Serbia signed a defense deal to buy 12 Rafale Fighter Jets from France’s Dassault Aviation. As per reports, the Contract is worth 3 billion USD. French President Emmanuel Macron hailed the deal as a sign of strategic change, because Serbia maintains close ties with Russia & China. Serbia is going to procure 9 single seater Rafale fighter jets & 3 two-seater Rafale fighter jets including spare engines, parts & logistics package.

French Government is trying to define the Rafale fighter jets contract with Serbia as historic & an opening for Europe in Serbia, which has been a key friendly nation of Russia. However, there is equally a surge of criticism because the contract has been signed with a non-NATO nation, which does not recognize the freedom of neighbor nation Kosovo. Furthermore, there are concerns of leakage of French Rafale Fighter Jets technology to Russia.

“It’s great news because it’s a change, and in so doing, it contributes to peace in Europe, Serbia has other partners, a history of these partnerships, but it’s an opening, a strategic change, despite a lot of pressure. It’s real strategic courage and an opportunity for Europe. To Protect French intellectual property and know-how, have done everything to the highest standards, just as we have done in all the countries where similar contracts have been signed”

Emmanuel Macron, President, France

The Contract for rafale fighter jets was signed between Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and Serbian Minister of Defense Bratislav Gasic in Belgrade, in presence of French President Emmanuel Macron & Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

18 Rafale Fighter Jets have been ordered recently in January by Indonesia in addition to an order from French air force, for an additional 42 Rafale fighter jets. Dassault aviation will have to work hard to fulfil the contracts & ensure timely deliveries. Serbia will be supplied with all the jets by 2029. Reportedly, the contract excludes any long-range missile & armaments but may include short range MICA Missiles.

As per a report published in International Institute for Strategic Studies, the bulging order book may challenge future dealmaking by Dassault Aviation for Rafale Fighter Jet Sales. Hence, Dassault must meet the pressure of manufacturing fast to honor the delivery schedule of contracts and at the same time ensure protection of intellectual property related to the supplies.

On political front, President Macron & Vucic have discussed the boiling tensions between Serbia & Kosovo and the required geopolitical balancing. However, France seems to have looked at the long-term future which includes probable inclusion of Serbia in European Union, that will require a stable military strength of a member state. If Serbia joins EU, this will be a contrasting shift in Serbian politics & international posture and definitely will upset Russia & China. In Past, Serbia also has softly criticized the Russian invasion into Ukraine, which resonates well among the western nations, not enough, but potential indication of an evolving political positioning.