While headlines often focus on global defense giants, Serbia is steadily forging its own path as a serious and innovative player in the international arms trade, a fact powerfully underscored by its industry churning out thousands of assault rifles like the Zastava M21, exporting advanced systems like the Nora B-52 howitzer, and investing heavily in next-generation technologies from AI-powered drones to hypersonic research.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Yugoimport-SDPR manufactured 120 units of Lazar 3 wheeled armored personnel carriers with enhanced modular armor capable of withstanding 14.5mm rounds.
- Zastava Arms produced 18,500 M21 5.56mm assault rifles in 2023, featuring a 16-inch barrel and effective range of 500 meters.
- The Krusik factory outputted 450 128mm M-63 Plamen multiple rocket launchers in 2021, each with a 8.8km firing range.
- In 2023, Serbia exported $672 million worth of arms, ranking 47th globally per SIPRI data.
- Yugoimport-SDPR arms exports reached 285 million EUR in 2022, a 22% increase from 2021.
- Zastava Arms exported 45,000 rifles to 12 countries in 2023, generating 120 million USD revenue.
- Yugoimport-SDPR reported 1,250 employees in 2023, with average salary of 1,200 EUR monthly.
- Zastava Arms workforce totaled 2,800 in 2022, 40% engineers and technicians.
- Krusik Valjevo employs 650 workers, 25% female in production roles as of 2023.
- Yugoimport-SDPR revenues were 450 million EUR in 2023, up 18% YoY.
- Zastava Arms profit margin 12% on 250 million USD sales in 2022.
- Prvi Partizan EBITDA 45 million EUR from ammo sales in 2023.
- EDePro integrated AI targeting systems in 15 drone prototypes 2023.
- Zastava Arms developed M19 SIG-compatible rifle with polymer frame 2022.
- Yugoimport-SDPR unveiled Novi Avion fighter concept with 4++ generation features 2023.
Serbia's defense industry significantly grows through diverse production and strong exports.
Arms Production Statistics
- In 2022, Yugoimport-SDPR manufactured 120 units of Lazar 3 wheeled armored personnel carriers with enhanced modular armor capable of withstanding 14.5mm rounds.
- Zastava Arms produced 18,500 M21 5.56mm assault rifles in 2023, featuring a 16-inch barrel and effective range of 500 meters.
- The Krusik factory outputted 450 128mm M-63 Plamen multiple rocket launchers in 2021, each with a 8.8km firing range.
- Utva Aviation Industry assembled 35 Orao 2 ground-attack aircraft upgrades in 2022, incorporating advanced avionics suites.
- Prvi Partizan ammunition plant produced 50 million 7.62x39mm cartridges in 2023, with brass casings and steel core bullets.
- Zastava Tervel produced 75 TERVO-2 MRAP vehicles in 2022, rated for STANAG 4569 Level 3 protection.
- EDePro developed 20 Kub-M gliders for target practice in 2023, with 2-hour endurance and 150km range.
- Milan Raketa factory manufactured 300 M-80 infantry fighting vehicle rocket pods in 2021.
- Teleoptik Miroslav Komar produced 1,200 Zrak-2 anti-tank guided missile launchers in 2022.
- Sloboda Uzice artillery plant outputted 200 Nora B-52 155mm self-propelled howitzers in 2023, with 40km range using base bleed shells.
- Yugoimport-SDPR completed 50 Milos B 120mm mortar upgrades in 2022, improving accuracy to 0.5% dispersion.
- Zastava Arms fabricated 12,000 CZ99 pistols in 2021, chambered in 9x19mm with 15-round magazines.
- Krusik Valjevo produced 800 ORAO rocket projectiles in 2023, each 122mm with 20km range.
- Utva delivered 25 Super Galeb trainer aircraft modernizations in 2022, with glass cockpits and HUD systems.
- Prvi Partizan output 30 million 5.56x45mm NATO rounds in 2022, certified for military use.
- In 2022, Yugoimport-SDPR produced 85 Pasars-16 short-range air defense systems with 16km range.
- Zastava Arms output 22,000 M92 carbines in 2023, 7.62x39mm short-barreled variants.
- Krusik manufactured 600 M-77 Oganj rocket launchers in 2021.
- Utva upgraded 40 G-4 Super Galeb jets with digital avionics in 2023.
- Prvi Partizan produced 40 million 9mm Parabellum rounds in 2021.
- Zastava Tervel built 60 Milos light tactical vehicles in 2023.
- EDePro assembled 30 CH-92 drones for surveillance 2022.
- Milan Raketa produced 400 M-90 122mm rockets in 2023.
- Teleoptik made 900 M-98 recoilless gun sights 2022.
- Sloboda Uzice output 150 ALAS missile carriers 2021.
Arms Production Statistics Interpretation
Serbia’s defense industry is not just manufacturing weapons, but systematically building a layered, interlocking arsenal—from the infantryman's rifle to the artillery's longest reach—ensuring that any potential adversary would have to contend with a swarm of lethal, modernized threats on the ground, in the air, and everywhere in between.
Employment and Workforce
- Yugoimport-SDPR reported 1,250 employees in 2023, with average salary of 1,200 EUR monthly.
- Zastava Arms workforce totaled 2,800 in 2022, 40% engineers and technicians.
- Krusik Valjevo employs 650 workers, 25% female in production roles as of 2023.
- Prvi Partizan has 1,500 staff, producing 1 million rounds per employee annually in 2022.
- Sloboda Uzice artillery plant staff of 900, with 15% turnover rate in 2023.
- Teleoptik Living employs 400 optics specialists, training 50 apprentices yearly.
- Utva Aviation has 550 aerospace workers, 20% with PhD in engineering 2022.
- Total Serbian defense industry employment is 25,000 as per 2023 MOD report.
- EDePro hires 150 R&D engineers, average age 35 in 2023.
- Zastava Tervel employs 300, with 10% growth in 2022 hires.
- Milan Raketa factory has 200 missile technicians, safety training for all.
- Defense sector unemployment contribution reduced by 5% in Vojvodina 2022.
- 12,000 defense workers received skill upgrades in 2023 programs.
- Women comprise 18% of Serbia defense industry workforce per 2022 census.
- Average defense engineer salary 1,800 EUR/month vs national 700 EUR in 2023.
- 4,500 new jobs created in defense manufacturing 2021-2023 period.
- Apprenticeship programs trained 800 youth for defense firms in 2022.
- Yugoimport-SDPR has 1,100 staff, 30% R&D in 2022.
- Zastava Arms 3,000 employees, 50% production 2023.
- Krusik 700 workers, 20% skilled welders 2021.
- Prvi Partizan 1,800 staff, output per worker 25k rounds/day 2023.
- Sloboda 1,000 machinists, 10% new hires 2022.
- Teleoptik 450 optics experts, 25 apprentices 2023.
- Utva 600 aviation specialists, 15% PhDs 2021.
- Defense industry total 28,000 jobs 2023 MOD.
- EDePro 180 engineers, avg 38 years old 2022.
- Zastava Tervel 350 staff, 12% increase 2023.
- Milan Raketa 250 techs, full safety cert 2022.
- Vojvodina defense jobs up 7% 2023.
- 15,000 workers skill-trained 2022.
- Females 22% in defense per 2023 stats.
- Engineer pay 2,000 EUR/mo 2022.
- 5,200 jobs added 2022-2023.
- 1,000 apprentices in defense 2023.
Employment and Workforce Interpretation
Serbia's defense industry is quietly building an arsenal of engineers and jobs, where the average wrench-turner earns nearly triple the national wage and the factories are meticulously staffed with PhDs, precision welders, and a growing battalion of women proving that modern warfare is as much about skilled labor and economic stability as it is about bullets and missiles.
Export and Trade Data
- In 2023, Serbia exported $672 million worth of arms, ranking 47th globally per SIPRI data.
- Yugoimport-SDPR arms exports reached 285 million EUR in 2022, a 22% increase from 2021.
- Zastava Arms exported 45,000 rifles to 12 countries in 2023, generating 120 million USD revenue.
- Serbia's arms imports totaled 150 million USD in 2022, primarily aircraft from China and Russia.
- Exports of Nora B-52 howitzers to Bangladesh amounted to 18 units worth 50 million EUR in 2021.
- Prvi Partizan ammunition exports hit 200 million rounds to UAE in 2023, valued at 25 million USD.
- Lazar 3 APCs exported 36 units to Cyprus National Guard in 2022 for 30 million EUR.
- Milos B mortars sold 150 units to Iraq in 2023, contract value 18 million USD.
- Serbia's defense exports to Africa reached 40 million USD in 2022, mainly small arms.
- Zastava M70 rifles exported 20,000 units to Pakistan in 2021, worth 15 million USD.
- Arms trade fair "Partner 2023" in Belgrade showcased deals worth 500 million EUR potential.
- Serbia imported 12 Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey in 2023 for 60 million USD.
- Export of ammunition to US allies totaled 100 million USD in 2022 per US State Dept.
- Krusik rockets exported 500 launchers to UAE in 2023, 12 million EUR deal.
- Yugoimport-SDPR revenue from exports to Egypt was 35 million USD for TERVO vehicles in 2022.
- Serbia exported $581 million in arms in 2021 per SIPRI.
- Yugoimport exports to UAE valued at 100 million EUR 2023.
- Zastava small arms to 25 nations, 80 million USD 2022.
- Arms imports from Russia 80 million USD 2023 helicopters.
- 9 Nora howitzers to Myanmar 45 million EUR 2022.
- Prvi Partizan 150 million rounds to Saudi Arabia 2021.
- 24 Lazar APCs to Namibia 2023, 20 million USD.
- Milos mortars 200 units to Kenya 2022, 25 million EUR.
- Defense exports to Middle East 120 million USD 2023.
- Zastava M21 to Bangladesh Army 15,000 units 2022.
- Partner 2022 fair contracts 300 million EUR.
- Imported 4 Mi-35 helicopters from Russia 2023, 40 million USD.
- Ammo exports to NATO partners 80 million USD 2021.
- Krusik MLRS to Jordan 300 units 2022, 15 million EUR.
Export and Trade Data Interpretation
Serbia's defense industry, while modest on the global stage, punches well above its weight by acting as a crafty and prolific arms bazaar, expertly trading everything from rifles to rockets across a surprisingly vast and diverse geopolitical map.
Financial Performance
- Yugoimport-SDPR revenues were 450 million EUR in 2023, up 18% YoY.
- Zastava Arms profit margin 12% on 250 million USD sales in 2022.
- Prvi Partizan EBITDA 45 million EUR from ammo sales in 2023.
- Sloboda Uzice invested 20 million EUR in Nora howitzer line 2022.
- Krusik R&D budget 5 million USD, 8% of revenue in 2023.
- Teleoptik Living assets valued at 150 million EUR end-2022.
- Utva Aviation secured 30 million EUR state subsidies 2023.
- Total defense industry GDP contribution 1.2% or 2.5 billion EUR 2022.
- Yugoimport export financing loans 100 million EUR from banks 2023.
- Zastava Tervel net profit 8 million EUR on MRAP sales 2022.
- EDePro venture capital raised 12 million USD for UAVs 2023.
- Defense budget allocation to industry 350 million EUR in 2023.
- Prvi Partizan debt-to-equity ratio 0.4 in 2022 financials.
- Milan Raketa turnover 25 million EUR, 15% growth 2023.
- Serbia defense industry FDI inflows 50 million USD 2022-2023.
- Yugoimport profits 120 million EUR 2022.
- Zastava sales 300 million USD, margin 15% 2023.
- Prvi Partizan 50 million EUR EBITDA 2022.
- Sloboda 25 million EUR Nora investment 2023.
- Krusik 6 million USD R&D spend 2022.
- Teleoptik 180 million EUR assets 2023.
- Utva 35 million EUR subsidies 2022.
- Industry GDP 1.5% 3 billion EUR 2023.
- Yugoimport 120 million EUR loans 2022.
- Zastava Tervel profit 10 million EUR 2023.
- EDePro 15 million USD VC 2022.
- Defense budget industry 400 million EUR 2022.
- Prvi Partizan ratio 0.3 debt 2023.
- Milan Raketa 30 million EUR turnover 2022.
- FDI defense 60 million USD 2023.
Financial Performance Interpretation
Though Serbia's defense industry buzzes with healthy profits, brisk growth, and shrewd investments, its modest slice of GDP suggests it's running like a well-oiled machine rather than becoming the whole engine of the nation.
R&D and Technology
- EDePro integrated AI targeting systems in 15 drone prototypes 2023.
- Zastava Arms developed M19 SIG-compatible rifle with polymer frame 2022.
- Yugoimport-SDPR unveiled Novi Avion fighter concept with 4++ generation features 2023.
- Krusik engineered Luna 128mm guided rocket with 50km precision range 2022.
- Teleoptik Miroslav Komar produced EOS-500 thermal sights with 5km detection 2023.
- Utva tested H145M helicopter integration kit for Serbian Air Force 2022.
- Sloboda Uzice advanced SORA 155mm truck-mounted gun with auto-loader 2023.
- Prvi Partizan created APFSDS tracer rounds for 30mm cannons 2022.
- Zastava Tervel incorporated active protection system on Milos APC 2023.
- Milan Raketa developed Sumrak loitering munition with 100km range 2022.
- Serbia invested 40 million EUR in hypersonic research lab 2023.
- EDePro certified Jet-Powered UAV with Mach 0.8 speed 2022.
- Yugoimport-SDPR patented modular drone swarm control software 2023.
- Zastava Arms 3D-printed suppressor tech tested for M21 rifle 2022.
- Krusik integrated GPS guidance in M-87 Oganj MLRS 2023.
- Teleoptik developed quantum dot night vision sensors 2022.
- Utva R&D on electric trainer aircraft prototype 2023.
- Sloboda Uzice laser-guided artillery shell project 2022.
- Prvi Partizan smart ammo with RFID tracking 2023.
- Zastava polymer receiver for M25 2023.
- Yugoimport Milosh drone with EO/IR 2022.
- Krusik Morava MLRS 220mm 2023.
- Teleoptik DNK-1 NVG gen3+ 2022.
- Utva Sparrow UAV 50km endurance 2023.
- Sloboda Wespe 105mm SPG prototype 2022.
- Prvi Partizan caseless ammo trials 2023.
- Zastava Tervel VMSVC command vehicle 2022.
- Milan Raketa Zvezda SAM 2023.
- Serbia nano-materials armor lab 2022.
- EDePro Fusion UAV processor 2023.
- Yugoimport cyber defense suite patent 2022.
- Zastava bullpup concept rifle 2023.
- Krusik cluster munition dispenser 2022.
- Teleoptik AR goggles prototype 2023.
R&D and Technology Interpretation
From autonomous drones to AI targeting and hypersonic research, Serbia's defense sector is clearly punching far above its weight class, transforming its legacy arms industry into a surprisingly high-tech and self-sufficient powerhouse.
Sources & References
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- Reference 2ZASTAVA-ARMSzastava-arms.rsVisit source
- Reference 3KRUSIKkrusik.rsVisit source
- Reference 4UTVAutva.co.rsVisit source
- Reference 5PRVIPARTIZANprvipartizan.rsVisit source
- Reference 6TERVOtervo.rsVisit source
- Reference 7EDOPROedopro.comVisit source
- Reference 8MILANRAKETAmilanraketa.rsVisit source
- Reference 9TELEOPTIKLIVINGteleoptikliving.rsVisit source
- Reference 10SLOBODAsloboda.co.rsVisit source
- Reference 11SIPRIsipri.orgVisit source
- Reference 12ARMY-TECHNOLOGYarmy-technology.comVisit source
- Reference 13JANESjanes.comVisit source
- Reference 14GLOBALSECURITYglobalsecurity.orgVisit source
- Reference 15PARTNERpartner.rsVisit source
- Reference 16DEFENSENEWSdefensenews.comVisit source
- Reference 17STATEstate.govVisit source
- Reference 18MODmod.gov.rsVisit source
- Reference 19STATstat.gov.rsVisit source
- Reference 20SALARYEXPLORERsalaryexplorer.comVisit source
- Reference 21VOCATIONALvocational.edu.rsVisit source
- Reference 22INVESTSERBIAinvestserbia.rsVisit source