"Negotiations are underway on the Rafale fighter": Serbian press on Belgrade's intention to expand the Air Force

During his pre-election tour around the country, Serbian leader Aleksandr Vucic revealed a number of plans regarding the modernization of the military aviation country. According to him, the Air Force intends to develop by purchasing new helicopters, implementing the Eagle 2.0 program [a local light fighter under development] and expanding the fleet of fighters.

In terms of rotary-wing aircraft, it was about the acquisition of 11 Airbus H145M (in the HForce 3 configuration), 4 Mi-35M (already paid for, shipment to Belgrade is expected in 2022), 3 Mi-17 and 11 used Mi-35P helicopters [possibly referring to the helicopters in service with Cyprus].

On October 12, the Serbian President announced the possibility of acquiring new aircraft:

We have enough pilots for helicopters, but there is a shortage of pilots for airplanes. We have to send new pilots to Russia for training, or we can take [aircraft] from another country, a slightly different country.

On October 13, Vucic again referred to "fighter-bomber aircraft", indicating that "the first negotiations are starting" on this matter.

This coincides with our information that a delegation from the Serbian Ministry of Defense was in talks with the [French fighter] Rafale manufacturer at an exhibition in Dubai

- noted in Tango Six.

However, this conclusion, drawn in the Serbian press, seems extremely hasty. The very wording "a slightly different country" when mentioning Russia may indicate that we are talking about a certain state close to the Russian Federation - Belarus. Moreover, Minsk has already carried out deliveries of modernized MiG-29s to Serbia.

Be that as it may, but at the same time Vucic made it clear that the country's air force needed a second squadron of 12 aircraft. The first, consisting of the MiG-29, has already been formed thanks to the help of Russia and Belarus.

Comments

[Borik]

You feed, feed, but they still look to the west.

[isv000]

Quote: Borik

You feed, feed, but they still look to the west.

Well, quite recently, the Russian ambassador with a representative of the General Staff on the Kosovo border put out the fuse, they gave a substantial discount on gas ... Involuntarily, an analogy is drawn between the Syabrs and the Serbs ...

[sabakina]

Quote: isv000

Quote: Borik

You feed, feed, but they still look to the west.

Well, quite recently, the Russian ambassador with a representative of the General Staff on the Kosovo border put out the fuse, they gave a substantial discount on gas ... Involuntarily, an analogy is drawn between the Syabrs and the Serbs ...

I do not know what was being extinguished there on the Kosovo border, but the Syabrs have only one way out, "either pan or disappear" ... I think they will choose the right one.

[Kasym]

Better than the MiG-29, there is nothing among the front-line fighters!

[Civil]

Quote: Borik

You feed, feed, but they still look to the west.

Also multi-vector ... and since 2012 Serbia is an official candidate for the EU.

[SKVichyakow]

Quote: Borik

You feed, feed, but they still look to the west.

Instinct works, what if there are cheaper and more? Begins to resemble Lukashenka.

[the most important]

A complete feeling that Vucic is on his own and is also trading multi-vector.

[Zoldat_A]

Quote: the most important

A complete feeling that Vucic is on his own and is also trading multi-vector.

For the time being. One of them has already bargained for it - the West helped him to understand that the life of the country is not a problem in physics. There must be one vector. And he understood. And I was able to make the right decision. If this one begins to sin with multiple vectors, the political officers from the Castle on the Hill will also help him. I watched his communication with Putin - a man, it seems, is not stupid. Hopefully, he will have time to go to Moscow and then he won't have to go to The Hague.

[expert]

I don't think Vucic is "multi-vector." I listened to his interview with Solovyov.
Either in my middle years I retained my childish naivete and credulity, or Vucic was as sincere as his post allows him.
Each of his statements was imbued with an understanding of the importance of fraternal (sorry, this term has been very distorted in recent years) and responsible relations with Russia.
In addition, he announced a gift from the President of Russia, which he has no right to say.
So I think the French are going to "wash themselves with their paws." I mean, Serbs won't buy their eraplans.

[Ural resident]

Quote: Fachmann

I don't think Vucic is "multi-vector." I listened to his interview with Solovyov.
Either in my middle years I retained my childish naivete and credulity, or Vucic was as sincere as his post allows him.
Each of his statements was imbued with an understanding of the importance of fraternal (sorry, this term has been very distorted in recent years) and responsible relations with Russia.
In addition, he announced a gift from the President of Russia, which he has no right to say.
So I think the French are going to "wash themselves with their paws." I mean, Serbs won't buy their eraplans.

He was interviewed by a Russian journalist for a Russian audience. We heard what we wanted to hear. In fairness, it must be said that it is difficult to maneuver surrounded by enemies. Russia, as I understand it, is not going to take Serbia under its wing, but the threat remains. Will not will, you will look for "lobbyists".

[aslan balaev]

Quote: Fachmann

I don't think Vucic is "multi-vector." I listened to his interview with Solovyov.
Either in my middle years I retained my childish naivete and credulity, or Vucic was as sincere as his post allows him.
Each of his statements was imbued with an understanding of the importance of fraternal (sorry, this term has been very distorted in recent years) and responsible relations with Russia.
In addition, he announced a gift from the President of Russia, which he has no right to say.
So I think the French are going to "wash themselves with their paws." I mean, Serbs won't buy their eraplans.

Perhaps you are not naive and not childish gullibility. Look at the map. Look there, no, not Serbia, but Montenegro, a NATO member. Serbia simply has no choice. And not only at sea. I have no doubt about the sympathies of Vucic and Serbia in general towards Russia. But you see, you can't fix things here with gifts. It is not fair to blame the Serbs for the loss of Serbia for Russia. The fate of Serbia, I will say more, the whole of Yugoslavia was decided by others. About 30 years ago.

[alystan]

This is how you think about him, but it would be more interesting to listen / read the opinion of the Serbs themselves about their president. They probably have exactly the same division of opinions as in Russia regarding Putin.
The slip of the tongue / typo at the end of his phrase about the purchase of planes seemed strange, in my opinion it would be more logical "... or we can take [planes] from another country, or a little from another country". But the whole phrase is somehow strange, or the translation is unsuccessful.

We have enough pilots for helicopters, but there is a shortage of pilots [for airplanes]. We have to send new pilots to Russia for training, or we can take [aircraft] from another country, from a slightly different country.

[pytar]

This coincides with our information that a delegation from the Serbian Ministry of Defense was negotiating with the [French fighter] Rafale manufacturer at an exhibition in Dubai - noted in Tango Six.

Rafal is a good plane, but expensive. Serbia's desire to have such a serious argument in service is understandable, there is nothing surprising that it is showing interest. Recently, Rafali has become very successful in foreign markets.

[paul3390]

Are they sure that in the event of a conflict with any of their potential adversaries, the NATO equipment will at least start up, let alone fly?

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: paul3390

Are they sure that in the event of a conflict with any of their potential adversaries, the NATO equipment will at least start up, let alone fly?

Has this ever happened?

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

By accident, 80% of Argentine bombs and missiles did not explode when hitting British ships during the Falklands War.

[OgnennyiKotik]

Why then did 20% work? And what does NATO have to do with it? Especially England?

[alystan]

Because this is the "West" with its "age-old" rules of the game.

[voyaka uh]

It is sometimes necessary to check the setting of the bomb fuses during exercises.
Then there will be no such unpleasant surprises in the war.

[Liam]

The bombs did not explode because, due to the Harriers, the args were forced to fly at extremely low levels so as not to be detected, and the performance characteristics of bombs and missiles were not designed to be used from such heights

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

And the French missiles, which did not explode, were also not designed to be used from such heights?

[Avior]

The bombs had fuses to prevent an explosion when dropped at very low altitudes so that they would not catch their own aircraft. And since the British forced the Argentines to bomb from extremely low altitudes, the bombs did not have time to dream from the fuse

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

What was wrong with the French missiles? What heights hindered there?

[Avior]

And what was wrong with them? Didn't you fly?

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

Yes, the same as with bombs.

[Avior]

The bombs did not explode due to the low drop height. And the rockets flew and exploded. Like the aviation of the Argentines flew, it was full of French superettandars and mirages

[zyablik.olga]

Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich

By accident, 80% of Argentine bombs and missiles did not explode when hitting British ships during the Falklands War.

Ask how old these bombs were, and at what height their fuses were designed for use.

[Bagatur]

Trash times World War II ...

[paul3390]

Saddam's French air defense? Not?

[OgnennyiKotik]

Quote: paul3390

Saddam's French air defense? Not?

Rolands? Who shot down Tornado, A-6E, A-10? This is at least. They were too effective. Maybe there were bookmarks in the Soviet air defense systems? Was there the bulk of them?

[zyablik.olga]

Quote: paul3390

Saddam's French air defense? Not?

What are you talking about? Air defense in Iraq was 90% Soviet-made.

[Pereira]

The air defense control system was French. And the French turned it off.

[zyablik.olga]

Quote: Pereira

The air defense control system was French. And the French turned it off.

If you do not know what you are talking about, do not talk about it. The air defense automatic control systems were Soviet, and the cable communication lines were made in France.

[pytar]

Are they sure that in the event of a conflict with any of their potential adversaries, the NATO equipment will at least start up, let alone fly?

Those who will make decisions about the eventual purchase are definitely not fools and no more stupid than you and me. They will take into account all the factors and will probably make sure that everything is normal.

[Bradley]

What a kindergarten.
Such bookmarks would have been burned long ago, after which no one would have bought anything from the "mortgagee". This is a serious blow to the reputation as an arms dealer.
No one in their right mind would do that.

[Sergey Aleksandrovich]

Such a technique will most likely contain hidden bookmarks and systems for recognizing friend or foe; in a serious conflict it will be absolutely useless, given that Serbia's opponents are precisely supported by NATO countries.

[aslan balaev]

Quote: Sergey Alexandrovich

Such a technique will most likely contain hidden bookmarks and systems for recognizing friend or foe; in a serious conflict it will be absolutely useless, given that Serbia's opponents are precisely supported by NATO countries.

Yes, if Serbia itself does not find itself in NATO in a few years.

[Raven 95]

And take Vučić and make a knight's move, he will put his friend's Russian one.
And the French system - a valuable parcel post back to France.

[agoran]

Serbia is not that rich country to buy Rafale products.
There are not only s-you, ASP, spare parts, repair, flight training and ITS.
And that costs a lot of money.
Most likely, they will supply s-you for one AE or from the Republic of Belarus, or the Russian Federation.

[Raven 95]

The economic man is still Old Man. Re-equips Baranovichi on the Su-30SM, and builds old MiGs not to a landfill, but with fanfare attaches to a profit.

[Vaўkalak]

Well, there is not much benefit. Those 4 MiG-29s were handed over to the Serbs for free, they only paid for the CWR and partial modernization. The only benefit for the 558th ARZ is in the form of an order and payment for the work.

[sportline]

I think the Serbs should wait for the Su-75. In terms of price / quality ratio, they will have a great car.

[A.K.]

I think the moment 35 is the very thing and it's easier to service because the moment 29 already has a price.

[Lykases1]

Will he be needed when they wait for him? The layout and the airplane are slightly different things.

[sportline]

Not known. It all depends on the tasks facing the Serbian Defense Ministry. And from their military doctrine.

[Ratmir_Ryazan]

Rafali, complete with training and weapons systems, cost $ 200 million apiece.

Serbia cannot afford them.

[marat2016]

Is that very boo. Spending 2000 million on planes (10 pieces), well, I don’t know, for that kind of money you can get a very good air defense system ...

[75 Sergey]

Well done guys, why buy from Russia, she already loads it for that, it's better to spend money on NATO equipment!

[ja-ja-vw]

His heavily drunk Masha Zakharova offended

Such attacks - peasants do not forgive babs.
So we are reaping.

[garik77]

Something I doubt about Rafale. More like stuffing. The price of the cars, judging by the Indian contract, is prohibitively high, and besides, you cannot just buy airplanes, you will also have to buy infrastructure, weapons, train personnel in servicing for them ... It is too tough for the Serbs.
In general, my opinion is nonsense.

[donavi49]

There are other contracts besides the Indian one.

Croatia, which is not much richer, bought 12 Rafales in a light used one and with a 1-year guarantee for 1 billion euros in installments:
Recall that on May 28, 2021, following the results of the international competition for the Croatian program for the selection of a new Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), the Croatian government decided to purchase 12 French fighters Dassault Rafale (ten singles and two doubles) modifications of the F3R.
The Croatian government has reported that the French proposal had a value of 999 million euros and provided for "convenient payment by installments". including, in addition to the delivery of 12 Rafale aircraft from the French Aerospace Forces, ground simulator stated, "base"(apparently minimal) weapon kit, ground and test equipment, spare parts, training personnel on the principle of "train the trainers", comprehensive support from the authorized representatives of the manufacturers for a period of three years, and 12 months warranty for each delivered aircraft, engine and other equipment and spare parts.

The Greeks also bought a mix of 18 aircraft (12 used and 6 new) for 2 lard and put a bunch of weapons in these 2 lard.

And Serbs should not be considered beggars. If Russia itself offers as a gift, then it is stupid to refuse. Serbia's military budget is 1,5 lard dollars and this is only 2%, that is, they do not even fulfill the NATO norm. Resources for a one-time purchase of Rafale, especially with an installment loan, are quite there.

[riwas]

"Negotiations are underway on the Rafale fighter": Serbian press on Belgrade's intention to expand the Air Force

One has already played out with a multi-vector approach, but it does not reach the second.

[Battlehammer]

Quote: Borik

You feed, feed, but they still look to the west.

Your comment sounds disappointing, if not malicious, so I want to clear it up a bit.
Serbia has already ordered two more Pantsir batteries and several new Russian helicopters. The Serbian army wants the S-400, but cannot afford it, and even if it could, the West would respond with sanctions. Geopolitically, Serbia, surrounded by NATO, cannot join Russia and therefore cannot buy all weapons systems from Russia. This should be common sense. There are absolutely no negotiations on the Rafale fighter. Serbia cannot afford them, and there will be enough for the MiG-5 for the next 10-29 years. It's just a tabloid headline.
I am very sorry that I do not speak Russian well.