First Croatian Rafales delivered
On 25 April 2024, the first six Rafale fighter aircraft were delivered to the Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovsto (Croatian Air Force). The fighter aircraft, four single-seat and two dual-seat, landed at Zagreb/Franjo Tudjman Air Base and will be operated by 191. Eskadrila Lovačkih Aviona (ELA, 191 Fighter Squadron). The ceremony was attended by President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
In May 2021, Croatia announced that they would sign a contract by the year-end for twelve used Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace (French Air and Space Force) Dassault Rafale fighters. By the end of 2021, the contract was signed for the procurement of the fighters. The twelve aircraft are divided into ten single-seat and two dual-seat aircraft.
This contract, valued at 999 million euro, includes a flight simulator, basic weapons package, ground and test equipment, spare parts, training of staff and instructors, support from manufacturers for three years and a 12-month warranty for each aircraft, engine and other equipment.
The six former French Air Force aircraft involved are: Rafale C 150 (ex 124), 151 (ex 131), 152 (ex 141), and 153 (ex 144) and Rafale B 170 (ex 318) and 171 (ex 315). A video of the arrival of the aircraft can be found at YouTube (credit EdoStuff Aviation)
The final six Rafale fighters will arrive from late 2024 and the 191 Fighter Squadron will be complete by mid-2025.
Credit photo: Boytronic Photography/Croatian Aero Creative Photography