Minister Anušić at AIRVG2025: By maintaining capabilities of the Croatian Air Force, we have shown that we are much stronger, powerful and more prepared for all challenges

Today, on 10 May 2025, Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and the Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić and Chief of the CAF General Staff LTG Tihomir Kundid, attended the AIRVG2025 aviation event, which was held at the old terminal of the Franjo Tuđman Airport in Velika Gorica. At this year’s event, the entire squadron of 12 Rafale multi-role combat aircraft of the Croatian Air Force was presented to the public for the first time.

Minister Anušić: Symbolically, for the first time, we are showing the entire squadron of 12 Croatian Rafale fighter jets to the Croatian public

Minister Anušić congratulated the organizers and participants of this already traditional aviation event, as well as the allied countries that participated today in Velika Gorica and demonstrated the ability and knowledge of their pilots and aircraft. “This was a unique opportunity to show what the Croatian Armed Forces have, what the Croatian Air Force has. Everyone had the opportunity to approach the Rafale fighter jets and our pilots, talk to them and see and learn first-hand how it all works and looks, and to make young people interested in the military profession. This is a kind of promotion of the calling of a military pilot, and it is especially symbolic because for the first time we are showing the Croatian public a complete squadron of 12 Croatian Rafale fighter jets,” the Minister said.

Speaking about the ability to retain the air force, which has strategically changed the Croatian Air Force, the Minister pointed out that Croatia was on the verge of losing the air force’s capabilities, but that this capability is now indisputable. “By maintaining this capability, we have not only shown that we are stronger and more powerful, but that we are much more powerful, much stronger and much more prepared for all challenges that will eventually be placed before the Croatian Air Force.”

Rafales to take over the role of protecting Croatian airspace by the end of the year

He added that Air Policing will be carried out by our allied countries within NATO by the end of this year or the beginning of next year, when we plan to fully take over the protection of our skies, which will be guarded by our Rafales: “Rafales are already guarding the Croatian skies, but Air Policing is a relationship that we started with our allies and which should end by the end of the year, when the Rafales will fully take over the protection of our skies.”

The Minister also expressed satisfaction with the Rafale pilot training: “Pilot training is going as planned, everything is as we defined and as we planned. We can witness this every day because pilots are flying all over Croatia.”

Black Hawk helicopter squadron soon to be complete

In the context of the transition from Eastern to Western technology, Minister Anušić said that the Croatian Armed Forces will soon have a complete helicopter squadron. “Contracts have been signed with the United States of America and we expect the delivery of eight Black Hawk helicopters soon. Four helicopters are currently in the Armed Forces, and we will soon have a complete Black Hawk helicopter squadron,” Minister Anušić said.

Croatian Air Force Commander General Križanec: We are showing unity in NATO, we are stronger together

“We are showing unity in NATO, we are stronger together, as our neighbours help us, so we help others,” said the Commander of the Croatian Air Force, Major General Michael Križanec, adding that AIRVG is a significant event for the Croatian Air Force, the goal of which is not only to showcase military aviation, but also aviation in general.

The main coordinator of AIRVG2025 activities in the Croatian Air Force, Colonel Mario Pleša, recalled how exactly ten years ago – in 2015 – an entire squadron of 12 MiG-21 airplanes was presented, and ten years later we are presenting a squadron of 12 Rafale airplanes. “This is a huge technological leap for the Croatian Air Force and the Croatian Army,” he said.

The Mayor of the City of Velika Gorica, Krešimir Ačkar, expressed his satisfaction with the large turnout of participants at AIRVG2025, and especially with the participation of all 12 Rafale airplanes: “AIRVG2025 is becoming a wonderful tradition that will brand Velika Gorica and bring it even greater significance in the field of aviation in general and the Croatian Air Force.”

A rich flight program: Two Rafales, UH-60M Black Hawk and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters and the “Wings of the Storm” aerobatic group delighted many citizens

The flight programme began with a demonstration of the rescue of pilots from UH-60M Black Hawk and OH58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters from the Croatian Air Force. Citizens were most interested in the tactical display of two Croatian Rafale fighter airplanes and the French Rafale aerobatic programme. The rich flight programme included the Zlin 242L airplane and the Bell 206B Jet Range helicopter, which performed a demonstration flight, and at the end of the programme, visitors had the opportunity to see the Hungarian Gripen and the flight programme of the acrobatic group “Wings of Storm”.

Twelve powerful Rafale fighter jets unveiled to the public for the first time

The static display included 12 Rafale multi-role fighter jets, two MiG-21 aircraft, Mi-171Sh helicopters, Black Hawk UH-60M, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior, Bell-206B helicopters, Pilatus PC-9, Zlin 242L aircraft, and Canadair CL-415 and Air Tractor AT-802 firefighting aircraft.

In addition to Croatian aircraft and helicopters, the AIRVG2025 aviation event also featured Rafale Solo Display (RSD) airplane from French Air and Space Forces, Eurofighter Typhoon EF-2000 and JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets from the Italian and Hungarian Air Forces, and aircraft from Austria and Slovenia.

The panel was held “Military pilot – a calling above profession”

As part of the programme, a panel discussion entitled “Military Pilot – A Calling Above Profession” was also held, at which military pilots of the Croatian Air Force and cadets of the Aeronautics Study Programme shared their experiences about the reasons and motives that inspired them to become military pilots.