Plenković: Israeli aircraft will serve the military for at least the next 25 years

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Thursday that the decision to procure 12 Israeli F-16 C/D Barak aircraft will ensure the capabilities of the Croatian armed forces and air force for at least the next 25 years.

– These are aircraft that will arrive in Croatia fully adapted to NATO standards, and the cost will fully include everything necessary for these aircraft to be available to the Croatian armed forces and air force for at least the next 25 years. I am confident that, given the development of technology and the capabilities of this fourth-generation F-16 aircraft, these planes will ensure the capability of the Croatian armed forces until the middle of this century, said Plenković at the beginning of the Government session, commenting on the decision to procure 12 F-16 C/D Barak aircraft.

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Emphasizing that last year they thoroughly discussed this topic at the Defense Council and reached a consensus that Croatia needs an air force because the current state of the Croatian Air Force does not meet the criteria and long-term solutions, Plenković said that after a transparent process, the decision was made to procure Israeli F-16 fighter jets.

He emphasized that this is a strategic and generational decision in terms of procurement for the Croatian armed forces to strengthen them and contribute to security in the broader environment, making Croatia a more respectable member of NATO and the EU.

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Speaking about the financial aspect of procuring these aircraft, the Prime Minister said that the procurement costs over the next ten years will cost the country a maximum of $50 million annually, and probably less. Plenković stated that this decision was made in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and all other departments and represents our political will and desire to strengthen strategic partnerships with the USA and Israel.

Krstičević: The procurement of aircraft is a prerequisite for economic development

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Damir Krstičević emphasized that the decision to procure fighter jets is an investment in the security of Croatia, which is a prerequisite for its stability and future economic development.

– This is a historic day for the Croatian Air Force; we have retained the capability to monitor airspace and the tradition of fighter aviation. This decision is affordable and at this moment the best for us, said Krstičević, presenting at the Government session the decision to accept the final proposal of the Ministry of Defense’s expert team and the recommendation of the Defense Council, determining that the most favorable Israeli offer for the procurement of fighter aircraft is accepted.

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– The Croatian Air Force now has a bright future, and the Croatian Army is making a significant technological leap in step with the West, he emphasized.

He is convinced that the best decision has been made for the entire Croatian society as there was understanding for all segments of society – education, healthcare, agriculture.

– We have invested a lot in this project and have conducted it transparently all the time. All bidders had the same conditions, he emphasized.

A matter of national pride

He reiterated that the goal is that by 2020, when Croatia first presides over the EU and celebrates 25 years since the military-police operation Storm, the first modern fourth-generation aircraft will be in the hands of Croatian pilots. The government instructs the Ministry of Defense to carry out all necessary actions related to the conclusion of the contract between the Republic of Croatia and Israel for the procurement of multi-role fighter aircraft.

– With fighter jets, Croatia has the capability to prevent war, avert conflict and destruction, protect borders, people, and maintain peace. This is a matter of national pride and our responsibility to future generations, he stated.

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This is a decision to retain the capability of independent monitoring and protection of the airspace of the Republic of Croatia and the tradition of fighter aviation, which has been postponed for about 15 years.

He also added that this decision establishes a working group to prepare a contract for special economic cooperation between Croatia and Israel regarding the procurement of multi-role fighter aircraft and a commission to monitor business and economic cooperation regarding its implementation.

A historic day for Croatia

Finance Minister Zdravko Marić added that the financial aspect of all received offers has been analyzed and an optimal financing model has been found for the next 10 years.

– Care was taken of the overall picture of public finances and fiscal policy so that we have already proposed amounts of 350 million kuna in each of those two years in the state budget proposal for 2018, with projections for 2019, as a prerequisite for paying certain installments already at this moment, said Marić.

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Full support for the decision to procure aircraft was also given by the Minister of Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved, who also emphasized that this is a “historic day for Croatia.”