Croatian Pilots to Start Training for Rafales

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Croatian Pilots to Start Training for Rafales – History and War (wordpress.com)

French instructors have finished selection of pilots of Croatian Air Force who will, in a year’s time, transfer to France for training on Rafale F3R fighter jets, some of the best in the world. Rafale procurement is the single greatest budgetary item in Croatian defense budget, worth 999 million Euros, and will likely be signed in the late October or early November.

There were doubts about whether US would block the acquisition, or if Croatia will be getting incompletely equipped Rafales. It was confirmed however that Croatian Rafales will be fully equipped, in configuration equal to that used by the French Air Force. Since France is the producer of Rafale, there is no need for TPT (Third Party Transfer) as was the case with Israeli F-16s.

Croatian pilots and mechanics will leave for education in France in early 2023. Contingent will consist of 12 pilots and 80-odd mechanics and engineers. Six pilots, ones already flying on MiG-21s, will be first to leave and will immediately start training on Rafales. They will be followed by six younger pilots who had finished basic education on Pilatus training aircraft. In Croatia, pilots immediately moved from Pilatus to supersonic jet fighters, but in France they will first transfer to Alpha Jet trainer aircraft before “upgrading” to Rafales.

First Croatian pilots, who by then will have status of instructors, will return to Croatia in 2024. by flying Rafales to Croatia. Majority of education will have been carried out in France, while some of it will happen in Croatia thanks to acquisition of the simulator as well as the fact that two out of 12 Rafales will be twin-seaters. Few dozen of French mechanics and engineers as well as flight crews will arrive to Zagreb as well, where they will assist Croatian Air Force in transition to Rafales. Rafales will be based on Pleso.

 

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Croatia Signs Rafale Purchase – History and War (wordpress.com)

Two F3R Rafales flew over Zagreb after Croatian government had signed the purchase of new fighter jets for Croatian Air Force. This happened after Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and French President Emmanuel Macron had signed new Strategic Partnership Agreement and oversaw signing of the sale agreement for a Rafale squadron, which was signed by Ministers for Defense, Mario Banožić and Florence Parly.

Croatia is buying twelve used Dassault Rafale F3R fighter jets, of which 10 single-seaters and 2 two-seaters. Price will be 1,2 billion Euros, to be paid in five installments from 2022. to 2026. This is some 15 per cent more than what was originally reported. In May 2021., when decision had been made, stated cost was 999 million Euros. The price of Rafale purchase did not in fact increase, as the differential of 200 million Euros is Value Added Tax which is paid into the budget of Republic of Croatia.

Along with 12 aircraft, Croatia will also receive a modern flight simulator, ground and test equipment, spare parts and support contract with Dassault Aviation. Also included are basic air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons packages, as well as training of flight and ground crews. Training of ground personnel will start in late 2022., while that of pilots will begin in early 2023. Contract includes training of personnel, military cooperation and joint exercises of French Air Force (AdlA) and Croatian Air Force (HRZ). Transfer of ownership will be carried out in France, upon which Croatian pilots will fly Rafales to Croatia. Eight Rafales will arrive to Croatia in late 2024., while remaining four will arrive in early 2025.