Prime Minister Plenković, Ministers Anušić and Medved viewed the hangar’s construction for the upcoming Rafales
According to Minister Anušić, the project of equipping the Croatian Armed Forces with Rafale multi-purpose combat aircraft is a symbol of strengthening defence capabilities and an investment in our country’s a safer future
On Monday, 11 December 2023, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, along with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian War Veterans Tomo Medved, Chief of the CAF General Staff Admiral Robert Hranj, Head of the Office of the Prime Minister Zvonimir Frka-Petešić, and their associates, visited the construction site of new infrastructure for multi-purpose combat aircraft at the Colonel Marko Živković Barracks.
Minister Ivan Anušić expressed his satisfaction with the successful implementation of one of the most significant infrastructure projects for the Croatian Air Force and the Croatian Armed Forces. He also noted that the hangars were constructed to provide world-class working conditions for Air Force personnel.
“This project will be completed on schedule, and it will have been set up for the arrival of the Rafales in 2024. “It reaffirmed that the Ministry of Defence and the Government of the Republic of Croatia are effectively managing major equipment and modernization projects that will strengthen the overall combat power of the CAF and the Croatian Air Force. This is achieved through a comprehensive approach that includes the procurement of funds, the construction of supporting infrastructure, and the training of Croatian Air Force personnel. By building these hangars and purchasing the Rafale multi-purpose combat aircraft, we are investing in a safer future for our country and strengthening overall defence capabilities,” said the minister.
Minister Medved extended his congratulations to all those involved in the project, including the Chief of the General Staff, the Commander of the Croatian Air Force, and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Anušić. “We are looking forward to the arrival of the first Rafales in Croatia in the first half of 2024.”
“The first Bradley fighting vehicles have arrived in the Republic of Croatia, coinciding with the preparations for the arrival of the first Rafales.” Pointing to the current proposal to amend the Act on Service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, he congratulated his colleague Anušić on all significant initiatives, including the one for the extension of the age limit for military personnel to remain in active military service. “This is a strong message from this government, which is aimed at strengthening the defence capabilities of the Republic of Croatia,” said Mr. Medved.
Admiral Robert Hranj, Chief of the CAF General Staff highlighted on this occasion that the extremely challenging and complex project of constructing the infrastructure required for our cutting-edge and powerful fighters is being carried out in line with the scheduled dynamics.
This shows that aircraft alone are insufficient without the necessary infrastructure, technician and pilot training, and radar upgrade, which happens concurrently with training. When all of these projects come together, we will have the capacity to protect and defend the Croatian skies, according to Admiral Hranj.
This time, General Križanec reaffirmed that everything is going as planned and that the dynamics of building the infrastructure to receive the multi-purpose combat aircraft and starting its entry into operational use are going as expected.
“The arrival of the aircraft in the spring of next year should be accompanied by all the facilities necessary for their reception, maintenance, accommodation of personnel, planning, simulator, etc.,” stated General Križanec. Lastly, he expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Defence, the General Staff, and all those involved in the infrastructure building project for the Rafale multi-purpose combat aircraft.
