Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assessed that the agreement with Croatia for the sale of 12 used and upgraded F-16 fighter jets worth 2.9 billion kuna (500 million US dollars) demonstrates the strength of the Israeli military industry and the strengthening of existing relations between Israel and Croatia in multiple areas, Israeli media reported on Friday.
The Croatian government unanimously decided at a meeting on Thursday to purchase 12 F-16 C/D Barak aircraft, which will cost Croatia 2.9 billion kuna over the next ten years.
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The offer also includes the presence of supplier instructors in Croatia to assist in maintenance and training of personnel, also based on the principle of “train the trainer” and the transport of parts and equipment according to a defined schedule. The proposed concept for support and sustainability of the F-16 aircraft includes, in addition to contractual logistical support in Croatia, engineering support in Israel.
“The Israeli military industry has once again proven to be the best in the world. This agreement will strengthen the already existing relations between Israel and Croatia in the fields of security, defense, and economy,” said Netanyahu, whose words were reported by the daily Haaretz.
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According to him, this agreement will also “strengthen the Israeli air forces and Israeli security in general.”
The online portal “Israel Defence” reported the assessment of the Israeli Ministry of Defense, which called the signing of the agreement “an important milestone in strengthening bilateral relations (…) and strategic cooperation between the two countries.”
Media also reported the words of Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krstičević, who called the signing of the agreement “a historic day for the Croatian Air Force and an investment in the country’s security.”
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They also cite Prime Minister Andrej Plenković’s words that the Defense Council made a “responsible decision that will meet the needs of the Croatian Air Force for the next 30 years.”
“Jerusalem Online” reminds that Plenković and Netanyahu first discussed this agreement on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos in January.
Media also emphasize that Croatia prioritized Israel over “runner-up” Sweden, which offered a squadron of Gripens, and that Croatia, a NATO member, is in a “mini arms race with its Russian ally Serbia, which recently acquired six used Russian MiG-29 fighter jets.”
