Croatia acquires French Rafale fighter jets in major arm deal

Croatia received six Rafale fighter jets – the most significant arms shipment it has received from France since its independence war in 1991 Thursday.

Zagreb purchased 12 Rafale fighter jets from France as an initial step toward modernizing its air fleet, which comprises MiGs from the Soviet era.

The former country signed six Rafales into its inventory, marking the initial delivery of this significant agreement.

Numerous soldiers attended the ceremony, including Croatian President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.

According to Plenkovic, this delivery was "the most significant day in recent years to bolster the Croatian air force and military."

"We now possess a deterrent capability that was previously absent," Plenkovic said, adding that this situation changes the country's international position, including in NATO and the European Union."

In 2021, Croatia completed the most substantial arms transaction over the past three decades, totaling $1.3 billion. Croatia, which joined NATO in 2009 and the EU in 2013, selected the French package over proposals from Israel, Sweden and the United States to modernize its army.

Croatia, whose defense spending falls short of NATO projections, has strategically decided to augment its defense spending in response to escalating security concerns and pressures.

Serbia, Croatia's neighbor and regional rival, is believed to be nearing the signing of a contract to acquire Rafale jets from France.

Source: Newsroom