(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – The Rafale fighter jet is set to gain another customer as France and its aerospace company, Dassault Aviation, are nearing an agreement with Serbia to sell between 10 to 12 of the omnirole fighter jets, valued at an estimated $3.4 billion (RM14.62 billion).
The deal between the two countries is expected to be finalized during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Serbia this Thursday.
During this visit, Macron and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic are anticipated to sign the agreement, which will also include understandings in the fields of economy, energy, and defense.
In recent years, Serbia has increased its acquisition of defense assets, including the “Pantsir” air defense system and Chinese-made air defense systems.
Despite Serbia’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Vucic has not joined the European Union (EU) and other countries in imposing economic sanctions on Moscow or severing ties with Russia.
Serbia has also enhanced its cooperation with China, including the purchase of defense systems.
A few months ago, Dassault Aviation announced plans to increase the production of Rafale jets to three units per month in 2024, up from two per month, due to rising demand from customers.
According to the French newspaper Le Tribune, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier stated that the company has the capability to produce up to four Rafale jets per month to meet the growing demand.
“We are moving from a stage of producing less than one (jet) in 2020, which was a critical situation, to three (jets). Currently, we are at two (jets),” Trappier said.
This year alone, Dassault Aviation has already secured orders for 18 Rafale jets, with 60 orders in 2023 and 92 orders in 2022.
In early January, France confirmed it would spend $5.5 billion (RM24.75 billion) to acquire 42 Rafale fighter jets.
The addition of Rafale jets to the French Air Force follows concerns raised by French lawmakers regarding the progress of the “Future Combat Air System” (FCAS), a sixth-generation fighter jet development program by the France-Germany consortium meant to replace the Rafale.
In response to concerns over the FCAS, the French defense procurement agency has informed Dassault Aviation and other component manufacturers such as Safran, Thales, and MBDA about the latest order for 42 Rafale jets.
All 42 newly ordered Rafale jets for the French Air Force will be the F4 variant, but they will be upgraded to the F5 or “Super Rafale” variant with several sixth-generation capabilities as they enter the 2030s.
The Rafale fighter jet entered service with the French Air Force and Navy between 2004-2006 and has been deployed in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria.
With this latest order, the total number of Rafale jets ordered by the French Air Force now stands at 234.
In addition to the French Air Force orders, Dassault Aviation has also received orders for 261 Rafale jets from several countries, including Indonesia, India, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Rafale fighter jet is currently in high demand in the Gulf region, with one country after another seeking to acquire it.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly considering purchasing 54 Rafale jets, although French media have claimed the world’s second-largest oil producer is looking to buy 100 French-made fighter jets.
Saudi Arabia’s strong interest in the Rafale follows reports that another wealthy Gulf nation, Qatar, is in discussions with Dassault Aviation to upgrade its fleet of 36 Rafale jets to the latest and most capable “F4” variant.
Not only does Qatar want to upgrade its Rafale jets to the latest variant, but it is also in talks with Dassault Aviation to acquire an additional 24 Rafale jets by next year or 2025.
France is also hopeful that Egypt will increase its fleet of Rafale jets following its decision to cancel the purchase of Su-35 fighter jets from Russia. Egypt currently owns 54 Rafale jets. — DSA