“Croatian Skies Transformed: The Rafale’s Debut in the Air Force”
Following the procurement of 12 Rafale aircraft from the French Air and Space Force in November 2021, the inaugural six Rafale jets of the Croatian Air Force – Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo i protuzračna obrana (HRZ i PZO) – operated by pilots trained in France, have arrived today at the 91 operational base, situated near Zagreb. They were greeted by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, the Prime Minister, Andrej Plenković, and the Minister of Defense, Ivan Anušić, during a formal ceremony.
Transported from the Dassault Aviation facility in Mérignac, these six Rafale aircraft will be integrated into the 191 Squadron of the Croatian Air Force. Additional Rafale jets are expected to arrive starting late 2024, aiming to establish a complete squadron by mid-2025.
“The proficiency with which the Croatian Air Force executed this initial ferry operation showcases the high caliber of its pilots and personnel and compellingly demonstrates the strong ties between Croatia and France. Dassault Aviation is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring the seamless integration and logistical support of the Rafale into the Croatian Air Force, which will play a vital role in safeguarding Croatia’s sovereignty and empowering it to effectively execute its operational missions within NATO,” stated Éric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.
