China’s military engagements in the region include arms and weapons sales, technology transfers, and dual-use telecommunications infrastructure, especially in Serbia. Chinese military sales to Serbia outpace other regional arms relationships. While the Western Balkans constitute a small share of this percentage, Serbia is now China’s primary military client in Europe. To complement its recent purchase of French Rafale fighter jets, Mistral air defense systems, and Airbus C-295 transport aircraft, China is supplying Serbia with FK-3 medium-range air defense missile systems, CH-92A and CH-95 combat drones, and 18 FT-8C laser-guided missiles. Moreover, in July 2025, Serbia and China held Peace Defenders joint military exercises in Hebei, China, including special operations forces to strengthen interoperability.
In addition, technology transfers from China assist Serbia in completing sophisticated military projects. One project is ‘Pegaz’ (Pegasus), which is facilitated by China’s state-owned Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The project will reconstitute Serbia’s 353rd Intelligence Surveillance squadron to specialize in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drone operations. China-Serbia defense exchanges include military training sessions for Serbia’s 250th Air Defense Missile Brigade on Chinese air defense systems.
Serbia embraces China for several reasons. First, Belgrade views it as a dependable security partner that does not interfere in its domestic politics. Second, China-led defense and security cooperation resonates in Serbia as China opposes Kosovo’s sovereignty and independence and objected to NATO military intervention in Serbia in 1999, including the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. Third, the growing bilateral military relationship reflects Serbia’s attempt to diversify suppliers and strategic partnerships beyond traditional Western and Russian sources. For China, the relationship extends technological dependencies in ways that could undercut NATO and position it as an alternative security partner beyond Serbia.
https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/11/05/chinas-rising-influence-in-the-western-balkans/