Serbia secures the sale of 12 Rafale fighters from France following French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Belgrade.
Following Croatia’s interest in Rafale, the Serbian President indicated at the IDEX show in Abu Dhabi in 2023 that he wanted to invest three billion euros to acquire the Rafale.
The fighters should be delivered to the F4.1 standard. The agreement between France and Serbia concerns the delivery of nine single-seater Rafales and three two-seaters for €2.7 billion.
The Serbian Air Force is currently equipped with ageing aircraft dating from the Soviet era: fourteen MiG-29s and seventeen SokoJ-22 Oraos.
The F4.1 standard is intended to be more resistant to cyber-attacks, with improved sensors increasing detection capabilities and the integration of the 1,000 kg AASM (Modular Air-Ground Armament) “Hammer” GPS/laser-guided bombs. Serbia could adapt its current armament to incorporate it into the Rafale.
