Army of humanoids? Vučić’s vision of a robot-powered Serbia and deepening China ties

Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced on 2 February that Serbia could become the first European country to begin producing humanoid robots as early as this year. But his vision looks more aimed at highlighting ties between Belgrade and Beijing rather than practical implementation.

The initiative stems from a potential partnership with Chinese companies AGIBOT Innovation (a specialist in AI-powered humanoid robotics) and Minth Group (a major global automotive parts supplier with existing operations in Serbia, employing thousands locally).

During a presentation at the Chinese Cultural Center in Belgrade, Vučić showcased robots capable of performing household tasks, assisting people with disabilities, conducting border control, and even being armed. He enthusiastically declared that a robot factory might soon rise in Serbia, followed by data factories where humans and robots would collaborate, with robots learning directly from human workers.

Vučić outlined ambitious plans, stating that between 2026 and 2030, up to 50 such data factories could emerge, supported by an initial investment of around €100 million shared between Chinese partners and Serbia. A working group was set to form immediately to advance the project, aiming for tangible demonstrations by September or October.

Attendees included China’s ambassador to Serbia, Li Ming, and Serbia’s Minister of Science and Technological Development, Bela Balint. AGIBOT, founded in Shanghai in 2023, has rapidly positioned itself as a leader in general-purpose humanoid robots, producing models in series such as Yuanzheng, Lingxi, and Genies. The company claims to have manufactured 5,000 units last year, capturing nearly 40% of the global market share in terms of quantity. Partner Minth Group, a Hong Kong-listed automotive parts manufacturer present in Serbia since 2018 with factories in Loznica and Šabac employing 3,500 people, brings established local infrastructure to the venture. AGIBOT representatives indicated initial production of 1,000 to 2,000 humanoid robots in Serbia, emphasizing the need for local AI data production to train the systems.

A vision of technological leap and military ambition

The announcement extended beyond civilian applications into the military realm, where Vučić suggested Serbia might acquire armed humanoid robots from China. He quipped that at the next military parade – likely this year, thousands of such armed robots could appear to bolster national security, though he would first need to consult Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “friend” of Serbia.

This rhetoric highlights the deepening military ties between Belgrade and Beijing, which have grown steadily despite concerns from Brussels and Washington. Serbia already relies heavily on Chinese weaponry, including CH-92A and CH-95 combat drones, the FK-3 anti-aircraft missile system, and HQ-17 systems. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, China accounted for 57% of Serbia’s arms imports between 2020 and 2024, far outpacing Russia at 20% and France at 7.4%. In the past two years alone, Serbian defense imports from China reached approximately €240 million.

China’s advancements in military robotics add context to Vučić’s enthusiasm. At a September 2025 parade in Beijing, which Vučić attended, “wolf robots” – quadruped machines capable of navigating rough terrain, carrying weapons, and clearing mines, were displayed.

In November 2025, Chinese state media aired footage of military exercises featuring such systems. UBTech Robotics secured a $37 million contract in late 2025 to deploy Walker S2 humanoid robots along the Vietnam border for logistical tasks and inspections; this model, unveiled in July 2025, boasts the ability to autonomously swap its own batteries. More recently, at the World Armament Exhibition in Riyadh in February 2026, a Chinese firm unveiled the PF-070, a four-legged combat robot equipped with guided anti-tank missiles.

Skepticism amid geopolitical risks

Experts remain cautious about the feasibility and implications of these plans. Geopolitics and security consultant Nikola Lunić described Vučić’s vision of thousands of armed robots as more of a marketing message than a realistic military strategy.

He noted that no modern army currently deploys operational armed humanoid robots in combat roles; Chinese applications focus primarily on surveillance, logistics, and support rather than replacing soldiers. Acquiring thousands would impose a massive financial and operational burden on Serbia’s relatively small and technologically constrained military. Lunić cited costs of around $74,000 per industrial humanoid (based on existing Chinese contracts for 500 units at $37 million), escalating to hundreds of millions for thousands, plus ongoing expenses for maintenance, qualified personnel, logistics, and software updates.

Serbia’s broader AI readiness lags as well. The AI Readiness Index from Oxford Insights ranks China eighth globally, while Serbia sits at 57th out of 193 countries. Vučić has spoken of doubling military capacity – 30% in human resources and 100% in other areas, following a National Security Council meeting in January 2026, though specifics on sources or threats remain vague. He mentioned post-Beijing parade discussions with over 10 Chinese military firms, signaling potential new acquisitions.

Deepening defence cooperation with China risks straining relations with the European Union and the United States. Lunić warned that Brussels could issue diplomatic notes protesting such ties, while Washington might demand clearer commitment to bilateral improvement. Ignoring these signals could invite sanctions. Serbia’s EU accession negotiations, stalled for years with no new chapters opened recently, face added pressure to align foreign and defense policies with European standards. Eventual EU membership would require terminating incompatible third-country agreements, including those with China.

For now, Vučić’s handshake with a robot named Luka symbolizes Serbia’s ambition to embrace futuristic technology, even as questions linger about its practicality and broader consequences.

Sources: RTS, BETA, BGNES, Global Times

Caption: A still fram from an AI-generated video circulating on X of China’s Unitree Robotics humanoid robots who have reportedly the capability to fire assault rifles.