Selim Ibraimi- Serbia has become almost a regional power. After more than two decades of NATO military air campaign, another concern has been raised by Serbia’s neighbors.
Croatia sees concerns and threats from Serbia to security in the Balkans. Croatia is a NATO member state. It has decided to notify the alliance members about Serbia’s military purchase. Serbia has bought Chinese supersonic missiles. This was stated by Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic a few days ago.
The trilateral pact between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo has become a pretext for Belgrade to launch a new propaganda campaign. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said on Thursday that Belgrade is closely monitoring military cooperation between Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo.
“They are waiting for a favorable moment. We are preparing for their attack,” Vučić said in an interview with the national television channel RTS. “We have Chinese hypersonic air-to-ground missiles with a range of up to 400 kilometers,” Vučić added.
In response, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said the thesis is completely fabricated for domestic political purposes. “Neither Croatia, nor Kosovo, nor Albania threatens anyone’s territorial integrity.” The photos began circulating on social media earlier this week. They showed missiles believed to be Chinese-made CM-400AKG missiles. These missiles were attached to Serbian MiG-29 aircraft.
“We have things we don’t show,” said President Aleksandar Vučić. “We have a significant number of these missiles, and we will have even more,” he added.
Serbia has armed itself with the latest military technology. It took advantage of this connection between the three friendly states. The technology comes from France, China, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, etc.
Serbia has become the first user of Chinese drones in Europe since it purchased CH-92 and CH-95 unmanned aerial vehicles.
Also in January 2025, Serbia announced that Chinese-made FK-3 air defense systems are in service with the Serbian Air Force.
Serbia is a non-NATO country participating in NATO’s Partnership for Peace. Serbia’s recent purchases leave the militaries of neighboring NATO member states far behind. This situation even exposes them to risks.
Over the past week, it was reported that planes from Israel to Serbia and vice versa have been flying non-stop. This has given rise to reports that weapons have been transported from Serbia to Israel. These weapons are meant to meet the military needs of the Israeli government against military targets in Iran.
However, a paradox has emerged here. Some time ago, in 2023, Serbia ordered Shahed missiles from Iran. Serbia’s double game does not end there.
Serbia, in an agreement with the Israeli government, has signed a contract reportedly worth up to $1.6 billion, with Elebit Systems as Serbia’s main supplier.
Israel will supply Serbia with various types of state-of-the-art weapons. These include long-range, high-precision missile systems (PULS). They will also provide Hermes 900 combat drones with artificial intelligence and reconnaissance, as well as electronic warfare systems.
Serbia’s recent moves this year should not surprise us. All Serbian programs for the army are defined in the military and national security strategies.
Serbia’s military strategy is officially defined in two main documents. The first is the National Security Strategy adopted by the Serbian Parliament on December 27, 2019. The second is the 2020 National Defense Strategy.
It is evident from the published documents that Serbia aims to build an army. This army should be capable of dominating the armies of neighboring states.
In this regard, President Vučić announced concrete measures to achieve self-reliance. This followed a meeting of the National Security Council on January 5 this year in Belgrade.
“We must rely on ourselves. If they come from the region against us, no one will help us,” he said.
Serbia has also signed a military agreement for the purchase of French Rafale F4 military aircraft.
The first aircraft is expected to arrive in the next three years. Serbia cooperates with Russia despite the focus on China, Israel, and the EU. They work together to purchase helicopters and other equipment necessary for the Serbian army. According to data from TradingEconomics, Serbia’s defense spending reached 2.32 billion US dollars in 2024, considered the highest in the Balkans.
Serbia is showing military ambitions with its recent purchases and trade with other countries. Analysts suggest it aims to use military capabilities against neighboring countries. Particularly, it poses a threat to Kosovo.
US congressmen and senators have written a letter. They requested action from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They urged that the US not limit the US military presence in Kosovo. They emphasize the high level of possible destabilization from outside the region.
The US has removed the radical former leader of the Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, from the blacklist and sanctions. At a time of global oil crisis and war in Iran, thoughtless actions can have consequences. These consequences include impacts in the Balkans.
Serbia and other countries in the Balkans have been armed with modern weapons. These supplies make the region at high risk of military incidents.
The latest report by the newspaper Le Monde shows how much Serbian influence has expanded beyond the region. According to the newspaper, Serbia has become the main base for Russian intelligence services. They use this base to carry out sabotage operations in Europe.
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