January 26 (SeeNews) - Croatia has agreed to pay $145.3 million (129 million euro) for the purchase of 89 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles from the U.S., aiming to improve the capabilities of its land forces and meet its commitments as a member of NATO, prime minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Wednesday.
The overall value of the deal is $196.4 million and it includes a U.S. donation of $51.1 million, Plenkovic told a news conference, as seen in a video file published on the website of news portal Index.hr.
Under the deal, Croatia will acquire 62 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, 22 vehicles for spare parts and five vehicles for training.
The upgrade of the fighting vehicles will be carried out by Croatian manufacturer of special purpose vehicles Djuro Djakovic Specijalna Vozila from 2023 to 2026.
One of Croatia's obligations as a member of NATO is to set up by 2026 an infantry brigade which will require additional equipment, Plenkovic said, adding that the government has been working on the deal with the U.S. since 2017.
The Adriatic country joined NATO on April 1, 2009.
($=0.8863 euro)