Croatia is still looking for new defense vectors, and this week it received proposals for new and used fighters, so that it can re-equip the country's air force.
A government commission created on July 4 sent a letter to several nations showing interest in acquiring new fighter jets.
Between the end of 2018 and the beginning of this year, the Government of Israel was somewhat advanced with the negotiations, however, in January the sale of the F-16 Barak was vetoed, as the US did not approve the sale.
The fighters, as already mentioned, range from the most modern to used fighters, but which can still be put to good use.
Well, five nations offered new fighters, like the USA with the F-35 and F-16 Block 70/72, Sweden offered the updated version Gripens C/D, Norway and Denmark offered their used F-16 fighters, as well as Israel offering F-16 Barak fighters using it, Italy recommended its Eurofighters and offered two options, one being the Mirage 2000 and the other the new Rafales.
Robert Kopal, special adviser and analyst to Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, said the government's aim would be to conclude purchase contracts for 12 fourth-generation fighters, and that new and used aircraft would be considered as options.
“Our goal is for the contracts to be signed by the end of next year”, said Kopal, adding that analyzes showed that Croatia now needs 12 fighter jets.
Croatia's current fighter fleet still features ex-Soviet MiG-21 jets. The fleet update is necessary and even if they are used fighters, the update seen in relation to the current MiG-21 will already be considerable.
source: Total Coatia News / Edition: Aeroflap
