Serbia’s reported acquisition of Chinese-made hypersonic missiles has drawn scrutiny from international media and raised concerns in neighbouring countries, particularly Croatia, according to analyses published on Thursday.
The Swiss daily Neue Zürcher Zeitung said the missiles could potentially reach large parts of Croatian territory, citing their range and deployment capabilities. The report follows confirmation by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić that Belgrade had procured the CM-400 missile system, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
Military analysts cited by the publication said the system would be unique in Europe outside Russia, referencing earlier reporting by specialist outlet The War Zone.
According to the analysis, aircraft equipped with such missiles could strike targets at distances exceeding 400 km, potentially allowing engagement of locations across much of Croatia without leaving Serbian airspace.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has raised the issue with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the report said, noting that Croatia is a NATO member while Serbia maintains a partnership status with the alliance.
Serbia currently operates a fleet of MiG-29 fighter jets and has agreed to purchase 12 Dassault Rafale aircraft from France, with deliveries expected from 2028. It remains unclear whether the Chinese missile systems could be integrated with Western-made aircraft, which analysts describe as unlikely.
The report added that Serbia would be only the second country, after Pakistan, to deploy the CM-400 system, typically paired with Chinese-built fighter jets.
More broadly, analysts say the procurement reflects Belgrade’s continued policy of balancing relations between East and West, sourcing military equipment from countries including China, Russia, and Western suppliers.
Separate analysis by German public broadcaster ARD described the purchase as part of Serbia’s efforts to modernise its armed forces, while also signalling geopolitical positioning amid tensions in the Balkans.
Quoting President Vučić, the report said Serbia does not intend to threaten NATO members and remains committed to military neutrality, despite ongoing cooperation with the alliance and its aspirations to join the European Union.
Observers cited by ARD said the move may also serve domestic political purposes, portraying strength at a time of internal pressures, while officials in Croatia responded cautiously, noting that such rhetoric from Belgrade is not new.