Croatian sky now guarded by Croatian Rafale jets
This is a historic day for Croatia, as the security of our country has been raised to an unprecedented level
Today, on 25 April 2024, in the Colonel Marko Živković barracks in Velika Gorica, a ceremonial welcome was organized for the first six of a total of 12 multirole Rafale fighter jets that will be in operational use in the 191st Fighter Aircraft Squadron of the CAiF 91st wing.
The Rafale fighter jets, four single-seaters and two two-seaters, flown by Croatian pilots flew in from the French Republic, where the training and education of the CAiF flying, aviation-technical and other personnel is carried out, just like the equipping and handover of the aircraft to the Republic of Croatia.
In his address, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, pointed out that it was an honour and a pleasure for him to be here for the arrival of the first six of a total of 12 Rafale jets, and said: “I congratulate everyone who participated in the procurement, which is also the largest investment of the Croatian Armed Forces since the independence of Croatia.
I would also especially like to thank the first Croatian President Franjo Tuđman, the veterans, the families of the fallen veterans and all those who created the Croatian state. The arrival of Rafale enables the protection of our airspace, but also our international positioning.”
At the end, thanking the CAiF members, commanders, pilots and technicians the President of the Croatian Parliament said: “Protect our sky for the benefit of all Croatian citizens.”
On this occasion, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, said: “This is a historic day for Croatia! The first six CRO Rafale multirole fighter aircraft guard the Croatian skies from today. The security of our country has been raised to a level it has never been before. We are proud to realize the biggest investments in the capabilities of the Croatian Army”.
He also pointed out that this is the biggest and most significant day for the Croatian Air Force, remembering the fallen pilots who made a great contribution to the creation of the Croatian Air Force.
“Today, the hearts of all those who made a joint contribution are full. With Rafale fighter aircraft, we are gaining the power of deterrence, we are strengthening our strategic partnership with France, we have joined the Dassault family, which significantly changes our role in NATO and the EU,” said the Prime Minister.
He then thanked everyone who worked on this project in the last eight years, the former Ministers of Defence, the current Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, all CAiF generals, pilots and technicians who in any way contributed to this historic moment for Croatia. “This is an unrepeatable moment for the next 40 or so years,” he said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić welcomed everyone, stressing: “Today our hearts are full of pride because we welcomed our six Rafales. Today we have powerful jets and we are strengthening all branches of the Croatian Armed Forces.
I would like to remind those people who preceded all this today. We proudly remember the first fallen pilots Marko Živković, Mirko Vukušić, Ante Plazibat and Rada Griva, members of the First Independent Aviation Platoon Osijek, who gave their lives for their homeland. Those people were brave, improvised and provided moral support, and helped the fighters in Vukovar,” the Minister pointed out.
Also, Minister Anušić emphasized that today we have aircraft that are the fourth and fifth generation, we have strong and powerful Croatian Armed Forces, we are strengthening not only the air force but also the army and navy.
In closing, he especially thanked the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, without whom this would not have been possible, who understood the needs of the Armed Forces, and emphasized that we are now a strong and powerful regional force. “Pilots, may the dear God protect you in your tasks in protecting the Croatian sky,” Minister Anušić said.
The President of the Republic of Croatia and the Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces, Zoran Milanović, said on this occasion: “This is a great and beautiful day for Croatia. Croatia received a modern air force, French Rafales. I thank and congratulate those who worked on it. They did a good job and there is no dispute. We have more than what we can use. On this beautiful and exciting day, I congratulate all those who participated in this. To those who continue and take responsibility for these expensive, lavish resources that not everyone has, especially not in the region, I call on them to be responsible, protect our sky and their lives and their safety and to be bold, brave and prudent.”
On this occasion, the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, LTG Tihomir Kundid, pointed out that today is the beginning of a new era in the Croatian Air Force, which defines new capabilities in the Air Force and marks the technological development of the Croatian Armed Forces.
“Fighter aircraft are a sign of the power and strength of every air force,” he said and thanked everyone who contributed to the procurement of the Rafale combat aircraft so that today we have such an exponential jump in the air force.
Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Croatia Fabien Guillaume Edmond Fieschi pointed out that the arrival of the first six Rafales is a significant moment for Croatia and France, as well as for the Croatian-French partnership.
“The French-Croatian strategic partnership includes diplomatic, security and cultural cooperation. We are creating a path to a safe Europe. Our Europe must be strong, efficient and proud of its values. This is good news for the European Union and for the Atlantic Alliance and European sovereignty,” Ambassador Fieschi said. In closing, he wished the pilots and our Rafales a happy return home.
Representative of the Dassault Aviation company, Richard Lavaud, said on this occasion: “I am very honoured to be here in Croatia. This contract was signed two years ago, and we trained about sixty Croatian aviators who showed great ability and motivation. Their ability and success is confirmed by the fact that they brought aircraft and that everything was prepared on time. This is part of a strong partnership between our governments. We believe in the continuation of this relationship. We will provide support around aircraft maintenance. We are glad to see a European country using aircraft that are used in Europe.”
Commander of the Croatian Air Force MG Michael Križanec welcomed everyone, especially the pilots who came to Croatia by Rafale jets on this important day for the Croatian Air Force, pointing out: “Arrival of the Rafale jets is the crown of enormous efforts and sacrifices that would not have happened without the Croatian veterans who fought and enabled freedom and today’s modern and strong Croatian Air Force.” He thanked all colleagues, pilots, partners and allies, as well as the youngest, cadet pilots who will continue to build and strengthen Croatian Air Force and guarantee peace. Also, General Križanec expressed gratitude to everyone who believed that huge technological and every other progress would be achieved in Croatian Air Force.
Croatian pilot of the Rafale, after arriving to Croatia, pointed out that this is a moment in which he feels pride, excitement and happiness. He emphasized that the training was very demanding, but it was worth it and it continues, every flight is a new training. He also welcomed the young pilots to the Croatian Air Force.
Historic flight Bordeaux – Pleso
The highlight of the festive program was the landing of six Croatian Rafales. The flight from the French city of Bordeaux to Zagreb lasted about 1 hour and 40 minutes, in the formation of 3×2 aircraft at altitude of 8.5 km.
The Rafale jets entered the airspace of the Republic of Croatia at exactly noon.
After entering Croatia, near Pula, the pilots responded with a greeting message and continued their flight over the island of Cres towards the “Lika” zone, where they formed a formation of 2×3 aircraft and continued their flight towards Zagreb Airport.
Immediately after landing, the Rafale aircraft were ceremonially greeted with water cannons.
The special program continued in a new hangar, part of the newly built and renovated infrastructure of the “Colonel Marko Živković” barracks adapted to the operational use of the Rafale jets.
In addition to active and retired members of the CAiF units and members of the pilots’ families, the President of the Republic of Croatia and Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović, Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, Chief of the CAF General Staff LTG Tihomir Kundid, Commander of the Croatian Air Force MG Michael Križanec, representative of the French Armaments Administration (DGA) LTG Gael Diaz de Tuesta, representative of the Dassault Aviation company Richard Lavaud, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Croatia Fabien Fieschi, representatives of the Croatian and French state institutions, organizational units of the Croatian Armed Forces, associations arising from the Homeland War, Armed forces of France and partner countries, French companies involved in the project, local and regional governments, Croatian university and educational institutions and other guests.
