10.04.2024.
Statement
The Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, as well as the vast majority of the citizens of our country, have warmly welcomed the news that the President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces, Aleksandar Vučić, has signed a deal with French President Emmanuel Macron on the purchase of 12 French Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation. It is one of the most modern fighter jet types in the world, and its introduction into the Serbian Air Force and Air Defence’s fleet will ensure long-term protection of the airspace of the Republic of Serbia and provide greater security for our country and citizens.
Therefore, we think that the opinions expressed in public that the said acquisition is an alleged violation of neutrality on the part of the Republic of Serbia are entirely unfounded and incompetent, and that the only reason for making such public statements is to generate publicity in an artificial manner and mislead the public.
Namely, our country’s proclaimed neutrality refers, above all, to the determination of the Republic of Serbia not to join any existing military alliances and to make all decisions pertaining to defence independently and to assume full responsibility for them. The state leadership, with the President of the Republic as head of state, has demonstrated this kind of responsibility several times in the previous period, in an effort to provide the Serbian Armed Forces with the most modern weapons and equipment available on the world market.
We would like to remind you that over the past few years, the Republic of Serbia has made a number of purchases of modern aircraft, air defence missile systems, radars, combat vehicles, electronic systems and other equipment from various countries, including the Russian Federation, the People's Republic of China, the United States of America, Spain and France. Each of the aforementioned acquisitions was made exclusively in accordance with the requirements of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, the main professional staff body, whose assessments were based on the needs of our units, as well as on technical and tactical characteristics and quality of materiel that can be purchased on the world market.
None of the aforementioned acquisitions, including the announced acquisition of the Rafale multi-purpose fighter jets, has been, nor can be, an act of disrespect to the neutrality of the Republic of Serbia, but is solely an act of statesmanship, patriotism and professional responsibility for the defence of the country and the safety of all our citizens.
The Ministry of Defence calls upon all political actors in the country to omit defence matters from their daily political agendas and to unite to champion the national and security interests of the Republic of Serbia, especially in the current context of global instability.
