FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Serbia, traditionally Russia's "little brother" in the Balkans, is close to a deal with France for more than a dozen Dassault Rafale fighter jets, signaling a significant shift in its military procurement strategy.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's announcement of the impending deal, potentially involving 12 aircraft for around 3 billion euros, underscores Serbia's nuanced position between its Slavic, Eastern Orthodox partnership with Russia and a gradual alignment with Western military standards.
Despite its EU candidacy and military neutrality, Serbia's legacy of Soviet-era military equipment is evolving, with recent purchases from Western and Chinese suppliers indicating a wider defense diversification.
Serbia remains Russia's closest ally in the Balkans, an alliance rooted in both countries' Slavic identity and Eastern Orthodox faith. Earlier this year, Serbia even cracked down on anti-war Russians living in the country.
However, despite being Russia's "little brother" in the Balkans, Serbia is moving closer to a deal to buy more than a dozen Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France.
" It seems to me that we have also reached some concrete agreements for the purchase of Rafales, and I expect that the contracts will be signed within two months in the presence of the French president, which is extremely important for our country on many levels ," said Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on 9 April during a visit to Paris.
The exact number of aircraft that Belgrade can buy has not been made public, nor has the price. However, Vucic said in 2023 that Serbia sought to buy 12 Rafale fighters for about 3 billion euros ($3.26 billion). This will include 10 single-seat and two-seat fighters, while the weapons package may also include MICA missiles and beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles, along with a flight simulator for the aircraft and a multi-year integrated logistics package supportive.
As previously reported by The National Interest, the Dassault Rafale has been a cornerstone of French military aviation since 2001. It is the epitome of versatility and advanced technology in the field of multi-role combat aircraft. With a fleet of 234 in France and additional units on order, Rafale's global footprint has also expanded thanks to export orders from countries such as Egypt, India and Qatar.
A departure from Russian hardware
Serbia remains a candidate for membership in the European Union. It maintains one of the largest armies in the Balkans and still relies heavily on Soviet-designed aircraft, particularly the Mikoyan MiG-29 twin-engine fighter and the Mil Mi-35 attack helicopter.
Belgrade also operates Russian tanks and rocket launchers, but has also adopted Chinese anti-aircraft systems and combat drones. Vucic has sought to expand cooperation with Airbus and Thales. Serbia has purchased the H125M helicopter manufactured by Airbus, as well as C-295 transport aircraft, for its army and police.
Serbia remains militarily neutral. It maintains its historic ties with Russia, but also joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program, which is tailored for those countries that do not aspire to join the transatlantic alliance. Vucic has made it clear that his country will seek other arms suppliers after the introduction of Western sanctions against Russia for its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The Serbian military has increasingly been modeled after NATO standards, and its ground forces have participated in military exercises with alliance members, including the United States. However, critics of Serbia's Western armaments warn that the sale of sophisticated French jets could encourage Vucic to intervene militarily in neighboring Kosovo. The former Serbian province declared independence in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize it. The Serbian populist leader has made several veiled threats in recent months, the Associated Press has reported. / Adapted "Pamphlet" from "The National Interest".
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