Purchase of Rafale jets no violation of Serbia's military neutrality - MoD

BELGRADE - The Serbian Ministry of Defence dismissed on Wednesday as "extremely unfounded and incompetent" allegations that a purchase of 12 new Rafale multirole fighter jets was a violation of Serbia's military neutrality, and noted that such claims were aimed at generating artificial publicity and deceiving the public.

In a statement, the ministry said the Rafale was one of the most advanced aircraft of its kind and that its induction into the arsenal of the Serbian Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Defence would ensure long-term protection of Serbian airspace and contribute to overall security of the country and its citizens.

It said Serbia's proclaimed military neutrality pertained, above all, to the country's commitment not to join any existing military alliance and to make all decisions on defence affairs on its own and take full responsibility for them.

The state leadership, headed by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, has demonstrated a sense of that responsibility on several occasions in the past by striving to provide to the Serbian Armed Forces the most modern arms and equipment available in the global market, it said.

In recent years, Serbia has completed a series of purchases of modern aircraft, anti-aircraft missile systems, radars, combat vehicles, electronic systems and other equipment from different countries including Russia, China, the US, Spain and France, it also said.

None of those purchases, including the announced purchase of Rafale jets, is, nor can be, an act of disrespect for Serbia's military neutrality, but is exclusively an act of statesmanly, patriotic and professional responsibility for the defence of the country and security of all our citizens, the ministry said.