Serbian Defense Companies Oppose Export Ban: Protests Planned

Serbian defense industry factories are preparing to hold protests following the government’s decision to pause ammunition exports.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced that the National Security Council will soon take exclusive responsibility for deciding on ammunition exports, according to N1.

He also mentioned that “black, gray, and white lists” of countries will be established to set clear guidelines for Serbia’s ammunition export policies.

“The National Security Council issues an order to the Ministry of Trade: no more ammunition is to be exported from Serbia. But this creates a serious problem for us,” Vučić told journalists in Belgrade.

He added that since the announcement of the export suspension on Monday evening, he has been under “enormous pressure — both domestic and international.”

The president mentioned that he was informed about planned protests at Serbian defense industry factories, which could take place as early as July.

“There was intense pressure to allow five, ten, fifty more contract deliveries. And when I responded that this was impossible, I was told that protests are expected in July to show that we are forced to export because workers need their salaries,” Vučić explained.

On the same day, the Serbian Ministry of Defense announced the suspension of all exports of weapons and military equipment produced in the country, following the directive of the president, who is the Supreme Commander and Chairman of the National Security Council.

The ministry added that from now on, any export will require not only the approval of the relevant ministries and agencies but also the endorsement of the National Security Council.

On May 28, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service criticized Serbia for supplying weapons to Ukraine. Then, on June 23, Russia again accused Belgrade of exporting arms to Kyiv through intermediary schemes.

On the same day, the Serbian president confirmed that the government had suspended ammunition sales abroad and that “special decisions” would be required for any future exports.

When asked by journalists whether Serbia had taken sides in the Israel-Iran conflict by exporting ammunition to Israel, Vučić replied that the country had suspended all exports and is currently supplying ammunition only to its own military.