Yugoimport SDPR

The company was founded in 1949 by the decree of the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito, with the primary goal of importing parts and raw materials for the needs of the domestic defense industry. Over time, domestic production outgrew the needs of the domestic market, so Yugoimport started orienting towards foreign markets. Yugoimport started exporting weapons in 1953.

By a state resolution in 1974, affairs related to the import and export of weapons were centralized within the framework of the newly formed Federal Directorate for Procurement (Savezni direktorat za nabavke), where Jugoimport was also involved.

After several reorganizations, Yugoimport-SDPR became a fully owned state-company. During its history, the company has sales of approximately 22 billion dollars through the trade of weapons, equipment and technology.

The company works in cooperation with the Military Technical Institute in developing a wide array of weapons, from artillery systems and armoured vehicles to trainer aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. Recent flagship products include Nora B-52 155 mm self-propelled howitzer, Lazar 3 armoured personnel carrier, Miloš light armoured vehicle, ALAS guided missile, Lasta 95 light trainer aircraft, Pegaz combat drone, and the Premax 39 river patrol boat.

Manufacturing is organized through the following subsidiaries:

Borbeni složeni sistemi ("Complex Fighting Systems") manufactures artillery systems and armoured vehicles at its facilities in Velika Plana and Kuršumlija.

Utva Aviation Industry manufactures military trainer aircraft and drones at its facility in Pančevo.