France has delivered the first six Rafale jets to Croatia. The new fighters arrived at the Croatian Air Force base in Zagreb, French aerospace company Dassault Aviation announced on April 25. The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including the President of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić.
These aircraft are part of a deal finalized in November 2021, where Croatia acquired 12 Rafale jets from the French Air and Space Force. This purchase aims to bolster the Croatian military’s strength and its role within NATO. The jets were operated by Croatian pilots who received extensive training in France prior to this event.
Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale jets left from the company’s facility in Mérignac, France, and are now assigned to the 191 Squadron of the Croatian Air Force. The delivery of these jets represents a significant milestone in Croatia’s defense strategy, with additional jets expected to arrive by mid-2025, completing the squadron.
