Sweden offers Gripens to Croatia in exchange for exercise rights

Sweden has offered to donate military aircraft to the Croatian Air Force, with Gripens on offer to the former Yugoslav republic in return for Sweden conducting some exercises at Croatia's Adriatic coast. The Croatians are seeking to replace their elderly MiG-21s.

Germany offers Croatia Phantoms

Croatian state TV has reported that Germany has offered Croatia 20 ageing F-4F Phantom fighter planes to replace its even older MIG-21 jets. Croatia has a small number of late-model MiG-21bis interceptors in its fleet that are rapidly approaching the end of their service lives

Croatia, Slovenia to pursue joint fighter deal

Croatia and Slovenia have agreed to form a new working group to study the possible joint procurement of at least 12 multirole fighters. Croatia's small fleet of upgraded MiG-21s are nearing the end of their service lives, while Slovenia has no fighters and currently depends on Italy to provide air defence.

Croatian MiG-21s lost in mid-air collision during exercise

The Croatian Defence Ministry has announced that two Croatian Air Force MiG-21s were lost when they collided in mid-air during an exercise in central Croatia September 13. Both pilots ejected safely.