Aircraft
Central European F-16 Deals Facing Political Hurdles
Three Central European air forces are planning to replace their aging MiG-21/29 fleets with F-16s, but each of the programs faces political issues.
Three Israeli F-16D Block 30 Barak fighters, supported by a Boeing 707 Re'em tanker, visited Croatia in early August 2018 following the type's selection but in advance of the final contract signature. On their arrival they were escorted in by Croatian MiG-21s. (Photo: Ministarstvo obrane Republike Hrvatske)
Three Israeli F-16D Block 30 Barak fighters, supported by a Boeing 707 Re'em tanker, visited Croatia in early August 2018 following the type's selection but in advance of the final contract signature. On their arrival they were escorted in by Croatian MiG-21s. (Photo: Ministarstvo obrane Republike Hrvatske)

Despite a strong will in the armies of the Central Eastern Europe (CEE) region to replace obsolete Soviet/Russian-made equipment with up-to-date Western aircraft, a number of political obstacles have emerged, both internally and internationally. These issues have affected three ongoing programs to procure F-16 fighters in Croatia, Slovakia, and Bulgaria.