"These jets will arrive in Croatia entirely adjusted to NATO standards, costs will include everything necessary for the jets to be available to the Armed Forces and the Air Force for the next 25 years at least. I am confident that given the technological development and performance of these 4th generation F-16 aircraft, the planes will ensure the capability of the Croatian Armed Forces until the middle of the century," the prime minister said at the start of the government session, commenting on his cabinet's decision to procure 12 F-16 C/D Barak fighter jets that will cost Croatia HRK 2.9 billion over a ten year period.
Commenting on the financial aspect of the purchase, the prime minister said the procurement costs over the next ten years would be no more than HRK 50 million a year, and probably even less than that. Plenkovic said the decision on the procurement was adopted in cooperation with the Finance Ministry and other government departments and represented the political will and desire to advance the strategic partnership with the United States and Israel.
Text and photo: Hina