the event. Targeting tools, ballistic protective gear, ammo for rocket artillery, and other goods were also included.

Serbia is the largest arms export market in the Balkans, with a $897 million market value in 2018.

Vucic said Belgrade must keep part of its military goods for its own needs as well, noting that the crisis in Ukraine sees upwards of 50,000 rounds fired every day.

In 1999, when a US-led air blitz destroyed the nation’s infrastructure and cut off Kosovo from Belgrade’s rule as the final act of the disastrous Yugoslav wars, which saw that multiethnic socialist state disintegrate into more than half a dozen states, the nation, then known as Yugoslavia, was the first to experience an offensive attack by NATO. 2008 saw the formal declaration of Kosovo’s independence from Serbia; Serbia does not recognize the action.

On Monday, the anniversary of that declaration’s 15th year, Kosovo’s prime minister, Albin Kurti, told French media he was “quite hopeful” that a deal would be made with Belgrade that would allow for the restoration of relations “this year.” He chastised Vucic, adding that by not denouncing Russia, the Balkan country had become isolated.