PM Plenkovic visits Firefighting Air Force unit and praises firefighters

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic on Friday visited the Zemunik base of the Croatian Air Force to meet with members of the Croatian Firefighting Air Force unit who are engaged in putting out wildfires this summer and to thank Croatian pilots and the Air Force for their efforts

The PM said that Croatian pilots this year spent 36 days on planes which showed their dedication and patriotism.

Plenkovic was accompanied by Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic and Croatian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mirko Sundov.

The PM recalled that his government had increased the budget of the Defence Ministry.

Reporters wanted to know, following recent wildfires along the coast, if it was necessary to procure more firefighting planes and if this would affect the purchase of combat aircraft.

"These are two separate issues. Croatia has five Canadair planes and six Air Tractors. My understanding is that for now this meets Croatia's needs, given the intensity of situations in which our pilots need to act. As for Croatia's Air Force, I would like to reiterate that we have reached a political agreement that Croatia's Air Force needs a long term solution," the PM said adding that the solution should cover the next 25-30 years.

Text: Hina

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