Serbia showcases new weapons and equipment at UAE arms expo

Serbia showcases new weapons and equipment at UAE arms expo

Four new products manufactured by Serbia's defense ministry have been shown for the first time at the expo, and, according to a statement - "caused great interest on the first day."

One of them is the Sumadija (named after the country's central region) tactical artillery rocket with trajectory correction and a range of 300 kilometers. This tactical missile is launched using multiple rocket launchers.

The unmanned aerial reconnaissance and combat vehicle Strsljen (Serbian for "hornet") has also been shown at the fair. It has flight time lasting up to five hours for reconnaissance purposes, and 2.5 hours when it comes to combat deployments. According to the MoD, IDEX visitors paid particular attention to the multi-purpose armored vehicle Milos BOV intended for reconnaissance, patrol, and special deployments. The 4-wheel-drive is equipped with protection from anti-tank mines.

Another new product unveiled at the fair is the 122-mm Grad (Serbian for "hailstorm") artillery rocket with a 52-kilometer range.

In addition to many other standard Serbian defense industry products, the visitors of this year's IDEX could also see self-propelled 155-milimeter howitzer system Nora, and 8x8 multi-role armored vehicle Lazar. An MoD delegation was in Abu Dhabi, led by Assistant Defense Minister Nenad Miloradovic, who told reporters that the UAE was "a key market" for Serbia's defense industry - and that the country currently has "active contracts" there worth some USD 220 million dollars.

UAE's armed forces and defense industry also represent "a strategic partner to Serbia in developing several types of sophisticated weapons that should significantly improve Serbian Army's operative capabilities, and our export potential," he said.

Miloradovic also announced negotiations that should result in new contracts.