The Croatian government has suspended a procurement tender for new multirole fighters, citing as its main reason the national emergency surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, exacerbated by the 22 March earthquake that hit the capital Zagreb, causing significant damage.
Deputy Defence Minister Damir Krstičević indicated that the funds allocated to the fighter programme will be redirected to priorities related to national survival.
He added that all activities associated with the fighter procurement programme are to be frozen and the decision how to proceed will be taken after the end of the coronavirus pandemic, when new financial realities will be clearer.