Gov't annuls decision on procurement of fighter jets

The government on Monday unanimously put out of force a decision on the procurement of Israeli F-16 multipurpose fighter jets.

The cabinet meeting was preceded by a session of the Defence Council, where a report on the procurement of the aircraft was presented and the government was recommended to define a new model for the procurement of multipurpose fighter jets for the Armed Forces.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said today that a thorough analysis of all reasons that caused the suspension of the implementation of the deal with Israel would be conducted.

The notification provided by Israel that it could not obtain the approval from the USA for the Third Party Transfer was the main reason why Croatia decided to nullify its previous decision on the acquisition of the planes from Israel, according to Plenkovic's explanation.

The deal was halted due to disagreement between Israel and the USA following the US objection to the sale of modified F-16 fighter jets to Croatia. The Israeli-US dispute has to do with who owns the technology and intellectual property rights.

Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic underscored the political will to maintain the combat capabilities of the Air Force developed during the Homeland War.

At the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Plenkovic also extended condolences to the families of three HEP power company workers recently killed in a fire at the Dubrovnik Hydro-electric Power Plant.

He said an investigation into the accident was under way, and thanked all the services that put out the fire and searched for missing workers.

Text: Hina

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