Israel Scraps F-16 Deal With Croatia Amid US Objections - Croatian Defense Minister

BELGRADE (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 11th January, 2019) Israel has officially notified Croatia that it had to cancel the delivery of 12 upgraded US-made F-16 fighter jets to the European country over lack of Washington's approval, Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krsticevic said.

"Unfortunately, no permission to supply Israeli F-16 'Barak' jets to the Republic of Croatia has been received," Krsticevic said at a meeting with Director General of the Israeli Defense Ministry on Thursday.

Croatia announced a tender for jets' supplies in 2017. The United States, along with Greece, Sweden, and Israel, competed for the tender, but the latter ultimately won the bid.

Israel upgraded the used fighter jets in order to win the contract. The deliveries could have cost Croatia some $500 million.

Croatia was due to receive the used F-16 jets with a modernized avionics system developed by Israel. The United States, in turn, opposed this categorically, demanding the transfer of fighters without upgrades.

The used F-16 jets were to replace the Soviet MiG-21 aircraft, which are still in service with the Croatian Air Force.