Croatia signed a deal for the acquisition of 12 second-hand Rafale from France in 2021.
The primary Rafale for the Croatian Air Drive was photographed on Sept. 14, 2023 whereas touchdown at Base aérienne (BA) 113 Saint-Dizier, France. This is without doubt one of the two Rafale B and 10 Rafale C that Croatia purchased in 2021 as a part of a government-to-government cope with France, value 999 million Euro.
The dual-seater plane, whose serial quantity is 171, saved the French plain gray livery, with the addition of the Croatian insignias and a checkered tail just like the one of many MiG-21 that will probably be changed by the Rafale. FlightGlobal stories the aircraft being delivered are round 14 years previous, however have a remaining operational airframe lifetime of roughly 3,800 flight hours every.
In accordance with the data disclosed in 2021, the deliveries have been supposed to start in 2024 with the primary six jets, and the remaining six throughout the next yr 2025. In accordance with FlightGlobal, it seems that first plane deliveries are anticipated late this yr, with eight Rafales scheduled to reach in Croatia throughout 2024 and the rest to observe in early 2025.
A primary cadre of 12 Croatian pilots began coaching on the Rafale at Saint-Dizier earlier this yr, whereas floor personnel and maintainers are coaching at Mont-de-Marsan. The Croatian MoD reported that its pilots begun solo missions on the Rafale in Might. In whole, France will present instruction for round 80 Croatian personnel over a interval of roughly 18 months.
Croatia is the last European operator of the MiG-21 Fishbed, of which solely few are nonetheless operational out of the 12 whole plane in service. The second-hand French jets will permit Croatia to exchange the out of date Soviet-era jet, in what has been outlined as the biggest acquisition program since Croatia’s independence from the previous Yugoslavia.
Stefano D’Urso is a contract journalist and contributor to TheAviationist based mostly in Lecce, Italy. A graduate in Industral Engineering he is additionally finding out to realize a Grasp Diploma in Aerospace Engineering. Digital Warfare, Loitering Munitions and OSINT strategies utilized to the world of army operations and present conflicts are amongst his areas of experience.
