Swarm of loitering munitions draws attention at Serbian defense show
At the Belgrade Partner 23 Defense Fair, a Serbian manufacturer, PR-DC, unveiled a striking display of drone technologies, including an array of mini loitering munitions. The centerpiece was the Ika bomber, a rotary-wing drone equipped with different types of aerial explosives and with a 30-minute flight time when carrying a 44-pound payload. As the company looks to expand its reach beyond Serbia, there's particular interest from Saudi Arabia. However, the Serbian drone industry faces internal challenges due to the nation's procurement approach, which pits domestic manufacturers against each other and also sees Serbia purchasing from international competitors. Despite these challenges, there's a focus on increasing domestic production, with recent contracts being signed to bolster Serbia's defense capabilities.