On October 2, 2023, the official ceremony of handing over to the Croatian Air Force the first Dassault Rafale fighter, out of 12 ordered under the 2021 contract, took place at the French Mont-de-Marsan air base. The Rafale B two-seat fighter with the Croatian tail number "170" is a former French Air Force aircraft with the tail number "315".
The first Dassault Rafale fighter received by the Croatian Air Force, out of 12 ordered under the contract in 2021, is a two-seat Rafale B aircraft with the Croatian tail number "170", which is a former aircraft of the French Aerospace Forces. Mont-de-Marsan (France). 02.10.2023 (c) Ministry of Defense of Croatia
Recall that in November 2021, an intergovernmental contract was signed for the purchase by Croatia of 12 multifunctional Dassault Rafale fighters of the F3R modification from the presence of the French Aerospace Forces (ten single-seat Rafale C and two two-seat Rafale B). The contract value is 999 million euros (including VAT). Currently, a second Rafale B aircraft with the Croatian tail number "171" has also been prepared for transfer to Croatia. The transfer of the first six aircraft (including both Rafale B) should be carried out from October at a rate of one aircraft per month, and the first six vehicles should arrive in Croatia in May 2024. After that, in the second half of 2024, at the rate of one aircraft per month, the transfer of the remaining six fighters should be made, which should arrive in Croatia in late 2024 or early 2025. Under the terms of the agreement, 80 Croatian air and ground personnel are undergoing 18-month training in France. Khlovat pilots began flying Rafale aircraft in France in May.
It was reported that the agreement provided for "convenient installment payments." including, in addition to the supply of 12 Rafale aircraft from the presence of the French Aerospace Forces, also a ground simulator, a "basic" (apparently minimal) set of weapons, ground and test equipment, spare parts, training of personnel on the principle of "instructor training", comprehensive support from authorized representatives of manufacturers for a period of three years, and a 12-month warranty for each delivered aircraft, engine and other equipment and spare parts. The purchased Rafale aircraft come from the presence of the French Aerospace Forces, having an age of no more than 10 years. Before delivery, the aircraft are repaired and modified to the F3R standard.
The choice of Rafale aircraft was made by the Croatian government in May 2021 following a long-running tender for the purchase of new fighters to replace the old Soviet-made MiG-21bis fighters in service with the Croatian Air Force, which became infamous after the vicissitudes of repairs in Ukraine. These MiG-21bis should be finally withdrawn from the Croatian Air Force in 2024.
To replace the 12 Rafale fighters sold to Croatia, 12 new-built Rafale F4 aircraft were ordered for the French Aerospace Forces, however, they will be delivered to the Ministry of the Armed Forces of France only in 2026-2027.
The first Dassault Rafale fighter received by the Croatian Air Force, out of 12 ordered under the contract in 2021, is a two-seat Rafale B aircraft with the Croatian tail number "170", which is a former aircraft of the French Aerospace Forces. Mont-de-Marsan (France). 02.10.2023 (c) Ministry of Defense of Croatia
The second Dassault Rafale fighter intended for the Croatian Air Force, out of 12 ordered under the contract in 2021, is a two-seat Rafale B aircraft with the Croatian tail number "171", which is a former French Air Force aircraft with the tail number "318". Saint-Dizier (France), September 2023 (c) bnn.network
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