Serbia’s Yugoimport-Expands Influence in Middle East Defense Products Market at IDEX 2025.

At the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) 2025 in Abu Dhabi, Serbia's leading defense company, Yugoimport-SDPR, showcased its impressive portfolio, marking its growing footprint in the Middle Eastern defense sector. With an extensive range of advanced artillery systems, drones, loitering munitions, and armored vehicles, the company reinforced its status as a leader in modern defense technology, attracting attention from military professionals and defense officials from across the region.
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Yugoimport-SDPR Booth at IDEX 2025: Showcasing Serbia's Cutting-Edge Defense Technologies Across Land, Air, and Sea. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

Serbian Defense Company Yugoimport-SDPR has long been a key player in artillery system production, with the NORA B-52 standing out as one of its flagship products. Based on a modified truck chassis, this self-propelled artillery system has proven effective in providing long-range, accurate fire support and has been a cornerstone of Serbia’s artillery exports. In 2023, the company unveiled the NORA NG, an upgraded version of the B-52 that incorporates the latest technological advancements. The NORA NG boasts improved fire control systems, greater mobility, enhanced accuracy, and the ability to fire a wider range of munitions, solidifying Yugoimport's position at the forefront of modern artillery development.

Reflecting global trends in defense innovation, Yugoimport-SDPR has also placed significant emphasis on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including both attack drones and kamikaze drones. These platforms are increasingly in demand worldwide for their ability to conduct precision strikes with minimal risk to personnel. Among the most notable products is the OSICA loitering munition, which combines advanced drone technology with explosive payloads for high-precision strike capabilities. The OSICA is designed to target high-value enemy assets while remaining in the air for extended periods, making it an ideal solution for modern warfare scenarios where tactical flexibility and long-range precision are crucial.

In addition to the OSICA, Yugoimport-SDPR has introduced other innovative drone systems, such as the RAVEN 145, a high-end tactical UAV designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. The RAVEN 145 provides exceptional endurance and high-resolution imagery, enabling military forces to carry out extended missions in complex environments. Alongside this, the company has also developed FPV drones, designed for both tactical reconnaissance and attack missions. These drones offer enhanced situational awareness, agility, and precision, making them valuable assets in modern conflict zones. The growing importance of drone warfare is reflected in Yugoimport-SDPR's continued investment in UAV technology, which aligns with the global trend towards autonomous, precision-driven weapon systems.

The company’s commitment to UAVs is also reflected in its continuous innovation in both bombers and projectile drones, which are increasingly integrated into modern military arsenals. This focus on drones underscores Serbia's broader strategy of developing weapons systems to counter evolving threats, particularly in regions such as the Middle East, where such technologies are becoming indispensable.

Yugoimport-SDPR's role in the ammunition sector is equally impressive. The company produces a wide variety of ammunition types, meeting both Russian and NATO standards. This includes small arms, mortar rounds, non-lethal ammunition, hand grenades, medium-caliber rounds, tank shells, artillery projectiles, and rocket ammunition, among others. Additionally, Yugoimport has invested heavily in developing ammunition for drone systems, underscoring the integration of munitions with emerging technologies. These efforts position Yugoimport-SDPR as a significant player in the global defense market, catering to the growing demand for versatile, high-performance ammunition to complement advanced weapon systems like UAVs.

Yugoimport-SDPR has a long history of developing advanced rocket systems, with initial work dating back to the 1960s. Today, the company offers a diverse range of towed and self-propelled rocket launchers, many of which feature modular capabilities. These launchers can fire various types of rockets from different modules, offering unparalleled flexibility and adaptability for modern forces. The company’s larger-caliber rocket systems include a 262mm rocket with a range of 70 kilometers and a 400mm system with a staggering 300-kilometer range. These long-range systems, which are currently under development, demonstrate Serbia's ability to compete in the global market for high-end artillery and missile systems, capable of hitting distant targets with precision.

Serbia’s defense industry has over a century and a half of experience in small arms production, and Yugoimport-SDPR is at the forefront of this tradition. The company currently offers modern families of automatic weapons, including rifles in calibers 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm, and 7.62x51mm, along with cutting-edge sniper rifles and machine guns. The company’s most notable addition to its small arms portfolio is its modular rifle family, which includes rifles chambered in 6.5x39mm Grendel and 7.62x39mm, providing a versatile and adaptable platform for a wide range of operational scenarios. Yugoimport-SDPR also produces specialized sniper systems tailored to both NATO and Russian calibers.

In addition to firearms, Yugoimport-SDPR has made significant strides in armored vehicle production. The Lazar 3 and Milosh platforms are two key examples of the company’s commitment to providing highly mobile, well-protected vehicles for a variety of military operations.

The Lazar 3, a 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle, is designed to provide troop transport, reconnaissance, and combat support. With a high level of protection against mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the Lazar 3 can be equipped with a variety of weapon systems, including a remote-controlled turret armed with a 30mm cannon. It has gained attention for its versatility and reliability in high-threat environments.

On the other hand, the Milosh is a smaller, more tactical vehicle designed for rapid mobility and lighter combat scenarios. A 4x4 vehicle, the Milosh provides excellent protection for crew members while being agile enough to navigate challenging terrain. It is typically used for reconnaissance and troop transport but can be equipped with various weaponry, including anti-tank guided missiles and a heavy machine gun. The Milosh is recognized for its maneuverability, making it a valuable asset in urban and asymmetric warfare operations.

At IDEX 2025, Yugoimport-SDPR made clear its ambitions for further growth in the Middle East, a region that has shown increasing demand for advanced defense technologies. Serbia's defense industry is well-positioned to expand its influence in this critical market with its broad portfolio, which includes everything from artillery and rocket systems to UAVs and armored vehicles. As the global defense landscape continues to evolve, Yugoimport-SDPR's strategic focus on modernization and innovation will likely ensure that Serbia remains a competitive and reliable partner in international defense collaborations.

Serbia's Yugoimport-SDPR has showcased its exceptional capabilities at IDEX 2025, offering cutting-edge military solutions across various domains, from artillery and ammunition to drones and armored vehicles. With a deep commitment to technological advancement and an ever-expanding presence in global defense markets, Yugoimport-SDPR is poised to play a key role in the future of modern warfare.