Croatia receives first batch of French Rafale fighter jets
The Dassault Rafale is a delta-wing agile aircraft with forward canards, which allow for short landing and slower speeds. (Photo: Dassault Aviation)
Croatia will receive a total of 12 used Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft from France by 2025.
France has delivered the first six Rafale fighters to the Croatian Air Force. The jets, four single-seat and two dual-seat, landed at Zagreb on 25 April.
Croatia confirmed the procurement of 12 second-hand French multirole fighters to replace its ageing MiG-21 fleet in May 2021.
In November 2021, a €1.1 billion (US$1.2 billion) contract was signed to procure 12 second-hand fighters comprising 10 single-seat and two dual-seat aircraft. All fighters will be provided with the F3R standard.
Alongside the fighters, the Croatian Air Force will also receive a flight simulator, a basic weapons package, ground and test equipment, spare parts, personnel training and a field support package covering a period of three years and a warranty of 12 months. Deliveries will be set to conclude by the end of next year.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Egypt orders two C-130J Super Hercules]()
Egypt orders two C-130J Super Hercules
The two aircraft may well be the first instalment of up to a dozen replacements for Egypt’s legacy Hercules fleet.
-
![Hungarian Air Force takes ownership of its first C-390 Millennium]()
Hungarian Air Force takes ownership of its first C-390 Millennium
The move makes Hungary the second C-390 operator within the NATO alliance.
-
![Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 ditching kills one crew member]()
Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 ditching kills one crew member
A ditching is a deliberate emergency landing on water, not a crash.
-
![In focus: UK New Medium Helicopter programme down to one bidder]()
In focus: UK New Medium Helicopter programme down to one bidder
The end of the long procurement process could be in sight as both Airbus and Sikorsky pull out over bid criteria.
-
![Norway awards contract for Bell 412 helicopter modification]()
Norway awards contract for Bell 412 helicopter modification
The modifications are intended to upgrade the fleet and extend their active lifespan.
