Introduction

Israel and Montenegro signed their first defense contract in 2019, involving the sale of $35 million worth of Remote-Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS) produced by Elbit Systems. Since then, military cooperation has expanded to include the sale of Israeli mortar munition systems and the training of Montenegrin officers in Israel. Montenegro also acquired Israeli surveillance software.

Israel-Montenegro Relations

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Montenegro were established in July 2006, shortly after Montenegro gained independence.^[1]Government of Montenegro, Diplomatic Missions to Montenegro and visa regimes for citizens of Montenegro – Israel

Over the years, several bilateral visits by high-ranking diplomats have taken place.^[2]The Times of Israel, Montenegro’s foreign minister on an official visit to Israel, 18.07.2018

Military Relations

In 2017, Montenegro became a member of NATO.^[3]NATO, NATO member countries, 11.03.2024While Israel is not a full member of NATO, it participates in NATO’s Mediterranean Dialogue framework and produces weapon systems that meet NATO standards.^[4]NATO, Mediterranean Dialogue, 18.09.2025

In 2018, Israel and Montenegro signed an agreement on defense cooperation during a visit to Israel by Montenegro’s Minister of Defense, Predrag Bošković. The visit marked the first official meeting between the defense ministers of the two countries.^[5]The Times of Israel, Montenegro’s foreign minister on an official visit to Israel, 18.07.2018^[6]Vijesti, Montenegro and Israel signed a memorandum on more specific military cooperation, 07.03.2018^[7]Analitika, Crna Gora i Izrael potpisali Memorandum, 07.03.2018

A year later, in 2019, this cooperation translated into the first defense procurement contract between the two countries. Under the three-year, $35 million contract, the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems supplied Remote-Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS) to the Montenegrin Armed Forces for installation on Oshkosh Defense JLTV 4×4 vehicles. Elbit Systems was responsible for integrating the RCWSs onto the vehicles over a three-year period and continues to provide logistical support for seven years.^[8]Haaretz, Israel Signs $35 Million Weapons System Deal With Montenegro, 16.12.2019^[9]Israel Defense, Another Major Defense Export Agreement with a Member of NATO, 17.12.2019^[10]Israel Defense, Montenegro takes delivery of Oshkosh tactical vehicles with Elbit weapon stations, 09.11.2020

In May 2023, Israel and Montenegro signed another government-to-government (G2G) defense exports agreement covering Elbit Systems-produced 120 mm Spear mortar munition systems, associated equipment, and the training of soldiers and officers at the Elbit-IMI Academy in Israel. The agreement is valued at €20 million. The Israeli Ministry of Defense press release described this as the third agreement between the two countries since defense cooperation strengthened in 2019.^[11]Army Recognition, Israel and Montenegro sign GTG defense exports agreement involving Elbit Systems Spear mortar systems, 15.05.2023^[12]Israel Defense, Israel, Montenegro sign $20 million defense exports agreement, 15.05.2023^[13]The Israeli Ministry of Defense, Israel and Montenegro Sign GTG Defense Exports Agreement, 15.05.2023 With the first agreement signed in 2019 and the third in 2023, it remains unclear which specific deal constituted the second defense agreement referenced by the Israeli Ministry of Defense.

In addition, in 2015 an Israeli-Serbian consortium, composed of Israel’s A.T.L. Atlantic Technologies Ltd. and Serbia’s CPR-Impex, acquired Montenegro’s defense company, Montenegro Defence Industry (Vojna Industrija Crne Gore). The sale was part of Montenegro’s broader privatization process and marked an early instance of Israeli involvement in the country’s defense industrial sector.^[14]Defense News, Group Buys Montenegro’s Leading Defense Firm, 09.03.2015^[15]Mans, The privatization of military company MDI remains secret, 06.05.2015

Joint Drills:

In March 2025, the Israeli and Montenegrin armies both participated in Iniochos 2025, an annual aerial exercise hosted by Greece. Other countries that participated in this drill are the United States, France, India, Italy, Poland, Qatar, Slovenia, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates.^[16]The Times of Israel, Israel participating in joint air force drills in Greece with 11 other countries, including Qatar, 31.03.2025

Cyber and Surveillance

Montenegrin authorities introduced surveillance cameras in public spaces in the capital Podgorica and the coastal towns of Bar and Budva. The equipment, supplied by Israeli company AnyVision (who later changed its name to Oosto), includes facial recognition software.^[17]Balkan Insight, Montenegro Struggles with Democratic Oversight of State Surveillance, 17.09.2025