Serbia has confirmed the acquisition of advanced Chinese air-to-surface ballistic missiles, a move that has triggered renewed debate about regional security policy, defense procurement rules and geopolitical alignment in Europe. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić acknowledged that the country recently purchased the CM-400AKG missile system for the Serbian Air Force after images of the weapon mounted on a military aircraft circulated online.
The confirmation places Serbia among the first operators of the Chinese missile system in Europe and highlights the country’s evolving defense procurement strategy as it balances ties with Western security institutions and strategic partnerships with Eastern powers.
Serbia maintains a cooperative relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization while simultaneously pursuing membership in the European Union. At the same time, the country retains long-standing political, economic and security relations with Russia and expanding defense and investment links with China.
Speaking in a televised address broadcast by Radio Television of Serbia, Vučić said the Serbian military has already acquired a “significant number” of the Chinese missiles and plans to expand the inventory further. The president also confirmed that the Serbian Air Force has modified its Soviet-era MiG‑29 fighter aircraft to carry the CM-400AKG system.
The CM-400AKG missile is manufactured by the Chinese state-owned defense company China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation. Defense analysts describe the weapon as a supersonic air-to-surface missile capable of striking targets at ranges of up to 400 kilometers and carrying either a blast or penetrator warhead designed to destroy fortified infrastructure or high-value military assets.
The missile system reportedly saw its first combat use during the India–Pakistan conflict of 2025, when it was used by Pakistan’s air force against an Indian air-defense installation. The weapon’s deployment in Europe now raises broader questions about regional arms dynamics and defense procurement policies in the Balkans.
Officials in neighboring Croatia, which is both an EU and NATO member state, criticized the purchase, warning that the acquisition could alter the regional military balance and potentially accelerate an arms buildup in southeastern Europe.
Security analysts note that the Balkans have historically remained sensitive to military developments due to unresolved political tensions dating back to the conflicts that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.
The purchase also highlights the complex legal and policy environment surrounding international arms trade. While Serbia is not a member of NATO, it participates in the alliance’s Partnership for Peace program and maintains military cooperation with Western countries. At the same time, its procurement of Chinese missile technology illustrates the absence of unified defense procurement standards among European states outside the EU and NATO frameworks.
From a policy perspective, the deal reflects Serbia’s strategy of diversifying its military suppliers. In recent years, the country has acquired the FK‑3 air defense system and CH‑92A combat drones from China, while also purchasing Western military equipment including Dassault Rafale fighter jets produced by Dassault Aviation and helicopters and transport aircraft supplied by Airbus.
Serbia’s military expenditure has increased steadily in recent years, with the government allocating roughly 2.6 percent of national gross domestic product to defense spending. The investment reflects a broader modernization effort aimed at upgrading the country’s aging military infrastructure.
The purchase of Chinese missile systems also illustrates the growing role of defense trade in geopolitical competition. As China expands its defense exports globally, European policymakers and security analysts are increasingly examining how such transactions affect regional security governance and international arms control frameworks.
Experts say Serbia’s latest procurement decision demonstrates the evolving dynamics of defense trade and strategic partnerships in Europe, where countries are navigating complex alliances while responding to shifting geopolitical and security challenges.