Following a recent meeting between Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, French media reported that several aircraft manufacturers have refused to sell their products to Serbia. The French television network "BFM TV" writes that Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of these aircraft, is currently unwilling to discuss a potential sale of aircraft to Serbia.
 |
| Vucic and Macron in Paris, April 8, 2024 |
Just a few days prior, President Vučić held talks with Macron in France regarding a deal between the two countries to purchase 12 French fighter jets, Rafale. However, shortly after this meeting, French media reported that some aircraft manufacturers have refused to sell their products to Serbia.
The French television network "BFM TV" reports that Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of these aircraft, is currently refusing to engage in discussions for a possible sale of aircraft to Serbia. The operation could bring in 3 billion euros, but France aims to receive confirmations regarding political developments in Serbia before finalizing the purchase.
Furthermore, French media highlights that Serbia is increasing its arms purchases, whether European, Chinese, or Russian, and that over the past decade, the Serbian military budget has tripled. From 2012 to 2023, the Serbian military budget tripled, reaching 1.4 billion euros.
This amount surpasses the combined budgets of five other Balkan countries, according to the French media. Between 2014 and 2023, Serbia spent 2.67 billion euros on arms purchases, particularly acquiring the Chinese anti-aircraft system FK-3, Russian helicopters Mi-17 and Mi-35, as well as the Russian air defense system, Pantsir.
Proximity to Russia
The close relationship between the Serbian head of state and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, poses a challenge for Paris. While Serbia has condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine, it has not aligned with Western sanctions. In late March, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dačić visited Moscow, seen by Serbian diplomacy as an opportunity to improve traditionally friendly relations between Serbia and Russia.
Moreover, purchases from Russia and China have not ceased since the annexation of Ukraine in 2022. In February, the Serbian president proudly presented his latest acquisitions: Russian Repellents, an anti-drone system, as well as Chinese drones. He also promised to introduce a domestically produced explosive drone in Serbia by the end of 2024.
"The Republic of Serbia purchases weapons and military equipment from both East and West, selecting those characteristics that will enhance the capabilities of the Serbian armed forces," explained the Serbian Ministry of Defense in March in response to a question from AFP regarding its purchases from Russia and China.
A Potential "Ridiculous" Sale
France has been committed to intensifying its defense cooperation with Serbia for some time. A bilateral defense cooperation agreement has been in place since 2011 and was revived in 2019. However, such cooperation is not for everyone's taste.
"It would be ridiculous for Paris, on the one hand, to mention sending troops to Ukraine, and on the other hand, to sell an extremely sophisticated weapon to one of Russia's closest allies," says Jasmin Mujanović, a political science researcher. Selling Rafale aircraft to this ally of Moscow "would be concerning because it would allow the leakage of information to China and Russia," he believes.
Eyes on Kosovo
According to Serbia's White Paper on Defense, published in 2023, the "greatest security challenge" for Belgrade lies on the other side of the border with Kosovo, which declared independence after a bloody war with over 13,000 deaths. Among the conditions mentioned, the French president also cited the need to ease tensions in relations with Kosovo.
However, if the sale of Rafale goes through, "we might see French fighter jets used to intimidate Kosovo. These aircraft could be used against neighboring countries," warns Jasmin Mujanović. The aircraft, which entered service in 2004 and is intended to fly until the 2060s, is the flagship of France's defense industry export. Seven countries either have Rafale aircraft or have concluded trade agreements to purchase them: Egypt, Qatar, India, Greece, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Croatia.