ZAGREB, March 7, 2019 – Croatian Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said in Zadar on Thursday that the government was determined to maintain the combat readiness of the air force and that Croatia was in contact with all interested parties concerning its plan to purchase fighter jets. In this context, Krstičević said that Croatia and the United States are key partners in defence and security. We have good relations. We talk with all interested parties and after we analyse the whole situation, we will make the next step.
Krstičević said this when asked by the press to comment on U.S. Ambassador Robert Kohorst’s statement about the United States being supportive of whatever Croatia decides regarding F-16 combat aircraft.
Asked if the United States was willing to negotiate directly with Croatia about the purchase of F-16 fighter jets, Kohorst said that the US would fully support Croatia’s decision on the matter.
“We are fully supportive of whatever Croatia decides with F-16s, we don’t have a position as to what that decision should be, we are waiting for the government to make their position clear, and we are happy to be supportive. We are a good military ally of Croatia, Croatia is with us and we want to be fully supportive of what they do,” said Kohorst in Zagreb earlier in the day.
More news on the fighter jet acquisition can be found in the Politics section.
