| Unit Name: | Croatian Air Force |
| Native Name: | Croatian: Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo |
| Country: |  Croatia |
| Type: | Air force |
| Role: | Aerial warfare |
| Size: | 1,310[1] |
| Command Structure: | Croatian Armed Forces |
| Garrison: | Pleso Air Base |
| Garrison Label: | Headquarters |
| Motto: | "They watch and sail the Croatian sky" |
| Anniversaries: | 12 December |
| Battles: | |
| Commander1: | Brigadier General Michael Križanec |
| Notable Commanders: | General Imra Agotić, Brigadier General Rudolf Perešin |
| Identification Symbol Label: | Roundel |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | Fin flash |
| Identification Symbol 3 Label: | Flag |
| Aircraft Fighter: | Rafale |
| Aircraft Helicopter: | Mi-171, UH-60, OH-58, Bell 206 |
| Aircraft Trainer: | Z 242, PC-9 |
| Aircraft Transport: | CL-415, AT-802 |
The Croatian Air Force (Croatian: Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo or HRZ) is a branch of the Croatian Armed Forces whose primary task is to ensure the sovereignty of the airspace of the Republic of Croatia and to provide aviation support to other branches in the implementation of their tasks in joint operations. Until the decision of the Croatian Parliament in 2018, HRZ was the holder and organizer of the integrated air defense system of the Republic of Croatia. Then the Air Defense (PZO) was separated into the Croatian Army.[2]
See main article: History of the Croatian Air Force. The Croatian Air Force as it is known today was established on 12 December 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence. After 2003, a large portion of the fleet was modernised or completely overhauled and the rest of the outdated fleet was retired. Croatia also acquired new-build transport helicopters, fire-fighting aircraft and basic training aircraft during this time. Despite initial plans to replace the MiG-21 fleet with a multirole aircraft in 2013 (delayed from 2011 due to the financial crisis) and an official tender having been issued in 2008, ongoing budgetary constraints have resulted in an abandonment of these plans. As a cost-saving measure, a decision was made to again overhaul seven serviceable airframes already in service and supplement them with five additional airframes from Ukrspecexport.[3] On August 5, 2024 MiG-21 flew in an honorary flight over the Knin Fortress, as part of the celebration of the 29th anniversary of the Operation Storm, to a well-deserved retirement.[4] Chief of the General Staff Tihomir Kundid said that with this flyover, the MiG-21 goes down in history, and its era ends and a new era of the Rafale begins.[5] [6] For a short period Croatian airspace will be covered in cooperation with partner countries, Italy and Hungary.[7]
After more than 10 years in the Croatian service and great success in Operation Storm, the government finally decided to retire a squadron of seven Mi-24V helicopters in 2005 due to a costly modernisation. Six are offered for sale at a price of $83,000 per aircraft, while one was sent to a museum. The role of an armed support helicopter was taken over by new Mi-171s but the entire attack helicopter squadron is to be revived in 2015 with the acquisition of up to 16 OH-58D.[8]
The helicopter fleet was equipped mainly with Russian-built Mi-17s and its derivates. The fleet included three Mi-8 and 11 Mi-8MTV-1 (also known as Mi-17-1V) cargo helicopters, which underwent overhauls between 2003 and 2005. A batch of 6 Mi-8MTV-1 underwent an overhaul again in 2013 and 2014, while the remaining 8 units are to follow in 2014 and 2015. The Croatian Ministry of Defence was considering the option of selling all Mi-8 helicopters upon overhaul and replacing them with up to 15 UH-60L after 2017. Croatia had transferred 14 helicopters: twelve Mi-8MTV-1 and two Mi-8T, which were withdrawn from the Armed Forces of Croatia to Ukraine as part of military aid in 2023.[9]
The Croatian Air Force operated two Antonov An-32B tactical transports (built in 1991 and 1993) until 2013. Both aircraft underwent a two-stage modernisation in 2004 and 2007. They were fitted with NATO-standard navigational and communication equipment, additional systems for loading/unloading and flare dispensers. They had performed humanitarian and paratrooper missions as well as supporting Croatia's international military commitments such as for ISAF and KFOR. Due to budget limitations both aircraft have been offered for sale.[10] In 2024 both An-32 were donated to Ukraine.[11] In the draft of the strategic defence review, the Croatian government announced that no new tactical transport aircraft would be purchased before 2020 leaving Croatia reliant on its NATO partners for fixed-wing transport.
The primary role of the Croatian Air Force is securing the sovereignty of Croatian air space and providing air support to other services during joint operations. Other tasks include providing help in natural, humanitarian and technological disasters, search and rescue operations, and support to other government agencies.
Pilot training is conducted on two types of aircraft. During late 2007, five new Zlín Z 242L basic trainers were acquired in order to replace a fleet of seven old Utva 75s (four had already been retired previously). The deal was worth just under $2 million. An option for three additional basic trainers was considered but has not been exercised.
The backbone of the training fleet, however, is built around 20 Pilatus PC-9M advanced trainers which also constitute the most numerous type of aircraft in Croatian service. These were ordered in 1997 (3 were former RAAF PC-9A examples converted to PC-9M standard immediately upon delivery) and entered full service a year later. The deal was worth around $100 million. They are also operated by the national aerobatic team called Krila Oluje / Wings of Storm. The fleet size and facilities at Zemunik airbase allow the Croatian Air Force to offer advanced pilot training to other countries but the lack of HUDs, HOTAS and weapon stations on Croatia's PC-9Ms, however, limits the usefulness of Croatia's advanced training programme. Such upgrades might be financially plausible once surplus PC-9Ms get sold. Nonetheless, on March 5, 2014, representatives of the Croatian Air Force signed an agreement with their partners from the Royal Air Force of Oman for the future training and education of 16 Omani pilots on the Croatian fleet of Pilatus PC-9Ms. The training itself started on March 10, is planned to be concluded by December 26, 2014, and will see each pilot log 150 flight hours during the ten-month period. As a cost-saving measure, the Croatian government has announced in its long-term defence plan that it plans to downsize the PC-9M fleet to a "suitable level" for the current air force fleet, substantially reduced since the mid-1990s. Consequently, six oldest units are offered for sale while the 14 remaining aircraft are due to remain active and possibly undergo an upgrade.
After a horrible fire season during the summer of 2007 (12 firefighters lost their lives on a small island of Kornati), Croatia agreed to buy two new Canadair CL-415 and five Air Tractor AT-802 water bombers. These joined a fleet of four relatively new amphibians already in service. The entire deal was projected at $70 million. By making such an acquisition, Croatia became the leading power in aerial firefighting on the Mediterranean in respect to its population and surface. The Croatian Air Force holds a world record of 160 water drops by a single crew on a single day, representing an average of one drop every three minutes for the duration of eight hours.[12] In 2006, a deal to deliver 10 new Mi-171Sh transport-attack helicopters was signed with Russia, itself a partial payment for an old Russian debt. The order itself was worth $66 million. The new type differs from the ones already in service in having a cargo ramp instead of clamshell doors, larger side doors, flare dispensers, additional armour around the cockpit and cargo compartment, night vision device equipment, door gunner posts, rocket launchers etc. The entire squadron of 10 helicopters entered service by July 2008. Two additional VIP helicopters were planned for 2009 but their acquisition was cancelled. At the Kabul air base, members of the Croatian Aviation Advisory Team conducted training and mentored Afghan helicopter pilots, aviation technicians and flight technicians on the Mi-17 helicopter.[13] Two aircraft were deployed to Kosovo, participating in NATO peace-keeping operation. Overhaul of 10 Mi-171Sh was completed in 2017.[14]
Croatia received a total of 16 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters from the US Army in 2016.[15] The donation of the rotorcraft was worth $14.5 million, and covered the acquisition of 16 Kiowa Warrior examples, three simulators and spares. Training of Croatian instructors and maintenance personnel was valued at $3.8 million and provided by certified civilian contractors under US funding.[16] In 2020 Croatian Air Force has achieved full operational capability for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles on its OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters after first ordering the missiles in 2017.[17] During a training flight over the Adriatic Sea in 2020, a Croatian OH-58D struck the water and two pilots lost their lives.[18] [19]
Croatia has so far procured a total of four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters as part of a project for the equipment of the Croatian Armed Forces, which started in December 2018 in cooperation with the US government. The first two helicopters were donated by the US government through the allocation of a US$ 53 million grant. Banožić said there were plans to procure another eight Black Hawk helicopters.[20] [21] In 2024 Croatia has officially purchased eight additional UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, bringing the country’s Black Hawk fleet total to 12.[22]
Commanders of the Croatian Air Force since its establishment in 1991:
Although the MiG-21 was perceived as an outdated fighter by the Croatian Air Force even in the late 1990s, budget constraints have been continuously deferring any final decision on the acquisition of a new fighter type. As Croatia was no longer facing any military threat, serious talks were started with Israeli firms to extensively upgrade the fleet of 24 MiG-21bis/UM fighters to a "Lancer 3" standard instead of buying a completely new combat aircraft.
Although the initial information suggested that such a decision was practically final, no agreement was reached. By late 2002 all 24 MiG-21s were reaching the end of their service lives and it was decided that the fleet be overhauled and lightly upgraded in Romania. A first squadron of 12 aircraft was therefore sent for 10-year life prolongation repair to Aerostar after which the second squadron was to follow. But after the first squadron arrived to Croatia, no further moves were made in order to revamp the second squadron.
As the fleet of 12 overhauled MiG-21s was originally planned to remain active only until late 2011, Croatia was eyeing a replacement aircraft already by late 2008. It was projected that a new type be selected by late 2009 and that the first aircraft start entering service by 2011. Such plans were put into question by the global economic crisis which severely affected the Croatian economy and in late 2010 it was officially unveiled that no new aircraft were envisaged to enter service.
The Defence Ministry finally announced in June 2013 that the Ukrainian firm Ukrspecexport will provide Croatia with 8 single-seat and 4 twin-seat upgraded MiG-21 aircraft. Due to their condition only 7 of these will be refurbished Croatian air frames and the remaining 5 will be used aircraft which are owned by Ukrspecexport. These were to remain in service until the end of 2022 and the decision on the replacement fighter type was to be made by the end of 2019.[25] [26]
In July 2017, the Croatian Ministry of Defence announced it had restarted the MiG-21 replacement procurement program, and issued a request for proposals for up to 12 aircraft to five countries: Greece, Israel and the United States for the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, Sweden for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, and South Korea for the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle.[27]
In October 2017, the Ministry announced it had received four letters of intent for up to 18 aircraft from the United States, Israel and Greece offering various F-16 variants, as well as Sweden offering an unknown Saab JAS 39 Gripen variant. South Korea did not place a bid in the tender.[28] [29]
In November 2017, Croatian media announced the offers from Sweden for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen and Israel for a mixed-fleet of A/B and C/D General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants had been downselect from the four received letters of intent.[30] According to reports, the US bid was dismissed for being too expensive, and the F-16 Block 30 offered by Greece was dismissed for being too outdated.[31] [32] Further reports insinuate the Israeli offer is leading for being most price-competitive, as well as opening up additional opportunities for defence cooperation.[33]
On 29 March 2018, the Croatian Government unanimously adopted a decision on the procurement of 12 F-16 C/D Barak Block 30 aircraft from Israel for 2.9 billion kunas (around 420 million euros). Besides 12 jets, the deal included two flight simulators, training for its pilots and maintenance staff in Israel, aircraft weapons, a package of spare parts and equipment for ground support, infrastructure construction and adaptation, and three years of support, including the presence of Israeli instructors in Croatia. The first two jets were expected to be delivered in 2020, and the rest by 2022.[34]
On 6 December 2018, Israeli media reported that the Trump administration halted the arms deal citing Israel's refusal to comply with the U.S. arms transfer guidelines.[35] According to the guidelines, all modifications done to the planes need to be removed before the transfer of ownership is completed (i.e., return the jets to factory conditions). Croatian government officials stated that Croatia will only accept planes that were agreed upon in the tender.[36]
On 27 December 2018, the United States Congress gave the go ahead to complete the arms deal under the condition that the planes are returned to factory conditions.
On 29 December 2018, Večernji list reported that the Croatian government unofficially bailed out of the tender leaving Israel and the United States to work out their dispute.
On 10 January 2019, it was officially confirmed that the procurement had fallen through.[37] [38] The Croatian government announced that it will officially abolish the tender of 14 January 2019.
On 2 April 2020, the revised program to replace MiG-21s was delayed indefinitely due to COVID-19 pandemic.[39]
In the aftermath of Croatian parliamentary election of 2020 new-old Plenković led government continued the program. In September of same year the commission dealing with the acquisition had announced that they have received four official offers of acquisition; used Israeli F-16, used French Dassault Rafale, new F-16V and new Swedish JAS Gripen C/D. Croatian Defence Minister Mario Banožić announced that the final decision will be made by the end of 2020.[40]
In late May 2021 Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced the purchase of twelve used French Dassault Rafale aircraft to replace its MiG-21 fighters.[41] [42] Croatia has begun the process of acquiring 12 multi-role Dassault Rafale fighters (10 single-seat and 2 two-seat aircraft). Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated that the purchase will significantly increase the capabilities of the Air Force.[43] The deal is to be worth some €999 million (U.S. $1.2 billion) and, in addition to the aircraft, it will cover weapon systems, spare parts, logistics and training.[44]
Croatia received the first of twelve Dassault Rafale combat aircraft from France on 2 October, during a ceremony at the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace: AAE) base at Mont-de-Marsan.[45] On 25 April 2024, 6 of the 12 Dassault Rafale fighters landed at Pleso Air Base, marking a great leap in the capabilities of aerial warfare for Croatia.[46]
| Image | Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | |||||||
| Dassault Rafale | France | multirole | C/B F3-R | 6[63] | 6 on order[64] | ||
| Helicopters | |||||||
| Bell OH-58 | United States | armed scout | OH-58D(R) | 15 | |||
| Sikorsky UH-60 | United States | utility | UH-60M | 4 | 8 on order[65] | ||
| Mil Mi-17 | Russia | transport/SAR | Mi-171Sh | 10[66] [67] | |||
| Training aircraft | |||||||
| Bell 206 | United States | rotorcraft trainer | 206B-3 | 8 | |||
| Zlín Z 42 | Czech Republic | trainer | Z 242L | 4 | |||
| Pilatus PC-9 | Switzerland | trainer | PC-9M | 14 | |||
| Aerial firefighting | |||||||
| Air Tractor AT-802 | United States | fire suppressor | AT-802A/F | 6 | |||
| Canadair CL-415 | Canada | water bomber | CL-415 | 6 | 2 DHC-515 on order[68] | ||
| Image | Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | Retired | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 | Soviet Union | fighter | MiG-21bis-D/UMD | 40[69] | Retired on August 5, 2024. | ||
| Canadair CL-215 | Canada | water bomber | CL-215A | 2 | Replaced with CL-415 in 2004.[70] [71] [72] | ||
| Antonov An-32 | Soviet Union | cargo aircraft | An-32B | 2 | Retired in 2014[73] and transferred to Ukraine in 2024. | ||
| Antonov An-2 | Soviet Union | utility aircraft | An-2 | 16 | Used for transport and as improvised bombers at the beginning of the Croatian War of Independence.[74] [75] | ||
| UTVA 75 | Yugoslavia | trainer | 75A21 | 11 | Replaced with Zlín Z 242L in 2007.[76] [77] | ||
| Mil Mi-24 | Soviet Union | attack helicopter | Mi-24D/V | 12 | Retired in 2005 and offered for sale.[78] [79] [80] | ||
| Mil Mi-8 | Soviet Union | transport helicopter | Mi-8MTV-1/T/PS-11 | 36 | 14 were transferred to Ukraine in October 2023.[81] [82] | ||
| MD Helicopters MD 500 | United States | utility helicopter | MD 500D | 4 | Withdrawn from use by 2001.[83] [84] | ||