Serbia is expected to become another customer for the French Dassault Rafale fighter. The president of the Eastern European country, Aleksandar Vucic, said in Paris that the Serbian Air Force is expected to order 12 combat aircraft in the coming months.
The French jets will replace 14 Russian MiG-29s and be complemented by 17 older Soko J-22 attack aircraft.
Vucic further stated that he and French President Emmanuel Macron had reached an agreement to acquire the Rafale fighter jets. The value of the deal is estimated at US$3.26 billion.
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“The contract is expected to be signed in the next two months and in the presence of the president of France,” Vucic said on Tuesday.
Rafale expands sales under the shadow of the F-35
Dassault has won several orders for the Rafale, a 4th generation fighter developed in the 1980s and which, until a few years ago, was operated by a few countries.
Although it lost several competitions in Europe and developed countries to the Lockheed Martin F-35, a 5th generation stealth fighter, the Rafale has used the opportunity to win over customers who do not have the resources or US approval to order more advanced planes.
Rafale currently operates in France (Air Force and Navy), Croatia, Egypt, Greece, India and Qatar. The next to receive the fighter jet are Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.
Dassault is also competing for an order from Saudi Arabia with the Eurofighter Typhoon.
