Serbia’s Yugoimport unveils new military equipment for Middle East armed forces at EDEX 2025.

Serbia’s state-owned defense consortium, Yugoimport SDPR, used EDEX 2025 in Cairo to showcase a broad lineup of new-generation weapons and military platforms. The display highlighted Belgrade’s push to expand defense exports and long-term industrial cooperation with Middle Eastern armed forces.

At the Egypt International Defense Exhibition 2025, Serbian defense exporter Yugoimport SDPR rolled out one of its most comprehensive international showcases to date, featuring loitering munitions, modular infantry weapons, 8x8 armored vehicles, and advanced artillery systems. Company officials framed the display as a response to regional demand for cost-effective, combat-proven equipment, positioning Serbia as both a supplier and development partner for Middle Eastern militaries seeking alternatives beyond traditional Western and Eastern sources.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Yugoimport SDPR showcases its latest Serbian-made defense technologies at EDEX 2025, including modular small arms, loitering munitions, and advanced combat vehicles, reinforcing its growing footprint in Middle Eastern defense markets. (Picture source / Copyright: Army Recognition Group)

At the heart of the Serbian display was an increasingly versatile drone arsenal reflecting how battlefield dynamics have shifted. The RAVEN loitering munition, capable of 120 km range and armed with a 7 kg warhead able to pierce up to 1,000 mm of armor, stood out among the new "one-way effectors" presented. In an exclusive interview with Army Recognition, Yugoimport executives rejected the popular term “kamikaze drone” as outdated, opting instead for “direct attack drone systems.” The RAVEN, in particular, was highlighted as a cost-effective complement or even a battlefield substitute for guided anti-tank missiles, especially in theaters where affordability and tactical flexibility drive procurement decisions.

Yugoimport is also advancing tailored munition kits designed to convert standard mortar bombs into drone-deployable payloads, a feature increasingly requested by clients across North Africa and the Middle East. In a significant move toward greater lethality, the company revealed it is repurposing legacy ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile) warheads for drone use, including shaped charges with 750 mm RHA (Rolled Homogeneous Armor) penetration and newly engineered thermobaric variants that deliver 0.4 bar at 7 meters, indicating Serbia’s drive to compete in the emerging field of weaponized FPV drone warfare.

On the ground systems front, the company introduced the latest variant of the Nora B-52 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. This version features 30 ready rounds, a 4-round-per-minute rate of fire, and a full “shoot-and-scoot” cycle in just 2.5 minutes, enabling firing, displacement, and evading counter-battery detection before retaliation becomes viable. The system’s agility and firepower continue to make it a sought-after option for countries looking for NATO-compatible, cost-efficient artillery.

Yugoimport also highlighted an expanded line of armored tactical vehicles, led by the Milosh-1 and Milosh-2 4x4 armored vehicles and the Alexander Unifier, a compact multi-role 4x4. The newer variants feature key Western components such as Cummins engines, Allison transmissions, and Timoney suspension systems, signaling an intent to appeal to customers seeking interoperability with NATO-standard platforms. Notably, the LASAR 3 and LASAR 3M series comprise 8x8 MRAV-class vehicles. The LASAR 3 occupies the hybrid MRAP/MRAV niche with onboard surveillance and fire capabilities while in motion, essential for avoiding ambushes in asymmetric conflict zones. The LASAR 3M, equipped with a 30 mm RCWS, provides high-level protection, an internal crew-facing layout, and robust off-road mobility, aligning with trends seen in Western infantry combat vehicle design.

Yugoimport’s representatives confirmed that the company remains open to regional industrial partnerships, including co-production, subsystem integration, and even partial technology transfer under certain conditions. While specific programs were not disclosed, discussions on joint development are ongoing with unnamed Middle Eastern nations, reinforcing EDEX’s role as a strategic platform for industrial alignment between Europe and the Arab world.

Despite this diversification, small arms and ammunition remain the backbone of Serbian defense exports. Yugoimport showcased a new modular rifle platform with interchangeable barrels for 6.5 mm Grendel and 7.62x39 mm calibers, tailored for users balancing NATO and Eastern bloc logistics standards. Ammunition offerings remain comprehensive, covering NATO and Russian calibers for small arms, artillery, mortars, grenades, and rockets, all supported by long-standing expertise in high-volume production and global supply.

While Serbia may not match the output of larger defense exporters, its strategy of offering modularity, technology transfer, and competitive pricing appears to be resonating with markets such as Egypt, Algeria, and the Gulf states. Yugoimport’s presence at EDEX 2025 underscored a clear strategic intent: to position Serbia not just as a supplier but as a defense partner capable of adapting to evolving operational realities across the Global South.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.