Enhancing the  Israeli-Croatian strategic partnership

The Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević was on an official visit to the State of Israel from 1- 3 July 2018

The Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević was on an official visit to the State of Israel from 1- 3 July 2018, where he attended the Israeli defence industry conference in Tel Aviv organised by SIBAT.  Minister Krstičević presented the Croatian defence industry and addressed the strategic co-operation between Croatia and Israel in the context of the project of procurement of multirole fighter aircraft.

“Croatia’s defence industry is small yet strong and recognised at the international market. The  excellence of Croatian products is evidenced by the positioning of Croatian companies in the international market and Croatia-made equipment and weapons for the Croatian soldiers. The Croatian Armed  Forces and the Ministry of Defence strongly support the development of the Croatian defence industry;“I believe that the project of procurement of multirole fighter aircraft will create business opportunities for Croatian companies. ” The 2018 SIBAT conference was dedicated to global security and defence co-operation, and was attended by some  700 representatives of the Israeli defence industry and the Israeli Ministry of Defence. On the second day Minister Krstičević visited the Ramat David Air Base in north Israel, housing three F-16 squadrons, where he was welcomed by the Base Commander.  

 “Our dream is to see the Croatian pilots fly the first two F-16 aircraft  in  2020 and we hope it will be realised: We are now drafting the contracts, selecting the pilots and technicians to take the training in Israel next year.  We have an opportunity to work with the best; it is most important to have the Isralei experts mentor us and to pass on their valuable knowledge and experience to the Croatian pilots and technicians“. Minister Krstičević also met with the President of Israel Reuven  Rivlin and with the Defence Minister  Avigdor Lieberman – it was the first meeting of defence ministers after the adoption of the Decision on Procurement of F-16 multi-purpose fighter aircraft, during which the ministers discussed the strategic co-operation between  Croatia and Israel, the next steps in the implementation of the procurement of multi-role fighter aircraft, expansion of defence co-operation focussed on cyber security, education and training, as well as the prospects for the future co-operation of the two navies, armies and special forces, defence industries and co-operation in other domains.

“This is our fourth meeting since 2016, when Croatia detached the forces of its Firefighter Squadron to assist Israel fight the large fires. We are enhancing the strategic Israeli-Croatian partnership“, stated Minister Krstičević after the meeting. The Israeli Defence MInister Avigdor Liberman said: “The visit of Minister Krstičević  to Israel is a sign of friendship and co-operation: we have discused our co-operation so far and in the future and I hope that we shall continue carrying our our joint plans“. Minister Krstičević also met with the President of Israel,Reuven Rivlin with whom he discussed the global security threats, with the emphasis on the security situation in southeast Europe  and in the Middle East. They also addressed the prospective first visit of  President Rivlin to Croatia.

Minister Krstičević visited the Yad Vashem Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem, where he paid respects to the victims of the Holocaust.