Serbia did things in a big way and in its purest diplomatic tradition. It was in a capital covered with French flags and amid gunfire that Emmanuel Macron was received on Thursday, August 29, to sign what he called “a historic agreement” This Balkan country remained close to Moscow in order to sell it twelve Rafale fighter jets.
The head of state, who abandoned for twenty-four hours the consultations he is holding in Paris to appoint a prime minister, welcomed this export contract, despite its controversial nature. Macron thus estimated that the purchase of Rafale marks a “strategic change” and one “a true demonstration of the European spirit” from a country that until now only had Russian-made Mig-29 fighter planes.
“For the first time we are going to have planes manufactured by the West and I think that is a good path to follow”His Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic also celebrated, saying that “The Rafale is the best aircraft in the world”Serbia has pledged to spend €2.7 billion on nine single-seater and three two-seater aircraft, due for delivery between 2028 and 2029, when its aging Mig-29s reach the end of their service life.
Serbia is the eighth country in the world to opt for the Rafale after Egypt, India or the United Arab Emirates, but it is probably the most sensitive customer due to its historical proximity to Moscow, combined with its geographical position at the heart of Europe and the persistence of frozen conflicts with several of its neighbours, starting with Kosovo.
“A profound political change”
Emmanuel Macron wanted to be positive by assuring that the “Club Rafale” can “participate in peace in Europe” and be a “tremendous opportunity for regional integration” Croatia and Greece are already equipped with the same aircraft. According to Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, who also participated in the trip, the Serbians should get “the most modern model currently in service with the French army.”
However, he refused to specify whether it was the F3R or the F4.1, while neighbouring Croatia recently acquired second-hand F3Rs and is concerned about this contract with its historical enemy. Although Serbia will be able to equip its Rafale with MICA missiles, France has so far refused to give it access to the Meteor, a more recent and longer-range missile.
The French president also dismissed fears of espionage or technology transfer to Russia. “All guarantees are always taken to preserve our intellectual property and our know-how”However, neither Trappier nor the Elysée were able to detail the technical measures that would have been specifically taken to prevent the Serbian client from leaking the technologies to Moscow.
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