[POSLEDNJA VEST] The first 6 multipurpose Rafal fighter jets were delivered to Croatia

After 35 months from the selection of the type of multipurpose combat aircraft to equip the Croatian Air Force, and after exactly 29 months since the signing of the contract, the first French Rafales were delivered to Croatia today.

After about an hour and forty minutes of flight, the ceremonial welcome of the planes, which took off from the French base in Bordeaux a little before 11 a.m., was held at the “Colonel Marko Živković” barracks in Velika Gorica, and the highest Croatian state and military officials were present. representatives of the French armed forces and the French defense industry.

Half of the contracted fleet flew to Croatia, i.e 6 bursts, 4 single-seaters Rafale EC with registration numbers 150, 151, 152 and 153 and two two-seaters Rafale DC 170 and 171. The Ministry of Defense announced earlier that the remaining six aircraft (single-seaters) will fly to Croatia when the training of the other pilots is completed, which should be realized until the beginning of next year.

The planes were delivered after approx a year and three months of pilot training and slightly more than 17 months since the training of aviation technical personnel began.

It was acquired from France 12 used aircraftit will officially be Rafali on the level F3R, and will join the 191st Fighter Squadron, 91st Brigade (wings, wings) which used Soviet interceptors until now. The base of this unit is Pleso, that is, the military part of the Zagreb airport.

New infrastructure has been provided for the new planes, and it has been officially announced that they will the initial operational capability of the squadron will be achieved already at the end of next year.

Croatia is the second foreign European user of Rafale, Greece already owns 18 aircraft (12 used and 6 new), and more should be delivered this year 6 newly produced copies. In addition, further acquisitions are possible, for now Greek military officials have announced the possible purchase of at least 6 more aircraft.