After months of negotiations, Serbia and France have reached an agreement for the purchase of Rafale fighter jets, marking a significant step in Serbia’s gradual shift away from its longstanding military ties with Russia, according to Tech.
Two Years of Discussions
French authorities and Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of Rafale jets, have concluded nearly two years of discussions with Serbia.
The deal involves the sale of 12 Rafale jets, with an official announcement expected during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Belgrade on August 29-30.
The Rafale is France's most advanced military aircraft. This twin-engine, multirole fighter features a delta wing design with canard foreplanes, offering exceptional maneuverability at both low and high speeds. The Rafale can reach speeds of up to Mach 1.8, or about 1,324 mph, and operate at altitudes up to 55,000 feet.
One of the Largest Armies
The aircraft is equipped with a 30mm onboard cannon capable of firing 2,500 rounds per minute and 14 pylons for carrying additional weapons. It is compatible with a wide range of missiles and bombs, including long-range air-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, and even nuclear-capable cruise missiles.
The lengthy negotiations were partly influenced by France's insistence on Serbia normalizing relations with Kosovo.
This contract is also seen as strategically beneficial for Dassault Aviation, filling production slots between larger orders from countries like the UAE, France, and Indonesia.
Serbia has one of the largest armies in the Balkans but has historically relied on Soviet-era aircraft supplied by Russia, such as MiG-29 fighters and Mi-35 helicopters.
However, signs of a pivot towards Western military equipment emerged in September 2023 when Serbia received its first C-295 military transport aircraft from Airbus, beginning the replacement of its aging Soviet-made fleet.
