The Financial Times reported that Serbia plans to buy 12 French Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation worth € 3 billion, adding that the move marks a long-term commitment to the West and Serbia’s diversification from Russian arms.

Over 90 percent of the deal has already been hammered out, a Serbian defence official told the FT.

The political magazine notes that ever since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Serbia proved problematic for the EU for refusing to introduce sanctions on Russia. However, they added that the joint EU/US pressure on President Aleksandar Vucic resulted in Serbia’s arms shipments to Ukraine and purchases of Western arms for their own use.

Recently, the FT pointed out, that French President Emmanuel Macron reached out to Vucic and supported his country’s EU accession. The two also discussed Serbia’s role in Europe’s ammunition production. He further hinted that Serbia should recognize Kosovo as part of their rapprochement to the West.

Apart from the 12 planes, the deal will include auxiliary systems from the French manufacturer, training and maintenance, the FT added.