Serbia says Chinese arms purchases bolster military power

Serbia's Defense Minister, Bratislav Gasic, asserted that acquiring weaponry from China has substantially boosted the nation's military strength and laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation between the two armies. Gasic made these remarks following a meeting with Guo Hongtao, deputy director of international cooperation for China's Central Military Commission, to discuss military equipment and technology.

Serbia, a candidate for European Union membership and one of the few Western Balkan states not part of NATO, has increased its procurement of Chinese arms in recent years. "The acquisition of weapons and military equipment from the People's Republic of China has allowed for a significant improvement in the operational capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces and constitutes a solid basis for further developing military cooperation," the minister stated, according to the newspaper Politika.

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The acquisition of weapons and military equipment from the People's Republic of China has allowed for a significant improvement in the operational capabilities of the Serbian Armed Forces and constitutes a solid basis for further developing military cooperation.

A notable and controversial deal involves the purchase of Chinese CM-400AKG supersonic air-to-ground missiles, which have an approximate range of 400 kilometers. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed the acquisition in March 2026, though he did not disclose the number of missiles or the cost of the operation. The deal sparked concern in neighboring Croatia, a NATO and EU member and a former adversary of Serbia during the 1990s wars.

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Serbia has no intention of attacking any country.

Croatia informed NATO after images emerged of the missiles mounted on a Serbian fighter jet. Croatian President Zoran Milanović warned that parts of Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Albania could fall within the missiles' range. Vucic dismissed these criticisms, asserting Serbia has no intention of attacking any country and accused Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo of forming an alliance "directed against Serbia."

Serbia began acquiring Chinese weaponry in 2020 with the delivery of six CH-92A drones. In 2022, it incorporated the FK-3 air defense system, followed by the HQ-17AE short-range system between 2023 and 2024. Serbian media reports suggest Belgrade is also interested in China's HQ-9 long-range air defense system and potentially Chinese-made fighter jets in the future.

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directed against Serbia.