ZAGREB, 20 May 2021 - President Zoran Milanović said on Thursday that the procedure for the purchase of fighter jets was very strict, but he would not reveal details of today's Defence Council meeting or the type of aircraft Croatia would go for.

"The process has been good so far. It hasn't been compromised, there have been no information leaks. Eventually, the cost will have to be presented to the Croatian public," Milanović told the press.

He said it was important that Croatia had the fighter jets by no later than 2024. "They have to be here by then," Milanović said, adding that Croatia should not be without its own resources even for a day. 

Milanović said that this was a major project and that he hoped the government would take a decision on it before Armed Forces Day, which is observed on 28 May.

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The helicopters and their pilots, as well as other staff of the Croatian Air Force have a lot to be thanked for when looking back on last year. 

It isn't only the tireless efforts of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) which need to be praised when it comes to dealing with emergency medical situations up and down the country, but the Croatian Air Force and the Croatian Army, as well as their equipment, as a whole.

As Morski writes on the 5th of January, 2019, during 2018, a total of 885 patients were transported by both transport and multipurpose helicopters belonging to the Croatian Air Force (HRZ), whose medical issues, usually those of an emergency nature, required emergency medical aviation. During the transit of these helicopters, 2,283 Croatian Air Force flights were carried out and completed, totalling 855 hours in the air.

Additionally, throughout 2018, 23 requests were received for the assistance of Croatian Air Force helicopters in search and rescue operations on the land, during which a total of 15 injured persons and 132 members of the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS) were safely transported. During these particular operations, a total of 107 Croatian Air Force flights were carried out and completed, which amounted to 43.25 hours in the air.

Namely, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia continue to provide excellent support in dire situations in which emergency air transport is required, and they remain in a state of constant readiness (during the day and night) with two helicopters, one of which being the helicopter of the 93rd Air Base, and the the second belonging to the 91st Air Base, stationed at Rijeka Airport's Krk helipad.

In most cases, Croatian Ait Force flights sent out for emergency medical situations work alongside established helipads which fulfil the necessary 24-hour operating conditions KBC Firule, Hvar, Stari Grad, Sućuraj, Selca, Korčula, Blato, Šolta, Dubrovnik-Medarevo, Rab, Lastovo-Ubli, Vis, Lošinj, Cres i helidrom Delta – Rijeka), the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Croatia said.

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ZAGREB, August 3, 2018 - Ahead of the planned participation of Israel's F-16 Barak fighter jets in the celebrations marking the 23rd anniversary of Operation Storm, Croatian Air Force squadron commander Christian Jagodić and the commander of Israel's Ramat David Airbase conducted a joint flight in one of Croatia's MiG-21 fighter jets at the Pleso airbase on Friday.

ZAGREB, July 13, 2018 - Defence Minister Damir Krstičević on Friday announced the procurement of several US helicopters for the Croatian Armed Forces, after the US donated to Croatia a squadron of Kiowa Warrior helicopters last year.

After old Israeli fighter jets, another expensive acquisition for the Ministry of Defence.

ZAGREB, April 6, 2018 - Croatian Defence Minister Damir Krstičević met in Tirana on Friday with his Albanian counterpart Olta Xhacka and said that, with the procurement of fighter jets, Croatia would strengthen the capacity of its armed forces and increase its contribution to the security of Southeast Europe, as well as that it was willing to offer the service of air policing to Albania, the Croatian Defence Ministry said in a press release.

ZAGREB, March 30, 2018 - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has welcomed the Croatian government's decision to buy 12 used and upgraded Israeli F-16 fighter aircraft in a package worth 500 million dollars, and described this project as a step that will strengthen the ties between Israel and Croatia.

ZAGREB, March 29, 2018 - Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, commenting on Croatia's decision to buy Israeli F-16 fighter jets, said on Thursday that Croatia is a NATO member and that everyone has the right to take care of their own security.

ZAGREB, March 29, 2018 - Israel is pleased with the Croatian government's decision to buy Israeli F-16 fighter jets, the Israeli Embassy said on Thursday, expressing confidence that the strategic cooperation would strengthen ties between the two countries in various economic sectors.

ZAGREB, March 29, 2018 - The Croatian government on Thursday unanimously adopted a decision on the procurement of 12 F-16 C/D Barak fighter jets that will cost Croatia 2.9 billion kuna over a ten year period, and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said this was one of the biggest decision made in the defence sector after the 1990s Homeland War.