23.09.2025.
International Armament and Military Equipment Exhibition PARTNER 2025 officially opens
Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić officially opened the 12thInternational Armament and Military Equipment Exhibition PARTNER 2025 today at the Belgrade Fair, in the presence of Prime Minister Đuro Macut and the Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, General Milan Mojsilović.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Defence of Cyprus, Vasilis Palmas, the Chief of Staff of the Royal Saudi Land Forces, Lieutenant General Fahd Al-Juhani, numerous foreign delegations, members of the collegiums of the Minister of Defence and the Chief of the General Staff, representatives of the diplomatic corps, as well as military diplomats, companies belonging to the Serbian Defence Industry, and many exhibitors participating in this year’s exhibition.
Minister Gašić said he was honoured to officially open, on behalf of the Republic of Serbia, the 12th International Armament and Military Equipment Exhibition Partner 2025, an event that has earned recognition throughout Europe and globally as a place where knowledge, innovation, and experience in the field of defence technologies meet.
- Around 200 exhibitors from more than 30 countries, a record number to date, testifies to the growing interest in this event and its popularity. The exhibition space has been expanded by as much as 30 percent compared to last year, and this year’s exhibition will showcase the largest number of innovations from the Serbian defence industry to date - said the Minister of Defence.
He emphasized that Serbia is a country with a rich defence industrial tradition dating back nearly two centuries, and at the same time, a country focused on the future.
- Our commitment to preserving peace, independence, and the security of our citizens relies primarily on our own knowledge and resources. That is precisely why we continue to follow the idea promoted more than a decade ago by the President and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, the idea that whatever we do in the field of armament and military equipment development should be aimed at the technological advancement of the Serbian Armed Forces. The goal is to ensure that, in the face of modern security challenges, our armed forces are fully prepared to respond effectively to any potential threat to the territorial integrity and independence of our country – Minister Gašić emphasized.
Continuing his address, the Minister of Defence underscored the significant progress our country has made in the defence industry in recent years. He said that today, we can proudly say that our experts are developing and producing weapons and military equipment that meet the needs of the Serbian Armed Forces, but also attract attention of even the most discerning international buyers.
- Partner 2025 is an opportunity for us to showcase that progress. Visitors and potential clients will have the opportunity to see some of the most modern combat platforms, UAVs, and sophisticated communication and logistics systems developed and manufactured by the Military Technical Institute personnel and the Serbian defence industry factories. Our defence industry is growing, modernizing, and creating new jobs. It is proof that investing in defence means investing in economy, education, science, and technology, all of which contribute to the overall development of the society – said the Minister of Defence.
The Minister of Defence emphasized that Serbia remains open for cooperation with both the East and the West in this field, noting that the country procures arms and sophisticated technology from EU member states, the USA, as well as from the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, and many other countries. He stated that, when selecting partners, the state leadership is guided by a single principle – the national interest of the Republic of Serbia and the need to secure the best long-term solutions for our military.
- I am proud that delegations and companies from around the world are participating in this exhibition. Their attendance is proof that our country is recognized as a reliable partner, one that fosters good and stable relations, and believes that security is the foundation of peace and overall progress. Peace has always been and remains our strategic goal. As we always emphasize, Serbia is not developing its armed forces and its military technical capabilities to threaten others, but to protect itself. History has taught us that security and freedom must never be taken for granted. That is why we invest in modern defence systems, while simultaneously building bridges of friendship and cooperation, Minister Gašić said.
He emphasized that Partner 2025 is proof that tradition and innovation, national interests and international cooperation can be successfully combined.
- I am confident that over the next several days, a number of contracts will be signed, new prospects and partnerships will emerge, ones that will contribute to the strengthening of industry, science, and the military, not only in Serbia, but on a global level – said Minster Gašić.
Addressing those present, the Minister of Defence said that Serbia is a small country in size, but it is great in terms of its dedication to hard work, the talent, and the knowledge of its people. He said that Serbia will continue to invest in its armed forces and defence industry, as this is the path to building a secure future and a state capable of guaranteeing its citizens security, freedom, and dignity.
- I wish all participants successful days, good and constructive talks, and great results. I am confident that Partner 2025 will once again confirm that Serbia has a lot to show, and that it is able to connect the world in the name of security, development and peace – said Minister Gašić, declaring the International Armament and Military Equipment Exhibition Partner 2025 officially open.
At the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Đuro Macut also addressed the audience, emphasizing the huge importance of defence industry for Serbia’s overall economy. He emphasized that the momentum this sector has gained in recent years has placed Serbia back on the map of global manufacturers of weapons and military equipment.
- The Partner defence exhibition is an opportunity to present, above all to the expert public, everything that the Serbian defence industry has achieved in recent period. A large number of foreign exhibitors have placed their trust in this event, recognizing its openness and potential for connecting and establishing cooperation. This stands as acknowledgment of both the Ministry of Defence and the Republic of Serbia, whose foreign policy serves as an example of openness and consistency – said the Prime Minister of Serbia, extending congratulations, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, to the exhibition organizers.
He thanked exhibitors and high-level foreign delegations participating in the exhibition, expressing confidence that meetings held over the next four days will open many doors for establishing effective, long-term cooperation in the field of defence technology. In conclusion, Prime Minister Macut commended the representatives of domestic defence industry, recognizing them as a pillar of both economic stability and security.
After the opening ceremony, Minister Gašić, accompanied by Prime Minister Macut and General Mojsilović, toured the exhibition at the Belgrade Fair, visiting both domestic and international company stands. They were joined by Nenad Miloradović, Ph.D., Assistant Minister of Defence for Material Resources. They also inspected the modernized River Flotilla vessels, which are, for the first time, moored on the Sava River, as part of the Partner 2025 exhibition.
PARTNER is the largest and most significant defence exhibition in the region, providing an opportunity over four days for numerous domestic and international manufacturers to showcase their products. This year’s event is organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Serbia, and co-organized by Jugoimport-SDPR, with technical support provided by the Belgrade Fair. In addition to companies belonging to the Serbian Defence Industry group, which, along with the state-owned Jugoimport-SDPR, represent the core of Serbia’s defence industry, PARTNER traditionally brings together a wide range of weapons and military equipment producers from across Serbia.
Partner 2025 will be open until September 26, 2025, in halls 1, 2, and 4, as well as in the outdoor exhibition area of the Belgrade Fair.
