Serbia in talks with Dassault over Rafale jets, broader cooperation

"We had a meeting with a Dassault group on Rafale but also on other types of cooperation. We are going to sign a contract which will significantly improve the safety of our country," Vucic said in a statement issued by his press office on Monday.

The Serbian president is on a two-day visit to France on April 8-9. He has met French president Emmanuel Macron and discussed the strategic cooperation between the two countries in the areas of defence, energy and high technology, among others.

Serbia has been considering the purchase of Rafale jets for more than two years now. French media reported in April 2022 that initially Serbia and Dassault Aviation discussed the purchase of six aircraft but subsequently the number was increased to 12.

In November 2021, when Croatia bought from France 12 used Rafale jets, Vucic hinted in an interview with local broadcaster TV Prva that Serbia could also decide to acquire such jets.

The potential acquisition of Rafale jets would allow Serbia to modernise its Air Force fleet consisting mainly of Soviet-made MiG-21 and MiG-29 fighters as well as old Yugoslav combat aircraft Soko J-22 Orao and Soko G-4 Super Galeb.