First 6 Rafales for the Croatian Air Force just Landed in Zagreb

Croatia’s first batch of six Rafale fighter jets landed in the country on April 25.

The aircraft, part of an agreement signed in November 2021, arrived at the 91st operational base near Zagreb. Croatian President Zoran Milanović, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić attended a ceremony welcoming the Rafales, which were piloted by Croatian aircrew trained in France.

Official handover of the aircraft to Croatia from France took place in October 2023.

The Rafale acquisition, valued at approximately €1.155 billion, involves the procurement of 12 aircraft to replace Croatia's aging MiG-21 fleet. The deal, finalized in November 2021, includes ten single-seater and two twin-seater Rafales, all in the F3-R standard. These aircraft come equipped with advanced systems such as the METEOR Long Range Air-to-Air Missile and Thales TALIOS Laser Targeting Pod.

Future deliveries are expected to occur over the next year, with the complete squadron planned for deployment by mid-2025. The Rafale acquisition is a strategic investment aimed at enhancing Croatia's defense capabilities and ensuring long-term operational readiness within NATO.