"We are happy to become part of the Rafale club. We thank the president of France for making this decision and for enabling us to purchase the new Rafales," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic stated during the signing. This highlights Serbia's enthusiasm for modernizing its military capabilities by aligning with France and moving away from reliance on Russian arms.
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the deal would help draw Serbia closer to the European Union. He described the sale as an act of 'strategic courage' and a demonstration of European spirit, underscoring the geopolitical shift in Serbia's military alliances.
Despite the sale being seen as a step towards modernization, critics argue that it supports a government in Belgrade perceived as increasingly autocratic, continuing to hold revisionist narratives on historical conflicts that threaten regional integrity.
With the Rafale acquisition marking the largest weapons deal with Serbia since 2006, it represents a significant shift from Serbia's longstanding dependence on Soviet-era arms, reflecting its evolving military partnerships.
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