November 11 (SeeNews) - Croatia began evaluating the binding bids submitted by the U.S., France and Sweden in its fighter jet procurement procedure, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.
The U.S. submitted its final and binding bid on November 10, offering new F-16 Block 70 jets and used Israeli F-16 Block 30 jets, the defence ministry said in a statement.
France also submitted its final and binding bid on November 10, offering used Rafale jets, while Sweden is due to file its offer of new JAS-39 C/D Gripen jets on November 11.
The process of taking a decision on the proposals at state level will begin at the start of 2021, the ministry said, adding that all tender data have been classified and no further details on the bids would be revealed during the evaluation process.
In September, the defence ministry said Croatia had received initial offers for fighter jet procurement from Sweden, the U.S., France and Israel.
Back then, defence minister Mario Banozic confirmed that the government is sticking to its plan to buy 12 fighter jets.
In January, the Croatian government sent requests for proposals for the delivery of new fighter jets to the U.S. (F-16), and Sweden (JAS Gripen), and requests for the procurement of used fighter jets to France (Rafale), Italy (Eurofighter) and Norway, Greece and Israel (F-16).
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