Croats are arming themselves: the French submitting an offer to sell fighter jets

The Croatian government is not giving up on its intention to buy military planes, Vecernji List daily writes, and adds that the French will offer the Croatian Ministry of Defense used Rafales, tested in Libya.

According to the report, the Ministry of Defense is counting down the days until September 5, by which time it will be receiving offers from foreign bidders and manufacturers in order to acquire planes for the combat squadron.

"Nobody in the government is even thinking of giving up the procurement of fighter planes," unnamed sources involved in the purchase claimed in a statement for Vecernji List and pointed out that contacts with bidders continued during the summer.

After the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis and the earthquake in Zagreb, at a government session in early April Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic announced that the process of procuring fighter planes would be postponed until further notice.

Vecernji points out that a new date has been set, the beginning of September, and that it was later found out that the United States and France requested a postponement due to the pandemic.

Most serious offer expected from the French

In the consideration were the new American F-16 Block 70, the new Swedish Gripen C/D, and used Greek, Israeli and Norwegian F-16s, French Rafales and Italian Eurofighters.

The Croatian Ministry of Defense said that a high-ranking military delegation from France visited Zagreb in July, and announced that the French will make a very serious offer to Croatia.

Vecernji List points out that France has not shown much interest in the Croatian tender until now and recalls a dramatic report about the production of Rafale fighter planes that appeared before the French parliament in July, as the manufacturer Dessault announced they were getting orders canceled and were now pinning their hopes in tenders in Finland and Switzerland in 2021.

The same report also mentioned Croatia, which was assessed as "promising" because a squadron of used Rafale planes would be sold to it.

Vecernji List notes that the French have not yet sold used Rafales to anyone, especially not those that have proven to be effective and have been tested in wartime conditions, especially in Libya, where, as is claimed, they were the only ones to attack unaccompanied and without the protection from figters.

Namely, the twin-engine Rafales proved to be capable of performing the tasks of bombers and interceptors at the same time.

After the opening, the bids would be considered for several months, as talks continue with the bidders.

It was previously announced that the selection process could take four to five months, but it has not yet been announced whether that part of the plan remains in place or whether, due to new circumstances and financial problems caused by coronavirus, more time will be given to the negotiation process.

Upon completion of the work, a government committee would give a recommendation to the government and the president and then a final decision on the choice of the plane should be made, adds Vecernji List.

"Serbia arming itself is not cause for concern"

Mario Banozic, the new Croatian defense minister, recently announced the modernization of the Croatian army and the purchase of fighter planes.

"Croatia needs a combat air force. However, we are aware of the economic situation and we must take care of finances and priorities. Equipping with four Black Hawk helicopters is planned for 2022, so in the coming period we will prepare the infrastructure and train pilots and technicians. Also, we continue to equip with patrol boats for the needs of the Coast Guard, ie the Croatian Navy. As far as the Croatian Army is concerned, it is certainly a priority to complete the project of equipping it with Patria armored combat vehicles. Also, we have before us the project of equipping with Bradley US combat vehicles," said Banozic.

He pointed out that Croatia should not be worried about "the arming of Serbia, because Croatia is a NATO country."

"I think that there is no reason for concern because the security of Croatian citizens is guaranteed. We are a member of NATO and that membership still guarantees security."

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)