French President Emmanuel Macron is embarking on a two-day state visit to Serbia with a primary focus on the potential sale of 12 Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets to the country. The deal, reportedly worth 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion), is expected to be announced during Macron's meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade.
The warplane talks are part of a broader strategy aimed at bringing Serbia closer to the European Union. Serbia, which has maintained close ties with Russia, is in need of upgrading its fleet, and the Rafale is seen as a strategic choice for Belgrade, offering an alternative to relying solely on Russian equipment.
Despite formally seeking EU membership, Serbia has made limited progress in key areas such as rule of law and democratic reforms under Vucic's increasingly autocratic rule. Macron, in a letter to the Serbian public, emphasized the importance of pursuing a strong and democratic Serbia within the EU.
Macron also highlighted the need for Serbia to reevaluate its balancing act between world powers, particularly in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He stressed that Serbia's interests and identity would be better protected within the EU.
The potential acquisition of Rafale jets would enable Serbia to modernize its air force, currently dominated by Soviet-made MiG-29 fighters and aging Yugoslav combat aircraft. This move comes as Russia has traditionally been a key supplier of military aircraft to Serbia.
The prospect of selling Rafales to Serbia, a Russian ally with a history of occasional aggression towards its Balkan neighbors, has raised concerns. Questions have been raised about how France plans to prevent the sharing of sophisticated Rafale technology with Russia.
Macron's discussions with Vucic will also address simmering tensions in the Balkans, particularly regarding Kosovo, which declared independence in 2008. Macron's itinerary includes visits to a museum, an economic forum on artificial intelligence in Novi Sad, and potential cooperation with French energy provider EDF in the field of nuclear power plant technology.
