President Zoran Milanovic should say why he pushed for a more expensive offer for Bradley fighting vehicles with fewer vehicles, Defence Minister Mario Banozic said on Thursday after a meeting of the parliamentary Defence Committee on the US vehicles.

Speaking to the press, Banozic said the committee’s opinion was required for any procurement worth over €5 million.

He thanked the committee for hearing the arguments of the General Staff, saying they were “totally different” from what was presented in public in recent weeks in connection with the negotiations with the United States.

The negotiations ensued after a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) delivered on 27 November, Banozic said, and over the past months many meetings were held by the General Staff, the Defence Ministry and everyone involved in the decision making at which the financial aspect as well as all potential risks were considered.

In the procedure, we did what is best for Croatia, he added.

According to the LOA, this offer is much better than the previous one and it will cost taxpayers US$ 100,000 less per vehicle, he said, adding that the US has raised its donation by $6.1 million to $51.1 million.

“We will pay $145 million over several years, successively as the vehicles arrive. We have confirmation, according to information from our American colleagues, which will be passed in the Senate today, for another $11 million.”

Banozic said all the vehicles would be equipped with state-of-the-art cannons, communication systems, additional weapons, ammunition and rockets.

“In that way, the offer is much better than the one for 28 vehicles… Now 61 vehicles are completely equipped, plus five for training.”

He said spare parts and maintenance were mentioned from the start as one of the biggest challenges and risks, and noted that according to letters of intent, the Croatian Djuro Djakovic company will become the Bradleys maintenance centre.

We have met all the requirements the Croatian Army expressed in order to develop the infantry brigade by 2026, the minister said.

Asked to comment on President Milanovic’s statement that he had been more concerned about decorating his flat than equipping the army, the minister said the president should first say why he had pushed for a more expensive offer with fewer Bradleys.

Committee chair satisfied with procurement

The chairman of the parliamentary Defence Committee, Franko Vidovic of the Social Demcorats’ parliamentary club, said the positive decision on the Bradleys procurement showed that there was enough strength within the system and that “we can make decisions by consensus, regardless of all the disputes that exist between us as politicians.”

I’m satisfied with this procurement, it increases the Croatian Army’s capability, meets a NATO target and will also impact the Croatian economy as it will provide Djuro Djakovic with a wide scope of jobs, Vidovic said.

I’m confident this will also give positive impetus to our relations with the US, he added.