Serbia Mulls Purchase of French Dassault Rafale Instead of Russian MiG-29s

(Photo : LUDOVIC MARIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Serbia says that Russian jets are off the table as the French Dassault Rafale is a better option due to the effects of the Ukraine conflict on hardware sales.

Serbia looks to acquire the French Dassault Rafale in the next purchase instead of Russian jets like the Mig-29 in its usual inventory. Its objective is to add to its combat capability by purchasing six MiG-29s, with its current units totaling 11 in all.

Serbia Drops Purchase of Russian Mig-29

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has stated that the MiG-29s have maintenance problems. One of the reasons is the Russian sanction affecting its former buyers getting military hardware, reported Bulgarian Military.

One option for Belgrade is to have alternatives to maintain its air force's capability. The French Rafale is a better option, according to Vucic. He will send a direct request to Paris for the French jet, noted Pentapostagma.

It is much preferred by an Eastern European country to avoid buying from the United States. Belgrade has a historical conflict with the US and will not buy anything from American arms suppliers.

The Rafale is the best French combat aircraft, about 22 years old since it was introduced. Many air forces in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have bought the jet and ignored US jets. Based on sources that did not verify whether armaments will be part of the defense deal that could include the Meteor missile. Many consider the French-built meteor as better than even American air-to-air missiles to date, per Think Defense.

French Dassault Rafale Characteristics

Options are a single or two-man crew version of the Rafale with dual Snecma M88-4e turbofans capable of 11,250 lbs dry thrust with 17,000 lbs when afterburners are used. Capable of nearly 2,000 km/h with a supercruise of Mach 1.4, which the F-35 lacks.

Another relevant capability is a combat radius of about 1,850 km with a g limit of +9 to -3.6 though it maxes out at +11 for extreme maneuvers. Weapons equipped on it is 30 mm autocannon with 125 for close in a dogfight. A variety of air-to-air missiles (AAMs) are also included for all ranges.

Mounted on the jet is a lethal air-to-ground attack payload for stand-off attacks on ground targets. These missiles, like the MBDA Apache, are excellent and effective ordnance on the jet. One plus for the Rafale is that it can use a nuclear-capable missile, but Belgrade is not opting for it.

Even though Belgrade has had good ties to Moscow in the past, that does not mean it will buy Russian equipment. Some sectors tout that the Kremlin is not as tight, but it's yet to be seen.

How the Serbian MiG-29SM does well in combat has no data yet to quantify it. Like older fighters that need to be maintained when Russia makes weapons for itself. The Ukraine conflict has limited military manufacture at home, not export.

An outlet remarked that it's the first instance that Serbia is opting for a defense deal with another country. Speculation when it first came out said the MiG-35 of the Chinese J-17 was in the running. It was a surprise that Serbia would send a request to buy French Dassault Rafale other than its current Russian jets.