According to Defensenews, the Croatian government is likely to buy 12 second-hand Rafale F3-R fighter jets
Accordingly, the first six aircraft will be delivered to Croatia in 2024, the next six will be delivered in 2025
The special thing is that all these fighters have served in the French Air Force for about 10 years
These Rafales are expected to replace the Soviet-era MiG-21 fleet serving in the Croatian Air Force
Before officially signing the contract to buy Rafale
Croatia received 4 offers from Saab (JAS-39 Gripen), Israel (F-16 Block 30), Lockheed-Martin (F-35) and France (2hand Rafale F3-R)
In the end, Rafale was the chosen one.
But the surprising thing is the terrible price of this used plane
with more than $1.1 billion for 12 aircraft
Thus, each Rafale costs nearly 100 million USD, excluding weapons
According to calculations by Defense News, this price is even more expensive than the US F-35 stealth fighter
Accordingly, the unit price announced by the US in 2020, each F-35 costs about 80 million USD
Experts say that Croatia's arms procurement package shows the fact that the F-35 is being abandoned by its NATO allies
Even in early 2021, the British Ministry of Defense also announced a plan to reduce the purchase of F-35B stealth fighters
a plan that made the contractor Lockheed Martin and the US military unhappy
Instead of purchasing 138 F-35Bs as originally planned, only 48 will be purchased
It seems that Britain is prioritizing the domestic stealth fighter Tempest, despite the fact that this country is a close ally of the US in Europe
This decision is said by experts that Britain is following Germany and France in the F-35 program
Currently, Lockheed Martin is considering returning Turkey's $800 million deposit
because the US unilaterally canceled the contract of 100 F-35s with a total value of $12 billion with Ankara
The story seems to be getting more serious when close US allies in NATO seem indifferent to this stealth fighter
The Italian Ministry of Defense also announced that it is considering the possibility of reducing the number of orders for US F-35 fighters
Although such a decision will entail some economic damage for Italy
it will relieve Italy of a significant financial burden in order to be able to strengthen the country's fragile economy
As for the French Air Force, to replace the aircraft sold, France’s military will order 12 new Rafale fighters in 2023, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027
“I am proud that the Rafale aircraft are coming to Croatia soon, one of the best multi-purpose fighter planes of today"
"By purchasing these aircraft, Croatia will gain a powerful strategic deterrent for the next 30 to 40 years"
Mario Banožić, the Defence Minister of Croatia said
“It is an investment in our future and the security of our country"
"but also a tool that will strengthen Croatia’s position as an ally within NATO and a partner within the European Union"