He said he was “grateful” to “join the prestigious Rafale club”. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic signed the purchase of 12 Rafale fighter jets on Thursday, August 29, under the gaze of French President Emmanuel Macron. The French President was visiting Belgrade to finalize several economic agreements and reiterate his desire to see the Serbs join a “strong and sovereign” European Union.
“Serbia’s choice of Rafale fighter jets is a clear choice, that of a long-term alliance between our two countries within a stronger and more sovereign Europe,” said Emmanuel Macron, stressing the “strategic change” that this contract represents for Belgrade, whose air force was until now composed of Russian Migs.
Serbia has always maintained friendly relations with Russia, has never imposed sanctions on Moscow since the war in Ukraine and announced at the beginning of the year the acquisition of the Russian anti-drone system Repellent. Questioned several times about these links, and the risks of seeing French combat aircraft flown by an army that also obtains supplies from Moscow and Beijing, Emmanuel Macron preferred to congratulate himself on the contract signed with Dassault Aviation. “I see so many people who criticize Serbia for having partnerships with Russia and China, why don’t we congratulate ourselves when the partnership with France is formidable?” said the French president.
The Serbian president also defended this balancing act between East and West. “I am proud of Serbian foreign policy,” said Aleksandar Vucic. “I know that Emmanuel [NDLR : Macron] “Would like to see sanctions imposed on Russia, I know he would like that. But we have not done it, and we are not ashamed of it,” Vucic insisted, recalling that Serbia had sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine and recognized its “territorial integrity.”
2.7 billion euros
The twelve Rafales (nine single-seaters and three two-seaters) will cost 2.7 billion euros, Aleksandar Vucic specified just after the signing, and should replace the Serbian army’s aging fleet of Russian Migs by 2029.
Speaking to AFP, President Vucic argued that almost all of the Serbian “interceptor planes” and “all” of the “combat planes came from Russia.” “We have to evolve, change our habits and everything else in order to prepare our army,” he said.
France also puts forward this argument, evoking a logic of “tying Serbia to the European Union”. Belgrade can make the “strategic choice” of “cooperating with a European country” to renew its fleet, it is hoped in Paris.
“Serbia’s place is in the European Union”
For Vuk Vuksanovic, of the Centre for Security Policy, a think tank in the Serbian capital, “the signing of this agreement shows how, in the last two years, in terms of defence, Russian influence in Serbia has declined, at the same time as that of the European Union has grown”. Without believing however “that this will have an impact on membership in the European Union”.
France officially supports Serbia’s EU accession process, defended by Aleksandar Vucic despite a public opinion that is largely against it.
“Serbia’s place is in the European Union, it has an important role to play, which can serve as an example and a driving force for the entire region. And we are determined to continue to support all efforts to consolidate in this regard, your economic strength, economic reforms, the improvement of daily life as well as the rule of law,” Mr. Macron stressed at a press conference.
Eight months after Serbian legislative elections marred by fraud according to the OECD and the European Parliament, won by the presidential party, Mr. Macron hopes that “accession negotiations can move forward and that the conditions are quickly met for the opening of a new block of chapters”. For the time being, out of 35 chapters, 22 have been opened, and only two partially closed.