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 an understanding the economy, energy, and defence.
In recent years, Serbia has increased its acquisition of defence assets, including the “Pantsir” and Chinese-made air defence 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.
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 customer demand.
According to the French newspaper Le Tribune, Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier stated that the company can produce up to four Rafale jets monthly 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, 60 in 2023 and 92 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 of 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.
Regarding concerns over the FCAS, the French defence 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. However, as they enter the 2030s, they will be upgraded to the F5 or “Super Rafale” variant with several sixth-generation capabilities.
The Rafale fighter jet entered service with the French Air Force and Navy between 2004 and 2006 and has been deployed in Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, and Syria.
With this latest order, the French Air Force has now ordered 234 Rafale jets.
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, and countries are 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 discussing with Dassault Aviation to upgrade its fleet of 36 Rafale jets to the latest and most capable “F4” variant.
Qatar wants to upgrade its Rafale jets to the latest variant and is in talks with Dassault Aviation to acquire an additional 24 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
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