Israel, Sweden Compete to Replace Croatia's Outdated MiG-21s

Israeli secondhand F-16 Barak and Swedish new JAS 39 Gripen were selected for the final round in the 12-aircraft tender issued by the Croatian Defense Ministry

Croatia's Defense Ministry will choose between Israeli and Swedish fighter jets to replace its fleet of MiG-21s, Croatian daily newspaper Jutarnji List reported on Monday. Croatia plans to purchase 12 aircraft in total.

Israeli secondhand F-16 Barak and Swedish new JAS 39 Gripen were selected for the final round after the American offer of F-16 Bloc 70/72 was too expansive, and the Greek F-16 Block 30 was not good enough, the report adds. The Swedish offer is more expansive since the JAS 39s are new while the Israeli F-16s are 30 years old.

According to Air Recognition, Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krsticevic is scheduled to select the best offer by the end of the month, and then Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic will make a final decision and sign a deal by the end of 2017.