Defence Minister Mario Banozic on Wednesday dismissed any possibility that would bring into question the procurement of France's Rafale fighter jets, saying the contract would be signed by the end of the year.

I see no problem which could bring into question the completion of the procurement which, we must all say, was indeed done in a professional way, he told the press in Split.

He thanked the U.S. allies “for supporting the whole process,” saying they did so “because they know how much the Croatian Air Force means for the complete defence of Croatia and our geostrategic position.”

The minister was asked if he had discussed with the U.S. partners the purchase of additional equipment for which a U.S. permit would be required.

Croatia has excellent cooperation with the French allies in the procurement of the fighter jets, he said, adding that Croatia received “big support from our American allies for our choice.”

Banozic said there was a question regarding the Third Party Transfer and that it “refers to crypto modules which, technically, every army has.”

He said Croatia would have to buy its own module “and that’s how we will resolve that directly with the Americans.”