America on Thursday delivered two Black Hawk army helicopters to Croatia, which is engaged in a mini fingers race with neighbouring Russian best friend Serbia amid simmering tensions within the post-war Balkan area.
The USA Embassy in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, stated the donated UH-60M multi-purpose helicopters will give a contribution to Croatia’s rising protection features and army preparedness in enhance of NATO.
“The Black Hawk supplies features throughout a variety of imaginable missions, from particular operations to tactical troop delivery to aeromedical evacuation,” US Rate d’Affaires Mark Fleming stated because the helicopters arrived on a US Air Drive delivery aircraft to Zagreb.
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“Croatia has earned a name as a dedicated and succesful NATO best friend, and the advent of Black Hawks will additional spice up the capacities of the Croatian Armed Forces,” Fleming stated within the observation.
Defence Minister Mario Banozic thanked america for the donation.
“It represents proof of sturdy, pleasant and allied members of the family, that are progressing annually,” he stated.
Croatia closing month reached an settlement with america to shop for 89 Bradley combating cars as a part of cooperation with Washington and plans as a member of NATO to shape an infantry brigade.
Croatia, which may be a member of the Eu Union, closing 12 months agreed to buy 12 Rafale fighter jets from France.
Serbia, which used to be at struggle with Croatia within the Nineties over its secession from the Serb-led Yugoslavia, has in recent years been arming itself most commonly with Russian and Chinese language warplanes, drones, and anti-aircraft techniques.
In contemporary months, Russia has passed over to Serbia 30 struggle tanks and 30 armored group of workers carriers.
Serbia has additionally not too long ago bought refined Russian Pantsir air defence techniques, in addition to assault and delivery helicopters and Chinese language drones.
Despite the fact that officially in quest of EU club, Serbia has refused to completely align its international insurance policies with the 27-nation bloc and has labored on strengthening its members of the family with Russia and China in parallel.
With Croatia firmly status via its NATO allies within the present tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Serbia stated it’ll stay impartial.