Croatia’s Rafale Fighters Take Over National Air Defence from NATO

 

The Croatian Air Force has formally assumed full responsibility for the protection of national airspace following the operational activation of its Dassault Rafale fighter fleet, bringing to an end NATO’s temporary air-policing mission over the country. This transition represents a strategic milestone for Croatia, marking its return to fully sovereign air defence capabilities for the first time in decades.
From NATO Air Policing to National QRA
Since the retirement of its aging MiG-21 fleet, Croatia relied on NATO allies to safeguard its airspace under an interim air-policing arrangement. Allied fighters periodically deployed to Croatian bases, ensuring Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) coverage while the country rebuilt its fighter capability.
With the Rafale now declared operational, Croatian pilots and ground crews have assumed responsibility for 24/7 airspace monitoring and interception duties. This includes the identification of non-cooperative aircraft, airspace violations, and potential security threats, fully integrated within NATO’s air command and control structure.

The introduction of the Rafale F3-R represents a dramatic technological leap compared to Croatia’s previous fighter inventory. The aircraft is equipped with the RBE2 AESA radar, advanced electronic warfare systems, secure NATO-compatible datalinks, and a modern cockpit optimized for network-centric operations.
In the air-defence role, the Rafale provides Croatia with long-range detection and engagement capabilities, supported by beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles and highly capable self-protection systems. This significantly enhances reaction times, situational awareness, and survivability in contested airspace.

While national air policing is the most visible task, the Rafale brings far broader operational value. The aircraft is fully multirole, capable of precision strike, maritime attack, reconnaissance, and close air support. For Croatia, this means the ability to contribute more meaningfully to NATO and EU operations, exercises, and collective deterrence initiatives.
The Rafale’s presence also strengthens security in the Adriatic region, where air and maritime traffic density requires robust monitoring and rapid response capabilities. Interoperability with allied air forces ensures seamless coordination during joint operations and multinational exercises.

Assuming full air-defence duties is a powerful symbol of Croatia’s maturation as a NATO member. It reduces reliance on allied deployments while simultaneously enhancing the Alliance’s overall defensive posture by adding a highly capable air combat platform to the regional order of battle.
For NATO, the transition frees allied aircraft for other high-demand missions, particularly at a time of increased airspace activity and heightened security concerns across Europe. For Croatia, it confirms the long-term value of its Rafale acquisition as both a military and strategic investment.

As pilot training, weapons integration, and operational experience continue to grow, Croatia’s Rafale fleet is expected to reach even higher readiness levels. The aircraft will become the backbone of national air power for decades, anchoring Croatia’s air defence and expeditionary capabilities well into the future.

France expands its Rafale fleet with an additional 42 units

According to the France's Military Planning Law [LPM] 2019-25, the 2023 Finance Law envisaged the order of thirty additional Rafale fighters, corresponding to the fifth production batch of Dassault Aviation's aircraft. Additionally, there was talk of acquiring 12 more planes to replace those sold to Croatia.

However, the year 2023 came to an end without any announcement, but onJanuary 12, the Ministry of the Armed Forces announced that the General Directorate of Armaments [DGA] had just notified Dassault Aviation, Safran, and MBDA of the contract "for the 5th production batch of the Rafale program."

This includes the production of 42 aircraft in the single-seat F4 standard for the Air and Space Army. This order is made possible by the LPM 2024-2030. The first aircraft of this 5th batch will be delivered as early as 2027. The value of this new order amounts to at least 5 billion euros.

With the F4 standard, the Rafale enters the era of collaborative combat, boasting "enhanced data exchange capabilities" and improved protection against "cyber" threats. The Rafale F4 incorporates the SCORPION helmet sight [provided by Thales], an improved firing system to maximize the potential of the long-range Meteor air-to-air missile [which can be "managed" by another aircraft than the "shooter"], and an more powerful active electronically scanned array [AESA] RBE-2 radar and an upgraded Rafale Self-Protection and Evasion System [SPECTRA]. Additionally, it features new functionalities such as the Ground Moving Target Indicator [GMTI] mode for the detection and tracking of ground targets.

The aircraft in this 5th production batch will be upgraded to the F4 standard, the development of which was launched in 2018 This standard includes the integration of the Contact radio station, the MICA NG missile, and the digital autonomous jammer [BAN] integrated into the Rafale's SPECTRA self-protection system. These fighter jets will also be designed to evolve towards the F5 standard in the 2030s.

Croatia to donate 14 Mi-8 helicopters to Ukraine

Croatia is planning to donate 14 Mi-8 helicopters to Ukraine.

Croatian Defence Minister stated that maintenance re-serves for some of the helicopters will end next year, and they are due to be replaced with more modern military equipment.
These helicopters were already slated for decommission by 2026, as Croatia plans to retire all of its Soviet-era equipment.

english.nv.ua 

NEWS 2022 March, 22

USAF deploys F-16s from Aviano AB to Croatia

Two F-16s deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy, to Croatia on March 16, taking part in  combat employment exercises and bolstering NATO’s southeastern flank, the Air Force announced.

The F-16 fighters’ arrival comes just a few days after a military drone crashed in the Croatian capital of Zagreb amid nearby war between Russia and Ukraine. Croatian officials say the drone had a bomb, but they have not determined whether it was Russian or Ukrainian. The incident has led Croatian leaders to criticize NATO for a perceived slow response.

On March 15, Newsweek reported that Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said in a press conference that the U.S. would send the F-16s to “give support of Croatia’s security.”

A subsequent press release from U.S. Air Forces in Europe stated that the fighters would deploy to Croatia’s 91st Air Base at Pleso, just outside the capital.

This marks just the latest deployment of USAF fighters to Eastern Europe. In the lead-up to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, F-16s deployed to Romania, F-15s went to Poland, and F-35s landed in Germany. As the invasion first unfolded, F-35s from Germany were deployed to NATO’s eastern flank, including Romania. A B-52 also deployed to the region around the same time, as part of what USAFE called a “long-planned Bomber Task Force Europe mission over the Arctic and Baltic Sea regions.”

airforcemag 

NATO deploys Patriot missiles to Slovakia

The Patriot air defence system has started arriving in Slovakia from NATO countries.

The system will be operated by German and Dutch troops and will initially be deployed at the Sliac airport to help reinforce the defence of NATO's eastern flank.

The Patriot system will be part of a new NATO battlegroup in Slovakia, which neighbours Ukraine.

Russia has warned against any shipments of advanced air defences to Ukraine and has warned it may target Western arms supplies.

reuters

Production of first New Zealand P-8 has started

Boeing has “laid the keel” of the first P-8A destined for the New Zealand Defence Force, . New Zealand holds orders for four of the jets.

Aircraft keels run the length of fuselage bellies, though P-8 keels have “unique aspects of the P-8 configuration, such as the integration of an internal weapons bay”, Boeing says.

The New Zealand Defence Force will use the Boeing-built maritime patrol aircraft, powered by CFM International CFM56 turbofans, to replace six ageing Lockheed P-3K2 Orion turboprops.

Current operators include the armed forces of Australia, India, Norway, the United Kingdom and the USA. Customers yet to begin flying the jets include Germany, New Zealand and South Korea.

flightglobal

MiG-31 Still Strong launching Kinzhal Hypersonyc Missiles in Ukraine war

Russia announced the use of the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal (Dagger) air-launched high-speed ballistic missile for the first time against a target in Ukraine on 19 March.

A video released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Russian Federation purportedly showed the missile being used against a Ukrainian ammunition depot in the west of the country.

janes

NEWS 2022 March, 6

French Navy 'Charles de Gaulle' aircraft carrier reinforces NATO's activities in Eastern Europe

According to a Marine Nationale (French Navy) statement 'Charles de Gaulle  CSG set sail again yesterday after a few days of port call in Cyprus. Clemenceau22 continues, but the mission evolves to adapt to the current geopolitical situation. (...). The detection capabilities of the E2-C Hawkeye will notably enable the carrier strike group to assess the surface situation at the Europe maritime borders, especially in the Black Sea. Deployed yesterday in CJTFOIR to fight against Daech, engaged today for the benefit of the reassurance of our NATO partners on the eastern flank of Europe, the carrier strike group continues to operate for the protection of France and the European continent.'

The 'Charles de Gaulle' will contribute 3 Combat Air Patrols (CAP) of two Rafale M each, per day. This translates into a nearly permanent (24 hours) presence. In addition, a daily E-2C Hawkeye flight is planned from the carrier, as well as occasion patrols by the two ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) currently based in Cyprus. The Rafale M will be refueled by NATO tankers present in the area. The patrol zones are the skies above Romania, Bulgaria and the Black Sea, sailing in the Mediterranean sea.
navalnews

Dassault plans to increase Rafale production to meet export sales success

Production of Rafale fighters will increase to three per month by the middle of the decade on the back of export sales success from a planned two-per-month rate.

In 2021, Dassault booked orders for 49 examples of the Rafale: 31 for Egypt, 12 for France and six for Greece. .However, those figures do not include blockbuster orders from the United Arab Emirates (80) and Indonesia (42), which were respectively signed in December 2021 and February this year. Greece is also likely to commit to another six aircraft, and France is expected to commit to at least another 42 in 2023, under its fifth order tranche for delivery from 2027.

However, the sharp ramp-up will not take place in 2022, when Dassault will ship just 13 Rafales, down from 25 in 2021, all of which will again go to export customers, Egypt and India.

Deliveries of the Rafale to France have been paused for several years due to some budgetary choices and are only likely to resume from 2023 or beyond.

Last year Croatia also joined the Rafale operator community, signing for 12 secondhand examples from France.

flightglobal

Air Force One replacement facing additional delays

While the Air Force and Boeing have yet to finalize a new schedule for the presidential aircraft replacement program, it now appears that the first new Air Force One plane will be delivered to the service even later than previously expected.

Boeing now expects that it will deliver the first VC-25B a total of 17 months later than originally scheduled.

That timeline has not been accepted by the Air Force and could change as the service negotiates with Boeing on a new schedule baseline. But Boeing’s new projection, which has been conveyed to stakeholders outside of the company, represents a growth from the 12-month delay presented by the company last year.

Boeing has pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the bankruptcy of its now-defunct subcontractor GDC Technics as the major causes of the delay. GDC Technics was under contract to build the interiors of the VC-25B, but Boeing cancelled the contract and sued GDC,.

Any cost increases associated with the delay would be borne by Boeing, due to the fixed-price nature of its $3.9 billion contract with the Air Force. That contract covers the engineering, manufacturing and development work associated with turning baseline Boeing 747s into a presidential aircraft furnished with highly-classified defensive systems, hardened electronics and secure communications gear.

breakingdefense 

Croatia in talks with Sweden, U.S. on new fighter jets

Croatia is in talks with Sweden and the United States on buying fighter jets to modernize its air force.
Zagreb was close to striking a deal on buying a squadron of used and refitted F-16 fighter jets from Israel, but eventually Israel informed Croatia it could not sell the planes as it could not secure an approval from the United States.
Israel had been in competition with several countries bidding for Zagreb’s business and its most serious competitor was reported to have been Sweden’s SAAB offering new Gripen planes. .
Croatia joined the NATO alliance in 2009 and the EuropeanUnion in 2013. Its air force has a squadron of Russian-made MiG-21 jets dating from its past within old Yugoslavia, but they are outdated and only a few are operational at the moment.
reuters

Israel Sells Croatia 12 F-16 Fighter Jets for $500 Million

Croatia's government has approved the purchase of 12 used Israeli F-16 fighter aircraft in a package worth $500 million.
The deal was agreed at a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the prime minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenkovic, at the World Economic forum in Davos in January.
The deal, which includes the training of pilots in Israel, aircraft armament, a training simulator and the construction and equipping of facilities at Croatia's military airports, is lead by Israel Ministry of Defense in cooperation with the Israeli Air Force along with Elbit and Israel Aerospace Industries.
haaretz

Israel offers surplus F-16 to Croatia

Israel is offering Croatia surplus F-16A/Bs upgraded to the ACE configuration, as replacements for its Mikoyan MiG-21 fighters.
The Israeli air force is phasing out its F-16A/B-model trainers, ahead of deliveries of the new-generation Lockheed F-35A, which are expected to begin in 2017.
The F-16 ACE upgrade provides an Elta Systems EL/M-2032 fire control radar with synthetic aperture radar mapping modes. The aircraft also can be equipped with a variety of new weapons and sensors.
If a buyer is found for the ex-Israeli air force fighters, they could receive advanced weapons, including Rafael’s Python 5 air-to-air missile.
Croatia earlier this year confirmed plans to replace its MiG-21. Second-hand F-16s are being offered by the USA, while Sweden is promoting upgraded Saab Gripen C/Ds.
flightglobal

Croatia Unveils Plans to Acquire New Fighter Jets To Replace MiG-21s

The Croatian government has unveiled plans to acquire new fighter jets with the aim of replacing its Soviet-designed Mikoyan MiG-21s.
The two leading contenders for the designed deal are the F-16 JAS-39 Gripen, with Zagreb planning to buy aircraft that are either new or currently used by other NATO member states, local newspaper Jutarnji first reported. Alternatives considered included France's Mirage, Israeli Kfir and a version of South Korea's T-50.
The Croatian government is reportedly aiming to replace its Soviet-designed fighter jets with Western-made aircraft as part of the country's ongoing efforts to modernize its Air Force's fleet and eliminate weapons and military equipment used by Russia and its allies.
Currently, the Croatian Air Force has a total of 12 MiG-21bisD/UMD aircraft in its fleet.
The new fighter jet for the country's armed forces is to be selected by the end of this year.
The amount of the planned procurement, as well as the estimated worth of the acquisition, was not disclosed by the Croatian authorities.
defensenews

Croatia to sell surplus military Mi-24Vs, An-32Bs and PC-9s

Croatia is looking to sell a wide range of its surplus Croatian Air Force aircraft.
The country hopes to sell seven Mil Mi-24V 'Hind' attack helicopters, two Antonov An-32B 'Curl' tactical transport aircraft, and six Pilatus PC-9 turboprop trainer aircraft).
The country has set a deadline of 28 January for interested parties to submit a letter of intent.
The principal reasoning behind the sale of the aircraft is financial, caused by the declining state of the Croatian economy and its defence budget, although other reasons are also at play.
Croatia's Mi-24Vs were in limited use after the conflicts of the 1990s, and were withdrawn from service over a decade ago. Their sale has previously been contemplated on multiple occasions, but at least once a prospective sale is understood to have been squashed by active opposition from Moscow.
The two An-32Bs were recently used in Croatian Air Force service, including in both Iraq and Afghanistan, but with the aircraft due to undergo a period of deep maintenance Croatia now seeks to sell them. No official thought was given to their conversion for a naval surveillance role, although such aircraft are sorely missed in Croatia.
The sale of the PC-9s is driven partially by the imbalance between the number of training aircraft Croatia has for its pilots and its meagre number of available supersonic fighter aircraft. However, with Croatia's MiG-21 upgrade programme finally reaching completion, and with demand for foreign pilot training growing, the sale of the PC-9s may be reconsidered in the near future.
janes

Russia receives new Mi-8AMTSh 'Hip' helicopters

The first consignment of a recent order of 40 Mil Mi-8AMTSh 'Hip' helicopters has been delivered to the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The handover of the four Mi-8AMTSh platforms marks the start of the delivery phase of a contract that was signed in August 2013. The 40 new helicopters will add to the 30 already known to be fielded by Russia (the status of an additional order for 30 helicopters is not clear).
Specific improvements include the fitting of the more powerful and reliable Klimov VK-2500 engines and an upgraded and strengthened transmission, a new TA-14 auxiliary powerplant, additional fuel tanks, ballistic protection for the crew and systems, a night-vision goggle compatible cockpit, modern navigation equipment, the option for a nose-mounted thimble radome, and chin-mounted electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) turret.
As well as enhanced systems, the Mi-8AMTSh can also accommodate new weapons systems on 'wing' pylons, such as 9M343/9M39 Igla 'Grouse' air-to-air missiles, 9M114/9M114M Shturm-V 'Spiral' air-to-surface missiles, 23 mm gun pods, and B8V20A rocket pods equipped with S-8 80 mm unguided rockets.
Designated Mi-171Sh internationally, the Mi-8AMTSh has also been sold to Croatia, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, and Peru.
janes

First overhauled MiG 21 sent back to Croatia from Ukraine

The first out of a total of five MiG 21 BIS aircraft of the Croatian armed forces that underwent overhaul in Odessa, Ukraine, was delivered back to Croatia on Saturday afternoon. The second overhauled aircraft can be expected in Croatia in mid-next week. A Ukrainian team of 11 engineers and technicians will arrive in Zagreb on 15 April to help their Croatian colleagues to re-assemble the overhauled planes.
dalje.com

Croatia nears receipt of delayed MiG-21s from Ukraine

Croatia's defence ministry says the current turmoil in Ukraine has nothing to do with a roughly five-month delay in returning its Mikoyan MiG-21bisD that are being overhauled in Odessa, instead citing “technical problems”.
These include issues with integrating new navigation and communication equipment, along with digital to analogue signal conversion.
The project includes the overhaul of seven aircraft and the provision of five additional single-seat examples.
The air force on 21 February took delivery of its first two Mil Mi-8MTV/-17 transport helicopters to have been overhauled under a co-operation agreement between repair facilities in Ukraine and Croatia.
Meanwhile, the Croatian defence ministry has signed a deal to train 16 student pilots from Oman, using its Pilatus PC-9s.
flightglobal

Ukraine Repairs Ka - 27 ASW Helicopter for Vietnam

Industrial Ukraine Aircraft repair plant Sevastopol is engaged in repair and modernization of helicopters for overseas customers .In that contract with Vietnam to repair the submarine hunting helicopter Ka-28, with Iraq to repair and upgrade the Mi-8T helicopters and with Croatia to modernize the helicopter Mi-8, Mi-17.
Currently, Vietnam Navy active 2 helicopters are key hunting ground Kamov Ka-27 and Ka-28 , both helicopters have already been used for years and is gradually becoming obsolete, so need to be upgraded as well as extending the life of equipment replacement air, to fit the new maritime patrol missions to combat today.
defense-studies

Croatia to refurbish MiGs, delaying new combat type

The Croatian government has formally decided to refurbish part of its current Mikoyan MiG-21-based fleet, and to add more examples of the type to have one operational squadron, as a shortage of funds continues to thwart plans to acquire a new type.
flightglobal

Six Countries Offer to Sell Warships to Philippines

At least six foreign countries are offering frigates to the Philippines after the Department of National Defense (DND) expressed interest in purchasing at least two more warships to boost territorial defense amid the dispute at West Philippine Sea.

Fernando Manalo, Defense Undersecretary for finance, munitions, installations and materiel, disclosed that aside from Italy, countries that are offering their frigates are South Korea, Spain, United States, Israel, Croatia, and Australia.

Manalo said that earlier, the Philippines is only eyeing the refurbished Maestrale-class frigates from the Italian navy worth over P11 billion, but more countries have made their offers in the latter part of 2012.

defense-studies

Sweden offers to lease 8 Gripens to Croatia

Sweden has offered eight Saab Gripen fighters to Croatia on a 10-year lease to replace its aging MiG-21.

learn more

Sweden offers Croatia Gripen purchase

Croatia has been formally offered the purchase of eight Saab Gripen C/Ds to replace its aged air force fleet of Mikoyan MiG-21 fighters.

learn more

Croatian Air Force-Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo i protuzračna obrana (HRZ i PVO)

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CROATIAN AIR FORCE ON SCRMAMBLE

CROATIAN AIR FORCE ON WIKIPEDIA

Croacia y Eslovenia comprarán un caza conjuntamente/ Croatia, Slovenia to pursue joint fighter deal

Croacia y Eslovenia han acordado estudiar la compra conjunta de 12 nuevos cazas.
Croacia dispone de cazas MiG-21 cuya vida útil termina en 2011. Actualmente dispone de 10 unidades, estando solo cuatro operativa.
Se ha tenido en cuenta para su sustitución el Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16, RSK MiG-35 y el Saab Gripen, pero debido a restricciones presupuestarias no ha sido posible adquirir un sustituto.
Eslovenia dispone de nueve Pilatus PC-9M, con capacidad de disparar cohetes, ametralladoras y misiles AIM-9 Sidewinder, aunque su defensa aéra la proporciona Italia.
Podría formarse una fuerza aérea conjunta entre ambos países, y podría también adquirirse un avión de transporte de manera también.
flightglobal
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Croatia and Slovenia have agreed to form a new working group to study the possible joint procurement of at least 12 multirole fighters.
Croatia's remaining MiG-21s will reach the end of their service lives by the end of 2011. Two of its aircraft were lost in a recent mid-air collision, which reduced its fleet of the type to 10, but that includes only four operational examples.
The nation had postponed a new fighter tender due to budget constraints, with the Eurofighter Typhoon, Lockheed Martin F-16, RSK MiG-35 and Saab Gripen having been in contention. It is unclear when a decision could be made under the new bilateral arrangement.
The Slovenian air force has nine Pilatus PC-9Ms modified to carry unguided rockets and pod-housed machine guns. They are also wired to carry Raytheon AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, although Italy now provides air policing cover for the nation.
A joint Croatian/Slovenian air force could be established at the latter's Cerklje air base, with co-operation between the NATO members to also possibly be extended to a joint transport acquisition.
flightglobal