The Croatian government is to choose between four offers in its latest attempt to run a government-to-government tender for 12 fighter aircraft.
Offers came from France, Israel, Sweden and the US. The latter two are proposing new-build solutions – respectively, the F-16 Block 70 and Gripen C/D. In contrast, France (with Rafale) and Israel (with the F-16C/D Barak 2020) are touting second-hand aircraft.
In January, Croatia issued an RfP to seven countries considered as possible suppliers of new and second-hand multirole fighters, with an original deadline of 7 May. In April, however, the programme was temporarily suspended by
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
The design and development contract is set to run until the end of June and will now enable the partnership to drive the programme forward as it targets its 2027 demonstrator date.
The report comes as heads of industry bodies warn that the delayed defence spending plan has left smaller and medium sized businesses in stasis, unable to plan or seek out further investment.
Norway first scoped the requirement in 2022, and included it in a defence strategy document in 2023. The announcement of a new framework agreement appears to have breathed fresh life into the effort.
The effective use of the Shahed-136 in the Iran war has highlighted the need for countries to acquire a domestically produced, low-cost, long-range loitering munition, with the US, Turkey and European nations all at various stages of developing a similar capability.
The disagreement between French-German industry continues as both governments work to keep the programme alive and on track to develop and deliver a sixth-generation fighter jet.
The USAF is seeking on-the-move systems, subsystems or technologies capable of defending airbases and fixed and semi-fixed sites against small drone attacks.
Connect with us on socials
