5 countries invited to bid for Croatia fighter buy

[A.P. Richelieu]

http://www.combataircraft.com/en/News/2017/07/26/5-countries-invited-to-bid-for-Croatia-fighter-buy/

The Croatian Ministry of Defense has submitted requests for proposals to acquire “multi-purpose combat aircraft” to the U.S., Israel, South Korea, Sweden and Greece, the ministry said in a statement. Zagreb is considering to purchase new or second-hand F-16s from either the U.S., Israel or Greece, acquire South Korean FA-50s, or buy Sweden’s Saab JAS-39 Gripens. Contrary to earlier reports by the local media, France’s Mirage and Israeli Kfir were not included in the RFP.

 

[YeBeWarned]

I really wanted to Visit Croatia one day, Its beautiful country with Amazing Beaches and Island
my bet is for Gripen

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

Retired Israeli F-16As are basically worn out.
Would Greece sell of their F-16s?
They need money, but with Turkey ordering 100 x F-35, they need more, not less aircrafts.

US F-16s, FA-50 will be the competition to Gripen.

 

[maximuswarrior]

They are going for the F-16s. No doubt about it. The Gripen doesn't stand a chance.

 

[Glass]

FA-50 the croatians are rather humble

 

[Penguin]

Background:

Although the MiG-21 was perceived as an outdated fighter by the Croatian Air Force even in the late 1990s, budget constraints have been continuously deferring any final decision on the acquisition of a new fighter type. As Croatia was no longer facing any military threat, serious talks were started with Israeli firms to extensively upgrade the fleet of 24 MiG-21bis/UM fighters to a "Lancer 3" standard instead of buying a completely new combat aircraft.

Although the initial information suggested that such a decision was practically final, no agreement was reached. By late 2002 all 24 MiG-21's were reaching the end of their service lives and it was decided that the fleet be overhauled and lightly upgraded in Romania. A first squadron of 12 aircraft was therefore sent for 10-year life prolongment repair to Aerostar after which the second squadron was to follow. But after the first squadron arrived to Croatia, no further moves were made in order to revamp the second squadron.

As the fleet of 12 overhauled MiG-21s was originally planned to remain active only until late 2011, Croatia was eyeing a replacement aircraft already by late 2008. It was projected that a new type be selected by late 2009 and that the first aircraft start entering service by 2011. Such plans were put into question by the global economic crisis which severely affected the Croatian economy and in late 2010 it was officially unveiled that no new aircraft were envisaged to enter service.

The Defence Ministry finally announced in June 2013 that the Ukrainian firm Ukrspetsexport will provide Croatia with 8 single-seat and 4 twin-seat upgraded MiG-21 aircraft. Due to their condition only 7 of these will be refurbished Croatian air frames and the remaining 5 will be "new" aircraft. These are to remain in service by 2020 and the decision on the replacement fighter type is to be made by the end of 2016.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croatian_Air_Force_and_Air_Defence#MiG-21_replacement_acquisition

So, they are looking to replace 12 Mig 21 (8 single seat and 4 twoseaters) by 2020.
Looks like they already are a year behind (again) in selecting a replacement.

If Greece has F-16 for sale, these will be C/Ds. Greece operates Block 30/50/52+/52M. All were slated for upgrading (but who knows). Israel also has C/Ds and also Is (so will likely offer the former). Gripen only stands a chance if it is a lease deal.

 

[Penguin]

Modern day F-5E (not a bad option)

Neighbours:
Italy > 75 Typhoon (32 more on order), 70 Tornado IDS, 45 AMX, 1 F-35A (71 on order)
Serbia > 14 Mig-29 (to be modernized to MiG-29SM standard), 20 Mig -21, 17 Soko J-22
Hungary > 13 Jas-39 Gripen
Bosnia and Herzegovina > no air force to speak of.
Slovenia > > no air force to speak of.
Montenegro > air force disbanded when country voted to secede from the FRY in 2006. The bulk inherited by Serbia

Clearly, Croatia (NATO, EU) would not seek to go up to Italian or Hungarian air forces (both NATO and EU). Bosnia and Herzegovina (canditate NATO, candiate EU), Slovenia (NATO, EU) and Montenegro (NATO) have no air force to speak of. Which leaves Serbia (candidate EU).

Gripen would place Croatia on a par with Hungary.
Gripen (Amraam, Meteor) and F-16C/D (Amraam) are both good enough against Serb Mig29SM (midium-range missiles R-27ER1, R-27ET1 with SAR and IR homing heads, RVV-AE missiles with AR homing heads) and Mig 21.
FA-50 may be option but top speed mach 1.5 is no match for the above (so, if acquired, then addition of modern BVR is a must e.g. Amraam or Derby or ...?).

 

[ebrahym]

http://www.combataircraft.com/en/News/2017/07/26/5-countries-invited-to-bid-for-Croatia-fighter-buy/

The Croatian Ministry of Defense has submitted requests for proposals to acquire “multi-purpose combat aircraft” to the U.S., Israel, South Korea, Sweden and Greece, the ministry said in a statement. Zagreb is considering to purchase new or second-hand F-16s from either the U.S., Israel or Greece, acquire South Korean FA-50s, or buy Sweden’s Saab JAS-39 Gripens. Contrary to earlier reports by the local media, France’s Mirage and Israeli Kfir were not included in the RFP.

JF-17....????

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

JF-17....????

Not a Chance.
You could try to sell them Your F-16s...

 

[Ultima Thule]

Not a Chance.
You could try to sell them Your F-16s...

Why? can you give any reasons?

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

Why? can you give any reasons?

Croatia is a NATO member.
Is JF-17 compatible with NATO standards?
Don't think so.

 

[ebrahym]

Not a Chance.
You could try to sell them Your F-16s...

well the only reason west wont buy JF-17 is because of its chinese link
otherwise it fills the place and as quoted by PAF
roughly matches F-16 performance at half the price

 

[CriticalThought]

Croatia is a NATO member.
Is JF-17 compatible with NATO standards?
Don't think so.

We can make it NATO compatible if it isn't already. Cue Turkey, cue our integration work between Chinese and Swedish AWACS.

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

well the only reason west wont buy JF-17 is because of its chinese link otherwise it fills the place and as quoted by PAF
roughly matches F-16 performance at half the price

That is what You have to prove to Croatia, but I doubt You succeed.
In reality very few would trust Pakistan for such business.
If You have not noticed, JF-17 is rarely considered by anyone looking for fighters.

 

[CriticalThought]

That is what You have to prove to Croatia, but I doubt You succeed.
In reality very few would trust Pakistan for such business.
If You have not noticed, JF-17 is rarely considered by anyone looking for fighters.

Your words will come back to haunt you. Insha Allah. Thunder is slated to be the Mig-21 of 21st century. Watch out for Block 3.