Serbia borrows nearly two billion euros to pay for Rafale jets purchased from France

Serbia's Finance Minister, Sinisa Malli, said that his country will borrow around 1.9 billion euros from foreign banks to make full payment for 12 Rafale fighter jets purchased from France.

Speaking at a session of the Serbian Parliament, whose agenda included confirming the loan agreement, Malli said that the first two advances for the procurement have already been paid to the French side.

He said that Serbia will receive the first Rafale aircraft in early 2028 and, thereafter, one every month, reports Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Balkan Service.

"With 12 multi-role combat aircraft, we will improve aviation and the army," said Malli.

The Serbian government, through the Ministry of Defense, reached an agreement for the purchase of these aircraft with the French company, Dassault Aviation, in August 2024.

The purchase of 12 French aircraft and other associated equipment cost 2.7 billion euros.

Of this amount, 823.5 million euros or the entire advance has been paid.

For the new debt, the initial lenders will be several French banks and credit institutions.

The purchase of these aircraft was agreed upon during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Serbia in August 2024.

With this purchase, Serbia, for the first time, introduced Western aircraft into its military aviation.

Serbia has been cooperating with NATO members through the Partnership for Peace Program since 2006, but officials in Belgrade insist that their country is militarily neutral.

In April 2024, when negotiations with France were underway to purchase Rafale aircraft, the Serbian Ministry of Defense said that this did not imply any change in the country's military orientation. /REL

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