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C O N F I D E N T I A L ZAGREB 000789 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FROM AMBASSADOR FOR DOD DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FATA 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR, EUR/SCE 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/23/2017 
TAGS: PREL MARR MASS MOPS NATO HR DEFENSE REFORM
SUBJECT: FIXED-WING FIGHTERS: TIME TO ENGAGE CROATIANS ON 
PROCUREMENT 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Robert A. Bradtke for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
¶1. (C) Since my arrival just over a year ago, I have 
repeatedly stressed to GoC officials that, as a future NATO 
member, Croatia did not need to procure fixed-wing fighter 
aircraft.  I, along with my DAO and ODC staff, have argued 
consistently that the GoC could rely on NATO partners for air 
policing and would be much wiser to invest in rotary wing and 
medium lift capabilities.  The Croatians, however, have 
remained steadfast in their commitment to procure fighters 
and have publicly announced it as the next big procurement in 
their military modernization plans.  Saab has already begun 
aggressively marketing the Swedish Gripen.  I believe it is 
time to stop discouraging this procurement and begin 
educating the Croatians on the true costs and complexities of 
a fighter purchase in order to persuade them that, if they 
are going to buy fighters, then U.S. F-16s are the best 
choice for this air force. 
 
WAR EXPERIENCE DRIVING FIXED-WING FIXATION 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶2. (C) Minister of Defense Berislav Roncevic has told me 
directly that the GoC cannot be talked out of fighter jets. 
Memories of the air raids the early 1990s are too fresh in 
Croatian minds, making this an emotional argument that defies 
fiscal logic.  "My son," Roncevic told me, "will never have 
to use a bomb shelter."  The Prime Minister and others have 
echoed this sentiment. 
 
¶3. (C) While at one time we may have thought this procurement 
was driven only by senior air force officers looking to keep 
fast movers in their inventory, it is now clear to me that 
the decision to procure fighters has been made at the top 
levels of the GoC and is irreversible.  While no formal 
tender has been issued, the military has begun actively 
studying fighter options, with new Gripens and refitted F-16s 
already named as the leading contenders. 
 
TIME TO EDUCATE AND START MARKETING 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (C) I propose that we begin extensive education 
immediately to make the Croatians smart customers.  Our 
objective should be to make sure they set realistic timelines 
for this procurement and are aware of the true maintenance 
costs of fighter aircraft and their future impact on 
Croatia's defense budget.  The Gripen vs. F-16 match-up is 
not a new one -- we learned valuable lessons in the F-16 sale 
to Poland and the Gripen sale in Hungary that should be 
shared with the Croatians to guide their tender process. 
 
¶5. (C) This month, credible press reports indicate that the 
GoC will choose a Finnish armored personnel carrier over one 
from the subsidiary of a U.S. manufacturer, at least in part 
due to the superior marketing efforts of the Finns.  This has 
convinced me that we must engage now and engage assertively. 
Saab has already begun its Gripen marketing campaign to the 
Croatians, opening an office in Zagreb, providing detailed 
technical specifications for the Ministry of Defense's 
procurement study, touring military personnel and journalists 
through the factory, and effectively working the media.  The 
US has done none of this.  Saab is already seen in the 
hallways of the Defense Ministry as the more serious partner. 
 We should move quickly to catch up in order to be 
competitive on this procurement. 
 
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS TRIP OFFERS ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
¶6. (C) A distinguished visitors orientation tour (DVOT) to 
Washington and Tampa scheduled for September 10-20 provides a 
unique opportunity to engage top Croatian military officials 
on this issue.  Participants include DCHOD LTG Baric, Air 
Force Cmdr BG Bagaric, Army Cmdr LTG Kruljac, J-4 BG Ostovic, 
and J-7 BG Matanovic.  In addition, Air Force Cmdr BG Bagaric 
will attend an air commanders' conference in the US following 
the DVOT and may have several open days between these events. 
 An additional opportunity to engage GoC officials may also 
present itself at an Adriatic-3/Baltic-3 meeting of defense 
and foreign ministers in mid-October in Split, Croatia. 
BRADTKE