WDS 2024: Saudi company Serb mass-producing UAVs

The Serb Jaser was displayed on its pneumatic launcher at the World Defense Show. (Janes/Akshara Parakala)

Saudi Arabia's Serb Advanced Industries confirmed that it is mass-producing small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the Saudi military during the World Defense Show (WDS) 2024 held in Riyadh from 4 to 8 February.

A company official told Janes that both the Jaser and larger Samil are in production, although he declined to name which branch of the Saudi military has ordered them.

Serb was virtually unknown until 2 January, when Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al-Ohali, the governor of Saudi Arabia's General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), visited the company's manufacturing plant. Photographs were released showing small electrically powered UAVs being assembled at the plant.

Serb identified the UAV as the Jaser during WDS, where one was displayed on its pneumatic launcher. The company described it as a multi-purpose UAV that can carry different payloads, including an electro-optical/low-wave infrared system. It has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 13 kg, a wingspan of 2.08 m, an endurance of 45 minutes, and a service ceiling of 4,000 m.

Serb also displayed the larger Samil, which the company official said was developed from 2022 in line with Saudi military requirements for an aerial target, with deliveries beginning at the end of 2023.

It has an MTOW of 105 kg, a length of 3 m, and a wingspan of 4.67 m. It is launched using a rocket booster and powered by a piston engine, giving it a top speed of 250 km/h, a service ceiling of 4,500 m, and a datalink range of 60 km. The official said it can carry an 18 kg payload although it is a disposable target.