Croatia to buy F-16 fighter jets from Israel

Israel had been in competition with several countries that Croatia had asked last year to bid for contracts to supply fighter jets.

By REUTERS
Updated: MARCH 29, 2018 18:01
An Israeli F16 fighter jet takes off during a joint international aerial training exercise hosted by Israel and dubbed "Blue Flag 2017" at Ovda military air base in southern Israel November 8, 2017. Picture taken November 8, 2017. (REUTERS/Amir Cohen) (photo credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)
An Israeli F16 fighter jet takes off during a joint international aerial training exercise hosted by Israel and dubbed "Blue Flag 2017" at Ovda military air base in southern Israel November 8, 2017. Picture taken November 8, 2017. (REUTERS/Amir Cohen)
(photo credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)
ZAGREB - Croatia has accepted Israel's offer to supply a dozen F-16 fighter jets for its air force, the government confirmed on Thursday.
The deal to buy 12 jets that have been in use by the Israeli air force had been recommended by Croatia's national defense council earlier in the week.
"We will be able to use the planes for at least 25 years. The cost will be at most $50 million a year over the next 10 years ," Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told a cabinet session.
Israel had been in competition with several countries that Croatia had asked last year to bid for contracts to supply fighter jets.
Police secure remains of crashed Israeli F-16 (Seth Frantzman)
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Sweden's SAAB was reported by local media as the most serious competitor, offering new Gripen planes, but at a much higher price.
Croatia joined the NATO alliance in 2009 and the European Union in 2013. Its air force currently operates a squadron of outdated MIG-21 fighter jets.


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