Turkey, Serbia explore joint military drone production

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on October 11 their nations’ interest in jointly producing military drones.

This discussion took place during Erdogan’s visit to Belgrade, where he highlighted Turkey’s advanced air asset capabilities as a potential foundation for cooperation in defense manufacturing.

Erdogan emphasized the need for collaborative efforts, stating, “Serbia has certain capacities…and as friendly countries, we can develop our capacities together.” This remark underscores the mutual benefits both nations foresee in aligning their military production capabilities.

The backdrop of this announcement is noteworthy. Serbia had previously considered acquiring Turkish Bayraktar drones but canceled the plan in 2023 after Turkey’s drone deliveries to Kosovo, a move that strained relations. Vucic acknowledged this sensitive history, asserting that the delivery of drones to Kosovo was “neither easy nor good news for us and it will affect our relations” with Turkey. Despite this, he expressed optimism about future cooperation, noting, “the Turkish military industry is significantly stronger than ours” and recognizing “room for great cooperation.”

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The leaders’ discussions extended beyond military production to encompass broader geopolitical concerns. Vucic expressed “great confidence” in Erdogan’s commitment to peace and stability in the region, highlighting Serbia’s recent renewal of export licenses to Turkey, which allowed for a substantial shipment of shells.

During Erdogan’s visit, both countries signed multiple agreements spanning trade, energy, and emergency response. They also addressed regional stability, with Erdogan reaffirming Turkey’s commitment to maintaining peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Vucic echoed this sentiment, supporting the territorial integrity of Bosnia and its entity, Republika Srpska.

As the leaders pondered concrete steps to bolster stability in the Balkans, Vucic noted that Erdogan had “many ideas” to explore. “Accordingly, we will try to spread and show somewhat different signs and signals toward Bosnia and Herzegovina, and vice versa to guarantee those who come after us security, peace, and commitment to solving problems, especially economic development,” Vucic stated, signaling a potential shift in regional dynamics through collaborative efforts.