US Wishes Croatia's Israeli Jet Purchase 'Successful Resolution'

The US embassy in Zagreb told BIRN on Wednesday that, although the US Government does not generally comment on allies' arms procurements, Washington strongly supports Croatia's modernization of its defence system, including the purchase of F-16 jets from Israel.

On Tuesday, the State Department formally notified Congress of the transfer, which now moves into a 15-day notification period, under Arms Export Control Act requirements.

"Although certain details are pending, the [State] Department would like to see cooperation from all parties involved come to a successful resolution," the embassy told BIRN.

The Axios website last week claimed that Donald Trump's administration was blocking a sale worth 500 million US dollars between Israel and Croatia of 12 F-16 fighter jets, which were made in the US and upgraded by Israel.

"Trump administration officials were furious that Israel upgraded the old F-16s with new and sophisticated Israeli-made electronic systems in order persuade the Croatians to buy the jets from Israel and not from the US," it claimed.

Axios also claimed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised the issue with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Brussels on Monday, and that Pompeo told Netanyahu he was not against the deal but that US Secretary of Defense James Mattis was blocking it.

Croatian and US officials have dismissed the reports.

The Croatian Defence Ministry said it had finally opted to buy 12 F-16 jets from Israel in March. The first jets are expected to be delivered by the end of 2020 but the contract for their delivery has not been signed yet.

"Croatia insists that what was listed in Israel's bid regarding the F-16 C/D Block 30 Barak fighter jets be respected and the sale of any other...

Continue reading on: