EditSerbia fields Chinese hypersonic missiles, raising concerns among neighbours
Belgrade confirms acquisition of Chinese CM-400AKG missiles as neighbours warn of regional security risks
Serbia has confirmed that it has acquired Chinese CM-400AKG air-to-ground ballistic missiles for its air force, with President Aleksandar Vučić saying the country is becoming the first European operator of the weapon.
The announcement was made late on 12 March on Serbia’s state broadcaster Radio Television of Serbia, days after images of the missiles mounted on a Serbian aircraft circulated online.
Vučić said the country’s air force had adapted its Mikoyan MiG 29 fighter jets to carry the Chinese missiles.
Produced by China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation, the CM-400AKG is a supersonic air-launched ballistic missile with a reported range of up to 400 km. The missile can carry either a 150-kg high-explosive warhead or a 200-kg penetrating warhead designed to strike hardened targets.
The weapon’s first reported combat use came during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, according to military analysts.
Serbia is expected to spend around 2.6% of its GDP on defence in 2026 and has already purchased several Chinese military systems, including the FK 3 air defence system and CH 92A combat drone, according to Reuters.
At the same time, Belgrade has ordered 12 Dassault Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, as well as helicopters and transport aircraft from Airbus, signalling a mixed procurement strategy that combines Western and Chinese systems.
Alarming neighbours
Neighbouring Croatia, a member of the European Union and NATO, criticised Serbia’s missile purchase, warning it could undermine regional stability. Croatian officials argue that Vučić’s move could alter the regional military balance and potentially trigger a new arms race in the Balkans.
Vučić rejected the criticism, telling RTS that Zagreb had been “the main logistical support for the destruction of Serbia over the past year and a half”.
He also accused Croatia of trying to dominate and humiliate Serbia and of launching what he described as the “false Sarajevo Safari affair”.
Serbia’s acquisition of the CM-400AKG missiles represents a significant shift in the security architecture of South Eastern Europe.
Rather than focusing solely on interoperability with NATO systems, Belgrade appears to be pursuing asymmetric military capabilities designed to strengthen deterrence.
While neighbouring NATO members such as Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania are investing primarily in Western defensive platforms, Serbia’s hypersonic missile acquisition provides it with a long-range offensive strike capability currently unmatched by other Balkan states.
The decision to procure such sensitive military technology from China also highlights Belgrade’s increasingly complex geopolitical positioning between the EU, NATO and Beijing.
Deterrent message
Vučić said Croatia had been surprised by the capabilities of Serbia’s air force after images of the CM-400AKG missiles emerged.
“These are air-to-ground missiles that can strike targets at distances of up to 200 or even 400 kilometres,” he said in comments cited by regional broadcaster N1 Television.
“They are extremely expensive and highly effective, and we managed to obtain a small discount,” he added.
The Serbian president also stressed that Belgrade would continue to maintain “honest and good relations” with NATO, including through future joint exercises, but reiterated that Serbia has no intention of joining the alliance.
Vučić further claimed that Serbia was preparing for the possibility of an attack by Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo, which he said were forming a military alliance “directly aimed at Serbia”.
He reassured Serbian citizens that the country had “sufficient forces for a clear deterrent message” and possessed “a stronger army than all the countries of the former Yugoslavia”.
Sources: RTC, Reuters, BTA
Caption: Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic arrives for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (not pictured) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 04 September 2025. EPA/LINTAO ZHANG / POOL
Updated: March 13, 2026 - 15:36
