French military aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation has secured a contract from Serbia for 12 Rafale combat aircraft.
Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier and Serbian Minister of Defence Bratislav Gasic signed the deal on Thursday in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, part of the two nations’ commitment to nurturing a successful bilateral relationship.
“Serbia’s decision to equip itself for the first time with a Dassault aircraft confirms the Rafale’s operational superiority and its proven excellence in serving the sovereign interests of a nation,” Trappier said. He added that the company is committed to ensuring the successful integration of the Rafale into the Serbian armed forces.
The Rafale, a twin-jet fighter aircraft, is designed to fulfill various combat aviation missions, including close air support, in-depth strikes and nuclear deterrence.
France is among the long list of nations, including Egypt, India and Indonesia, that rely on the jet. In January, the French government made an order for 42 new Rafale aircraft under a $5.5 billion deal to expand the country’s fleet of 192 aircraft.