Croatian Armed Forces

Croatia wants to buy US M270 MLRS missile ATACMS

According to the publication in the Croatian newspaper "Jutarnji list", the Ministry of Defense plans to acquire a significant stake of US arms. This purchase can dramatically change the military balance in the region. For example, the Pentagon has left a request for the purchase of 16 MLRS M270 availability. If the delivery is approved by Congress, the Croats will receive free launchers, but will have to purchase missiles MGM-140 ATAMCS for them. In addition, the Croatian Ministry of Defence has shown interest in buying short-range missiles with a range of 300 km.

According to some estimates, pre-sale preparation MLRS M270 can cost $ 4 million, and the cost of one missile MGM-140 for it, amounts to about two million dollars. In addition to rockets Croatia also expects to purchase a significant number of 227-mm rockets HE-FRAG, which are standard for this complex. There are several reasons why the Croats decided to purchase such weapons. So, with their help, the Croatian army is planning to apply strategic hit deep in enemy territory, and their forces to acquire the appropriate systems. In addition, they will replace the existing systems VBR.
MLRS M270 is the standard system for the NATO countries, therefore, it corresponds to the rate for the replacement of the remaining systems in the Croatian Army of Soviet and Yugoslav production. Under this plan, the system should come into service in 2017. In this period, the army will have to adopt the ACS PzH-2000, OH-58D Kiowa, UAVs, which are very likely to be purchased "on equal footing" with the Ministry of Agriculture. Purchase of RSKHO M270 will be another illustration of the excellent relations between the US and Croatia.

The US has already approved set to Croatia some 400 different vehicles, 16 helicopters, OH-58D, as well as paid 9 million dollars. For participation in the Afghan campaign. According to our blog Serbian military analyst Svetozar Jokanovic, Serbia has ordered 18 ACS Nora B-52 in response to the purchase of Croatia SAU PzH2000. In this regard, interest is what the Serbian response to the purchase of a neighbor RSKHO M270.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1521157.html

Red Cross with help of Croatian army and other organisations placed camp for refugees coming via Serbia by train (via Serbian city of Šid), this center is located in Slavonski Brod.







































Source: https://twitter.com/VladaRH - official twitter page of Croatian gov.

George1 wrote:In Croatia, there is no money for the purchase of new fighter jets

"The Croatian government has unveiled plans to acquire new fighter jets with the aim of replacing its Soviet-designed Mikoyan MiG-21s. The planned purchase was announced following a meeting between Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic. The two leading contenders for the designed deal are Lockheed Martin's F-16 and Saab's JAS-39 Gripen, with Zagreb planning to buy aircraft that are either new or currently used by other NATO member states, local newspaper Jutarnji first reported. Alternatives considered included France's Mirage, Israeli Kfir and a version of South Korea's T-50.

The Croatian government is reportedly aiming to replace its Soviet-designed fighter jets with Western-made aircraft as part of the country's ongoing efforts to modernize its Air Force's fleet and eliminate weapons and military equipment used by Russia and its allies."

There are more and more rumons that Croatia will be gifted used NATO F16s in exchange they will pay for modernisation, spare parts and missiles.

Militarov wrote:

George1 wrote:In Croatia, there is no money for the purchase of new fighter jets

"The Croatian government has unveiled plans to acquire new fighter jets with the aim of replacing its Soviet-designed Mikoyan MiG-21s. The planned purchase was announced following a meeting between Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic. The two leading contenders for the designed deal are Lockheed Martin's F-16 and Saab's JAS-39 Gripen, with Zagreb planning to buy aircraft that are either new or currently used by other NATO member states, local newspaper Jutarnji first reported. Alternatives considered included France's Mirage, Israeli Kfir and a version of South Korea's T-50.

The Croatian government is reportedly aiming to replace its Soviet-designed fighter jets with Western-made aircraft as part of the country's ongoing efforts to modernize its Air Force's fleet and eliminate weapons and military equipment used by Russia and its allies."

There are more and more rumons that Croatia will be gifted used NATO F16s in exchange they will pay for modernisation, spare parts and missiles.

Yup rumored F16D's from the Netherlands. Portugal is also looking to shed its surplus F16C's that Romania failed to get. Unless Bulgaria gets them.

Croatia is on course to receive 16 former US OH-58D Kiowa recce and light attack helicopters, with first deliveries due later this year. Inspection of the helicopters took place last month in Fort Bragg (North Carolina) and Redstone Arsenal (Alabama). The US will donate the helos to Croatia, with a formal agreement to be signed soon.

Airheadsfly.com reported on the Croation Kiowas last year already. A Croatian team inspected the choppers and their documentation, plus examined and selected training simulators to be used for pilot training. Maintenance details and other conditions for operational use by the Croatian Armed Forces were also discussed with US experts, as well as transportation of the Kiowas to Croatia.
US Army

As many as 14 of 16 selected helicopters are still in operational use with the US Army and will be taken over in well-maintained condition. The helicopters were manufactured in the period 2012-2015 and each have between 100 and 600 flying hours.

The Kiowas are capable of carrying machine guns, Hellfire missiles, air-to-air Stinger (ATAS) missile and 2.75″ Folding Fin Aerial Rocket (FFAR). Also, the helicopters are fitted with passive protection for the crew and the vital parts of the helicopter, plus provisions for active counter-measures against threats.

http://airheadsfly.com/2016/01/19/croatia-to-receive-kiowa-helos-in-2016/

Croatian Air Force is in disarray, a MIG 21 aircrafts that were purchased in Ukraine have false documentation. The deal worth 130 million croatian kunas. Out of 12 MiGs that Ukraine refubrished for Croatia at this moment only 3 are flying, as it appears that Ukraine falsified documentation regarding overhaul and modernisation performed. 7 MiGs were ferubrished in Ukraine and 5 were assembled from used parts, however appears that parts used by Ukrainians were 4 or 5 years older than documentation claims. Also some parts installed in refubrished ones seem to appear as already used. Its belived that this was the case of major bribery. Serial numbers on original 7 Croatian borts were also tempered with, as they were removed and again applied (they replaced borts?). Croatian Military Police is atm starting investigation.



Source: http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/planeta.300.html:596763-SKANDAL-U-HRVATSKOJ-Kupljeni-lazni-MIG-ovi-za-130-miliona-kuna

Militarov wrote:Croatian Air Force is in disarray, a MIG 21 aircrafts that were purchased in Ukraine have false documentation. The deal worth 130 million croatian kunas. Out of 12 MiGs that Ukraine refubrished for Croatia at this moment only 3 are flying, as it appears that Ukraine falsified documentation regarding overhaul and modernisation performed. 7 MiGs were ferubrished in Ukraine and 5 were assembled from used parts, however appears that parts used by Ukrainians were 4 or 5 years older than documentation claims. Also some parts installed in refubrished ones seem to appear as already used. Its belived that this was the case of major bribery. Serial numbers on original 7 Croatian borts were also tempered with, as they were removed and again applied (they replaced borts?). Croatian Military Police is atm starting investigation.



Source: http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/planeta.300.html:596763-SKANDAL-U-HRVATSKOJ-Kupljeni-lazni-MIG-ovi-za-130-miliona-kuna

Interesting. So Croatia doesn't have money to buy new jets and they pay a lot of money to Ukrainians that their jets are now grounded. The only option they have is to buy original parts in Russia from MiG to replace those parts from Ukraine, but I doubt US will allow them to buy anything from Russia.

medo wrote:

Militarov wrote:Croatian Air Force is in disarray, a MIG 21 aircrafts that were purchased in Ukraine have false documentation. The deal worth 130 million croatian kunas. Out of 12 MiGs that Ukraine refubrished for Croatia at this moment only 3 are flying, as it appears that Ukraine falsified documentation regarding overhaul and modernisation performed. 7 MiGs were ferubrished in Ukraine and 5 were assembled from used parts, however appears that parts used by Ukrainians were 4 or 5 years older than documentation claims. Also some parts installed in refubrished ones seem to appear as already used. Its belived that this was the case of major bribery. Serial numbers on original 7 Croatian borts were also tempered with, as they were removed and again applied (they replaced borts?). Croatian Military Police is atm starting investigation.



Source: http://www.novosti.rs/vesti/planeta.300.html:596763-SKANDAL-U-HRVATSKOJ-Kupljeni-lazni-MIG-ovi-za-130-miliona-kuna

Interesting. So Croatia doesn't have money to buy new jets and they pay a lot of money to Ukrainians that their jets are now grounded. The only option they have is to buy original parts in Russia from MiG to replace those parts from Ukraine, but I doubt US will allow them to buy anything from Russia.

Thing is that majority of parts is out of production for at least 20 years. Real maintenance support for MiG21 kinda ceased in mid 90s due to crumbling Russian economy post USSR. Some parts can be built on order, some however can be refubrished but there are also plenty that can only be found used or from someones spare parts stock (India, China, Romania most notably). Ukraine supplied Croatia with used MiG21s in 90s during war also, and there are rumors that Ukraine now actually just sold to Croatia 5 ex Yemeni MiG21s with minor repairs and charged them like aircraft had major modernisation and overhauls.

There are stories around that Croatia will anways soon get used F16MLUs for free or F4s from Germany.

Looks like they sold Croatia Migs that were still owned by Yemen. One suspects that you would have to go a long way to find genius for graft like the Ukrainians seem to excel in.

After purchasing a fleet of fighter jets from Ukraine, Croatian military police have launched a corruption probe into the acquisition. In July 2013, the Croatian Defense Ministry signed a deal with Ukrspecexport, an arms company owned by the Ukrainian government. Included in the arrangement was the stipulation that the defense company would provide Croatia with 12 Mikoyan MiG-21 fighter jets.

These were delivered in July 2015, but five of the aircraft were quickly removed from service due to technical problems.

Given that almost half of the order was too defective to function, the Croatian military police launched a corruption probe into the purchase, and uncovered some damning details. The investigation found that the jets were fitted with outdated parts from Bulgaria, Algeria, and the former Soviet Union. These parts do not meet the technical requirements laid out in the contract signed by Ukrspecexport.

Officials also found that five of the fighters were used, and, in fact, are currently property of the Yemen Air Force.

As investigations continue, the Croatian government is shopping for additional aircraft to replace its aging fleet. At the top of the list are Lockheed Martin’s F-16 and Saab’s JAS-39. The government is also considering South Korea’s T-50, Israel’s Kfir, and the French Mirage.

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/europe/20160330/1037175180/ukraine-croatia-jet-corruption.html#ixzz44NpwwHbC

"An Croatian investigation into the refurbishment of its MiG-21 fleet by Ukraine has uncovered more irregularities. Paperwork from Ukraine indicated that two engines that it supplied to Croatia were of unknown origins. So far, it has been determined that five of the MiG-21s that Croatia bought as part of the refurbishing package had been put together using parts from airplanes that were scrapped by other air forces.

The hulls were from Bulgaria, which retired the jets back in 1998, and the wings were from Algerian MiGs."

Source: http://alert5.com/2016/06/02/croatian-mig-21s-refurbished-by-ukraine-have-engines-with-questionable-sources/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

"Croatia and Tunisia are the first nations to receive OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed scout helicopters retired by the U.S. Army. Tunisia, announced most recently as a recipient, will use the helicopters to battle Islamic extremists, according to the Department of Defense.

The Army is divesting approximately 340 single-engine Bell OH-58Ds over three years as a consequence of its 2013 Aviation Restructure Initiative, which shifted responsibility for the armed reconnaissance mission to AH-64D/E Apache attack helicopters in combination with unmanned aircraft. The Kiowas are being made available through the Excess Defense Articles and foreign military sales (FMS) programs, and multiple nations have expressed interest in the aircraft, according to the service.

Croatia became the first nation to acquire excess Kiowas when its defense ministry signed a letter of offer and acceptance for 16 helicopters in mid-February. “This first OH-58D FMS case represents a significant amount of hard work and research on the part of many organizations, including the Non-Standard Rotary Wing Project Office, the Armed Scout Helicopter Project Office and the AMCOM [Aviation and Missile Command] Security Assistance Management Directorate,” the Army said.

“While this first case is in a basic U.S. government configuration aircraft, many countries are expressing interest in fielding upgraded versions of the aircraft,” the service added.

In early May, the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the possible FMS to Tunisia of Kiowa Warrior equipment, training and support, including 10 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles and 82 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System rounds, in a transaction valued at $100 million. Under a separate notification, Tunisia was approved to receive 24 OH-58Ds through the Excess Defense Articles program. That use case “is approved and set for execution,” the Army said in response to an AIN inquiry.

The helicopters “will improve Tunisia’s capability to conduct border security and combat operations against terrorists, including Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in Libya, and Ansar al-Sharia, Tunisia,” the DSCA notice stated.

The OH-58Ds are being sent to both Croatia and Tunisia from the Army’s 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bragg, N.C. In April, the 1-17th conducted a final flyover of Fort Bragg and Fayetteville, N.C., with all 32 of its Kiowa Warriors."

Source: http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-06-06/croatia-tunisia-first-receive-us-kiowa-warriors

Croatia has started a tender for the purchase of new fighters

On July 20, 2017, the Croatian Ministry of Defense sent out a Request for Proposals (RfP) for the purchase of 12 new fighters for the Croatian Air Force, according to Igor Tabak's "Croatia issues RfP for multirole fighter aircraft". Requests on an interstate basis were sent to the embassies of five states: the USA, Israel, Greece (in all three cases the Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters are expected to be offered), Sweden (to the Saab JAS-39 Gripen fighter) and South Korea (to the KAI FA-50).

Offers on request must be submitted within 75 days, which in theory will give an opportunity to make a preliminary choice by the end of the year.

The Croatian Air Force needs replacing the park of its 12 archaic MiG-21bis / UM fighters, all the more so since the scandalous repairs of these aircraft in Ukraine have not allowed a substantial increase in the combat readiness of their fleet. As of March 2017, only three MiG-21bis and one MiK-21UM "spark" were in the air condition in the Croatian Air Force.

The issue of acquiring new fighters in place of the MiG-21 has been officially discussed in Croatia since 2006. In 2008, the Croatian Ministry of Defense had already sent out a Request for Information regarding possible proposals for fighters, but then the process did not develop because of the refusal of the Croatian government to allocate funds for this purchase. In June 2015, a new request for information was sent out, and the proposals received on it served as the basis for the now sent out RfP.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2747386.html

Current government will take F-16 most likely. They are in in defending US interest.

Croatia decided to repair ten Mi-171Sh helicopters in Russia

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/2783495.html

Croatia has decided to purchase 12 F-16 fighters from Israel

At the press conference in Zagreb on March 28, 2018 Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krstichevic, the Croatian government decided to purchase 12 fighters Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 30 Fighting Falcon (Barak) for the Air Force from Israel Air Force - ten single-seat F-16C and two two-seater F-16D.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3139267.html

George1 wrote:Croatia has decided to purchase 12 F-16 fighters from Israel

  At the press conference in Zagreb on March 28, 2018 Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krstichevic, the Croatian government decided to purchase 12 fighters Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 30 Fighting Falcon (Barak) for the Air Force from Israel Air Force  - ten single-seat F-16C and two two-seater F-16D.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3139267.html

Turning out to be not that simple. Israel may have thought that they owned those F-16s but oh no the US still owns their freehold. The best bit is the US mission computer, you can imagine why that is needed    

This is from Aldin who was on here for a short while.

Aldin
????????
‏ @aldin_ww
3h3 hours ago

Interesting document regardin the #Croatia #Israel F-16 sales deal for US State Department Regional Security and Arms Transfer Bureau.
US allows temporary transfer and visual inspection as part of sales discussion.

Lot of US components must be installed before purchase including US mission computer, there will be no support for Israeli modifications and a separate third party transfer must be submited in case of purchase and training.

Croatia will receive UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters

On October 30, 2019, the US Department of Defense Agency for Defense Cooperation (DSCA) sent a notice to the U.S. Congress of the planned upcoming sale of Croatia through the American program of intergovernmental foreign military sales (FMS) of two multi-purpose helicopters Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) UH-60M Black Hawk new construction. This shipment is approved by the US Department of State. The total cost of the proposed delivery will be $ 115 million.

Earlier in 2018, the US government also decided to transfer two more UH-60M helicopters of new production to Croatia in 2020-2021 as a military aid, the value of the transferred property will be $ 53 million.

Croatia will thus become the next recipient of UH-60 Black Hawk U.S. helicopters in Eastern Europe - along with Slovakia, Albania, Latvia and Lithuania.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3824055.html

Croatia will receive American infantry fighting vehicles M2A2 ODS Bradley

It is reported that in total Croatia will receive 84 M2A2 ODS infantry fighting vehicles, of which 60 will go to equip one mechanized battalion of the Croatian army, and the remaining 24 will be used as a source of spare parts. Although the transfer will be made by the Americans free of charge, the value of the property transferred is estimated at $ 84 million. In addition, the United States will provide financial assistance in the amount of $ 25 million for the repair and partial modernization of 60 commissioned BM2 M2A2 ODS, which will be carried out by the Croatian company Đuro Đaković Specijalna vozila (Slavonsky Brod, former Yugoslav factory for the production of M-84 tanks) in partnership with the BAE Systems corporation. Croatia’s own expenses for receiving and commissioning 60 BMP M2A2 ODS, according to the statement of the Minister of Defense of Croatia Damir Krsticovic, will amount to only 2-3 million dollars.

Funds for the transfer of Croatia and the commissioning of the M2A2 ODS BMP will be allocated by the United States as part of the European Recapitalization Incentive Program (ERIP), aimed at replacing Soviet-style armaments and equipment with more modern American-made models in Eastern and Southern Europe. In fiscal 2019, more than $ 190 million was allocated to ERIP (including $ 25 million earmarked for Bradley BMP for Croatia) from the unspent US defense budget for fiscal year 2017.

Croatia will become the second foreign recipient of the Bradley IFV transferred from the presence of the U.S. Army - earlier in 2017, 32 M2A2 Bradley IFVs were transferred by the Americans to the Lebanese Army.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3870200.html

JohninMK wrote:

George1 wrote:Croatia has decided to purchase 12 F-16 fighters from Israel

  At the press conference in Zagreb on March 28, 2018 Croatian Defense Minister Damir Krstichevic, the Croatian government decided to purchase 12 fighters Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 30 Fighting Falcon (Barak) for the Air Force from Israel Air Force  - ten single-seat F-16C and two two-seater F-16D.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3139267.html

Turning out to be not that simple. Israel may have thought that they owned those F-16s but oh no the US still owns their freehold. The best bit is the US mission computer, you can imagine why that is needed    

This is from Aldin who was on here for a short while.

Aldin
????????
‏ @aldin_ww
3h3 hours ago

Interesting document regardin the #Croatia #Israel F-16 sales deal for US State Department Regional Security and Arms Transfer Bureau.
US allows temporary transfer and visual inspection as part of sales discussion.

Lot of US components must be installed before purchase including US mission computer, there will be no support for Israeli modifications and a separate third party transfer must be submited in case of purchase and training.

Are they still getting these as last I heard the deal was cancelled and Israel apologize to Croatia. I think in the end they will end up receiving old and outdated F-16 when they are forced to give up on the migs. They should have just went ahead with lancer upgrade on the migs or bison or mig-21-97 they had many options on the table Israeli/romanian, Indian,  Russian or even Chinese upgrades available, it would have been enough for there needs up-to 2030. And cost less and be less hassle with what mess they currently went through and loss ofoney with Ukraine. After 2030 retire the aircraft and by then drones will be advanced enough for them just to use drones for there needs maybe half a squadron of light fighters. Still surprised they havent raised further enquiries on the south korean T-50 I know SK pulled out at the start but having another enquiry wouldn't hurt.  Obviously another good Choice would have been mig-29M2 but that won't happen due to move away from Russia and cosy upto NATO

You are aware US would never allow Chinese or Russian upgrades on NATO nations hardware right? This is reason why they are being forced to give up the older jets in first place.

miketheterrible wrote:You are aware US would never allow Chinese or Russian upgrades on NATO nations hardware right?  This is reason why they are being forced to give up the older jets in first place.

i said that in my post. because they are no longer looking east and up the arse of NATO, Russian or chinese options are off the table. USA and NATO are only after shafting countries in NATO forcing to buy expensive systems that most countries will never use and it over kill for their needs. I expect they will get fobbed off with outdated F-16 or worse F-4, if they dont then Croatia will have no option to give up on fixed wing fighter aircraft. They should have just went with an israeli upgrade on the mig-21, t would be cheaper, and nothing USA could say as it would be outfitted to carry western weapons and avionics. This would at least get through to 2030.