Croatian Air Force News and Discussion

[Picard]

Thread for anything related to Croatian Air Force.

Yester-yesterday news: Croatian air force took delivery of the first Rafale:

The first Croatian Rafale is in the hands of Croatian pilots, marking the generational success of the Croatian Government - MORH

This is an incredible day for Croatia as well as for our pilots, who've demonstrated the depth of commitment, professionalism, and talent of the Croatian Armed Forces, according to Mr. Banožić

www.morh.hr

This is the first Croatian Rafale – its historic number is 170! - MORH

The acquisition of these NATO-compatible aircraft is sufficient for the next 30 years or more, according to expert usage predictions in Croatian Air Force

www.morh.hr

Official handover ceremony of the first Rafale multirole combat aircraft in France - MORH

Defence Minister Mario Banožić and delegations of the Croatian Government and the Croatian Armed Forces will attend the official handover ceremony at the French Air Force Base Mont-de-Marsan

www.morh.hr

Private Site

To sum it up: Croatia had been using ancient MiG-21s for ages now. Croatia had been seeking to replace MiG-21s since 2017 at least (and talking about it since 2010), as several had been lost to engine failure as a consequence of age and wear and tear (some of the aircraft had fought in the Homeland War!). In fact, six MiG-21s had been lost by 2022. MiG-21s were not supposed to remain in active service beyond 2018, yet Croatian finances and politics being what they are, they are still flying in 2023.

Candidates for replacement had been F-16C, F-16I, MiG-29, Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale. After a lot of going back-and-forth (and, one assumes, a lot of bribes under the table), final choice fell on Dassault Rafale.

 

[Haldilal]

Thread for anything related to Croatian Air Force.

Yester-yesterday news: Croatian air force took delivery of the first Rafale:

The first Croatian Rafale is in the hands of Croatian pilots, marking the generational success of the Croatian Government - MORH

This is an incredible day for Croatia as well as for our pilots, who've demonstrated the depth of commitment, professionalism, and talent of the Croatian Armed Forces, according to Mr. Banožić

www.morh.hr

This is the first Croatian Rafale – its historic number is 170! - MORH

The acquisition of these NATO-compatible aircraft is sufficient for the next 30 years or more, according to expert usage predictions in Croatian Air Force

www.morh.hr

Official handover ceremony of the first Rafale multirole combat aircraft in France - MORH

Defence Minister Mario Banožić and delegations of the Croatian Government and the Croatian Armed Forces will attend the official handover ceremony at the French Air Force Base Mont-de-Marsan

www.morh.hr

Private Site

To sum it up: Croatia had been using ancient MiG-21s for ages now. Croatia had been seeking to replace MiG-21s since 2017 at least (and talking about it since 2010), as several had been lost to engine failure as a consequence of age and wear and tear (some of the aircraft had fought in the Homeland War!). In fact, six MiG-21s had been lost by 2022. MiG-21s were not supposed to remain in active service beyond 2018, yet Croatian finances and politics being what they are, they are still flying in 2023.

Candidates for replacement had been F-16C, F-16I, MiG-29, Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale. After a lot of going back-and-forth (and, one assumes, a lot of bribes under the table), final choice fell on Dassault Rafale.

Ya'll Nibbiars debt finance?.

 

[Narasimh]

Rafale is a big leap from Mig 21s.. Tejas trainer could be a good LIFT solution for pilots if HAL and defence attaches market to these smaller NATO air forces.

 

[Picard]

Rafale is a big leap from Mig 21s.. Tejas trainer could be a good LIFT solution for pilots if HAL and defence attaches market to these smaller NATO air forces.

I'm not sure there was any talk about acquiring jet trainers, even though logically that should have been the next step.

So I assume we will still be using the old Pilatus PC-9: