Serbia Signs Contract with France to Buy 12 Rafale Jets Worth $2.99 billion

Serbia on Thursday signed a € 2.7 billion ($2.99 billion) deal with France to buy 12 new built Rafale fighter jets marking the first time the Eastern European nation is buying Western aircraft.

A ceremony to exchange bilateral documents signed by Serbia and France was held on August 29 at the Palace of Serbia, in the presence of the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić exchanged the signed contract for the purchase of Rafale aircraft and accompanying goods and services with the CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier.

The total value of the contract for the purchase of 12 brand new aircraft and all accompanying equipment is € 2.7 billion ($2.99 billion).

Earlier yesterday, Minister Gašić signed the said Rafale purchase agreement with the CEO of Dassault Aviation, Trappier.

The signing of the contract was attended by Assistant Minister for Material Resources Nenad Miloradović, Ph.D., Air Force and Air Defence Commander Lt. Gen. Duško Žarković and representatives of Dassault Aviation.

The purchase of Rafale aircraft for the Serbian Air Force and Air Defence will ensure a long-term protection of the airspace of the Republic of Serbia and contribute to the overall safety of our country and citizens, a Serbian MoD release said.