Rafale aircraft to arrive in Croatia in 2024

The 12 used French multi-purpose fighter jets Rafale F3R bought by Croatia will arrive in Croatia successively in 2024, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said after a government session on Friday at which the government reported about having accepted the French offer worth €999 million.

"All bidders had the same treatment, all four offers were considered and the chosen offer is the best in terms of price. As regards the quality of aircraft, this is the best solution for Croatia in the long run," the PM said at a news conference, explaining the government's decision to accept the French bid.

Croatia will pay for the aircraft in instalments, from early 2022 to 2025, so that will not jeopardise its accession to the euro area, said Plenković, repeating that the price included everything related to aircraft, simulators and pilot training.

He stressed that all the countries that participated in the process of procuring fighter jets were Croatia's partners and friends - the United States, Sweden, Israel and France.

Offers were sent by the United States (for the new F-16 C/D Block 70), Sweden (for the new Gripen C/D), France (for the used Rafale F3-R) and Israel (for the used F-16 C/D Block 30).

"France is a member of the EU, it is its sole nuclear power after the UK's exit, it is a member of NATO and the only EU country that is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. It is a country with which we signed an agreement on strategic partnership in 2010 and I am confident that this decision will help enhance our partnership and bilateral relations," said Plenković. 

Text: Hina

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