Israel’s Potential F-16 Sale to Croatia Worth US$500 Million

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic discussed the potential sale of used Israeli Air Force F-16 fighter jets to Croatia in a deal potentially worth US$500 million.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Friday.

Israeli newspaper ‘Globes’ reported quoting sources in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) that the sale of the F-16 jets will be within the framework of a tender and that the used F-16s will be worth about $500 million. The number of aircraft for the price was not disclosed.

Croatia has invited a tender to replace its old Mig-21 jets and has received bids from Lockheed Martin for new F-16s, from Greece for used F-16s and from Saab for new Gripen aircraft. Some reports had said earlier that Israel and Saab have been shortlisted.

While the Israeli AF F-16s are decades old, they have been regularly upgraded and come equipped with the latest weapons. The Saab Gripen fighters on the other hand are brand news and the Swedish company is believed to have offered attractive financing options plus a state-of-the-art weapons and communications package.