| Croatian Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo | |
 Emblem of the Croatian Air Force | |
| Founded | 12 December 1991; 33 years ago (1991-12-12) |
| Country |  Croatia |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 1,500 |
| Part of | Croatian Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | Pleso Air Base |
| Motto(s) | "They Watch and Sail the Croatian Sky" |
| Anniversaries | December 12th |
| Engagements | |
| Website | vojnipilot |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Major General Michael Križanec |
| Notable commanders | GeneralImra Agotić,Brigadier GeneralRudolf Perešin |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |   |
| Fin flash |  .svg) |
| Flag |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Rafale |
| Helicopter | Mi-171,UH-60,OH-58,Bell 206 |
| Trainer | PC-9,Z 242 |
| Transport | CL-415,AT-802 |
TheCroatian Air Force (Croatian:Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo orHRZ) is theaerial warfarebranch of theCroatian Armed Forces. It is tasked primarily with safeguarding the sovereignty of Croatian airspace and providing aviation support to other branches during joint operations.
The mission of HRZ is to monitor and protect the airspace of theRepublic of Croatia, participate in joint and international NATO/UN/EU-led military operations, and implement operations to provide assistance to civil institutions in the country. Today, the Croatian Air Force has 1,500 members, of which about 200 arepilots.[1] The share of women is 13.44%.[2]
The Croatian Air Force as it is known today was established on 12 December 1991, during theCroatian War of Independence. The cornerstone of the Croatian Air Force was the establishment of an aviation group at the Command of theNational Guard Corps. The basic idea was to gather pilots and other airmen who had left theYugoslav Air Force, to provide professional assistance to the ZNG units, and to create a unified system of ground observation, reporting and air defence of the Republic of Croatia.
On October 17, 1990, an air combat group was formed at theSinj sports airport on Piket as the nucleus of the future Croatian Air Force. It was formed by the pilots of the aero-clubs of Sinj andSplit; Matko Raos, Goran Kovačević, Nediljko Ivačić and Mladen Krstulović, as well as the then secretary of the Secretariat for National Defense of the Municipality of Sinj, Branimir Petričević, and the operator of material and technical means in the same Secretariat, Neven Bazina, formed an air combat group. The commander of this group was Matko Raos, now a retired brigadier. The group expanded and operated independently until April 28, 1991, when they officially received the status of an independent air platoon as part of the newly established 4th Brigade of the Croatian National Guard. Until January 3, 1992, they were part of the 4th Brigade, after which the pilots transferred to the Croatian Air Force, and the paratroopers remained as a sabotage group within the4th Guards Brigade. A total of 24 fighters passed through the Sinj group; 5 were killed, one was missing (fighting on Kupres), two died, and during the war four of them suffered serious wounds. From the beginning of the war until February 7, 1992, the platoon operated with the 4th Guards Brigade, when the first department fell under the Croatian Air Force, and the second remained with the guardsmen. The most important was the independent air platoonOsijek, founded on October 8, 1991 by one of the "fathers" of the Croatian Air Force and a hero of the Homeland War, Marko Živković, who was killed in action on December 2, 1991 with the rest of the aircraft crew. The Independent Air Platoon Osijek supplied weapons and medical supplies to the defenders ofVukovar and carried out attacks on enemy positions during thebattle of Vukovar with improvised bombs (the so-called boiler bomb), inflicting great moral and material losses on theYugoslav People's Army and theSerbian paramilitary formations.
The first combat operations are carried out with ultralight aircraft, which, armed with eight bombs of 3–4 kg caliber, of domestic design, attack from low altitudes at dusk or at night. Combat operations are also carried out byUTVA 75 aircraft, which are armed with fourM79 Osa and various bombs. The attack was done mainly at night, from low altitudes from the direction that is least defended. One of the most significant combat actions of UTVA 75 was the attack on the RTVtransmitter Čelavac, which was temporarily disabled by this attack. UTVA 75 was hit by infantry fire on that occasion, but as there was no significant damage, the pilots safely returned from the mission. Due to the enemy's air defense and the limited capabilities of the aircraft, all flights were carried out up to 50 meters in altitude and in the greatest secrecy. Intensive training and retraining of pilots for theAn-2 aircraft, which will become the basic aircraft of the Croatian Air Force, will soon begin, especially for the transport of the wounded and medical supplies.
Later, as the war progressed,MiG-21 fighter jets,Mi-24 combat helicopters,Mi-8 andMi-17 transport helicopters became part of the Croatian Air Force. Armaments and equipment for the Croatian Air Force were purchased abroad in secret operations – namely, it was forbidden to export weapons to the territory of the former Yugoslavia affected by the war – they were purchased abroad; in the first place, Soviet-made combat aircraft were acquired for the handling of which Croatian pilots and technical personnel were trained during their earlier service in the JNA. The first 3 fighter planes were flown to air bases under the supervision of the Croatian authorities by former JRZ pilots: Danijel Borović, Ivica Ivandić and Ivan Selak.
One source claims that the procurement of aircraft for the Croatian Air Force was carried out throughUkraine. In late 1993 and early 1994, 40 MIG-21 aircraft produced between 1972 and 1980 were acquired from the formerCentral Asian republics of theUSSR, of which 24 were included in the squadrons and 16 were used as spare parts supplies. In mid-1993, 15 Mil Mi-24 fighter helicopters were acquired. Other sources claim that the procurement of weapons and aircraft - including transport helicopters of Soviet origin - was carried out in covert operations through connections inRussia. Part of the dealings was also to man Mi-24combat helicopters with Russian pilots as Croatian Air Force didn't have the capabilities as Yugoslav People's Army before the war didn't have such weapon systems part of it armed forces.[3][4]
During 1995, in the decisive liberation actions of the Croatian Armed Forces, the Croatian Air Force proved that it had become an important combat component of the Croatian Armed Forces. At that time, among other things, airspace protection actions, assault operations and landings of infantry units were carried out
After 2003, a large portion of the fleet was modernised or completely overhauled, and the rest of the outdated fleet was retired. Croatia also acquired new-build transport helicopters, fire-fighting aircraft and basic training aircraft during this time.
Despite initial plans to replace theMiG-21 fleet with amultirole aircraft in 2013 (delayed from 2011 due to the financial crisis) and an official tender having been issued in 2008, ongoing budgetary constraints have resulted in an abandonment of these plans. As a cost-saving measure, a decision was made to again overhaul seven serviceable airframes already in service and supplement them with five additional airframes fromUkrspecexport.[5][6] On August 5, 2024 MiG-21 flew in an honorary flight over theKnin Fortress, as part of the celebration of the 29th anniversary of theOperation Storm, to a well-deserved retirement.[7]Chief of the General Staff Tihomir Kundid said that with this flyover, the MiG-21 goes down in history, and its era ends and a new era of theRafale begins.[8][9]
After more than 10 years in the Croatian service and great success inOperation Storm, the government finally decided to retire a squadron of sevenMi-24V helicopters in 2005 due to a costly modernisation. Plans to sell six Mi-24s toGeorgia had been abandoned by the end of 2006 under political pressure from Russia. Another attempt in 2015 to sell seven Mi-24Vs to the highest bidder failed and the remaining Croatian Hinds ended their life in storage and public display.[10] The role of an armed support helicopter was taken over by newMi-171s but the entire attack helicopter squadron is to be revived in 2015 with the acquisition of up to 16OH-58D.[11]
The helicopter fleet was equipped mainly with Russian-builtMi-17s and its derivates. The fleet included threeMi-8 and 11Mi-8MTV-1 (also known as Mi-17-1V) cargo helicopters, which underwent overhauls between 2003 and 2005. A batch of 6Mi-8MTV-1 underwent an overhaul again in 2013 and 2014, while the remaining 8 units are to follow in 2014 and 2015. TheCroatian Ministry of Defence was considering the option of selling all Mi-8 helicopters upon overhaul and replacing them with up to 15UH-60L after 2017.[11] Croatia had transferred 14 helicopters: twelve Mi-8MTV-1 and two Mi-8T, which were withdrawn from the Armed Forces of Croatia toUkraine as part of military aid in 2023.[12]
The Croatian Air Force operated twoAntonov An-32B tactical transports (built in 1991 and 1993) until 2013. Both aircraft underwent a two-stage modernisation in 2004 and 2007. They were fitted with NATO-standard navigational and communication equipment, additional systems for loading/unloading andflare dispensers. They had performed humanitarian andparatrooper missions as well as supporting Croatia's international military commitments such as forISAF andKFOR. Due to budget limitations both aircraft have been offered for sale.[13] In 2024 both An-32 were donated to Ukraine.[14][15] In the draft of the strategic defence review, the Croatian government announced that no new tactical transport aircraft would be purchased before 2020 leaving Croatia reliant on its NATO partners for fixed-wing transport.
With an ongoing introduction of Rafale fighter aircraft into the Croatian Air Force, temporarily the Rafale will not participate in the NATOQuick Reaction Alert so as not to affect the intensity of pilot training and flight safety. This task will be temporarily carried out from the air bases of neighbouring allied countries Italy and Hungary.Hungary will be tasked in patrolling continental part of the Croatian territory, andItaly on the other hand will be tasked in securing coastal areas of the Croatian territory.[16]
Pilot training is conducted on several types of aircraft. Croatia has ordered tenBell 206B-3, worth $15 million with training and support, for initial-entry helicopter pilot training in its air force in 1996.[17] Since being delivered in 1997 two were lost in accidents. Flight training includes basic, navigation, basic instrument, night, group, advanced instrument, dedicated and basic NVG flying.[18]
During late 2007, five newZlín Z 242L basictrainers were acquired in order to replace a fleet of seven oldUTVA 75s (four had already been retired previously). The deal was worth just under $2 million. An option for three additional basic trainers was considered but has not been exercised.
The backbone of the training fleet, however, is built around 14Pilatus PC-9M advanced trainers which also constitute the most numerous type of aircraft in Croatian service. 3 formerRAAF PC-9A examples were converted to PC-9M standard immediately upon delivery in 1996. 17 more were ordered in 1997 and entered full service a year later.[19] The deal was worth around $100 million. They are also operated by the nationalaerobatic team calledKrila Oluje / Wings of Storm. The fleet size and facilities at Zemunik airbase allow the Croatian Air Force to offer advanced pilot training to other countries but the lack ofHUDs,HOTAS and weapon stations on Croatia's PC-9Ms, however, limits the usefulness of Croatia's advanced training programme.
After ahorrible fire season during the summer of 2007 (12 firefighters lost their lives on a small island ofKornati), Croatia agreed to buy two newCanadair CL-415 and fiveAir Tractor AT-802water bombers. These joined a fleet of four relatively new amphibians already in service. The entire deal was projected at $70 million. By making such an acquisition, Croatia became the leading power in aerial firefighting on theMediterranean in respect to its population and surface. The Croatian Air Force holds a world record of 160 water drops by a single crew on a single day, representing an average of one drop every three minutes for the duration of eight hours.[20]
In 2006, a deal to deliver 10 newMi-171Sh transport-attack helicopters was signed with Russia, itself a partial payment for an oldRussian debt. The order itself was worth $66 million. The new type differs from the ones already in service in having a cargo ramp instead of clamshell doors, larger side doors, flare dispensers, additional armour around the cockpit and cargo compartment,night vision device equipment,door gunner posts,rocket launchers etc. The entire squadron of 10 helicopters entered service by July 2008. Two additional VIP helicopters were planned for 2009 but their acquisition was cancelled. At theKabul air base, members of the Croatian Aviation Advisory Team conducted training and mentoredAfghan helicopter pilots, aviation technicians and flight technicians on the Mi-17 helicopter.[21] Two aircraft were deployed toKosovo, participating in NATO peace-keeping operation. Overhaul of 10 Mi-171Sh was completed in 2017.[22] The Mi-171Sh helicopters will have their resources expire in 2026 and 2027. A big problem is the spare parts for these helicopters and the imminent replacement is necessary.[23]
Croatia received a total of 16OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters from theUS Army in 2016.[24] The donation of the rotorcraft was worth $14.5 million, and covered the acquisition of 16 Kiowa Warrior examples, three simulators and spares. Training of Croatian instructors and maintenance personnel was valued at $3.8 million and provided by certified civilian contractors under US funding.[25] In 2020 Croatian Air Force has achieved full operational capability forAGM-114 Hellfire missiles on its OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters after first ordering the missiles in 2017.[26] During a training flight over theAdriatic Sea in 2020, a Croatian OH-58D struck the water and two pilots lost their lives.[27][28]
Croatia has so far procured a total of fourUH-60M Black Hawk helicopters as part of a project for the equipment of the Croatian Armed Forces, which started in December 2018 in cooperation with theUS government. The first two helicopters were donated by the US government through the allocation of a US$53 million grant.[29] In 2024 Croatia has officially purchased eight additional UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, bringing the country’s Black Hawk fleet total to 12.[30]
Commander of the Croatian Air Force[31]
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Although theMiG-21 was perceived as an outdated fighter by the Croatian Air Force even in the late 1990s, budget constraints have been continuously deferring any final decision on the acquisition of a new fighter type. As Croatia was no longer facing any military threat, serious talks were started with Israeli firms to extensively upgrade the fleet of 24 MiG-21bis/UM fighters to a "Lancer 3" standard instead of buying a completely new combat aircraft.
Although the initial information suggested that such a decision was practically final, no agreement was reached. By late 2002 all 24 MiG-21s were reaching the end of their service lives and it was decided that the fleet be overhauled and lightly upgraded inRomania. A first squadron of 12 aircraft was therefore sent for 10-year life prolongation repair toAerostar after which the second squadron was to follow. But after the first squadron arrived to Croatia, no further moves were made in order to revamp the second squadron.
As the fleet of 12 overhauled MiG-21s was originally planned to remain active only until late 2011, Croatia was eyeing a replacement aircraft already by late 2008. It was projected that a new type be selected by late 2009 and that the first aircraft start entering service by 2011. Such plans were put into question by theglobal economic crisis which severely affected theCroatian economy and in late 2010 it was officially unveiled that no new aircraft were envisaged to enter service.
The Defence Ministry finally announced in June 2013 that the Ukrainian firmUkrspecexport will provide Croatia with 8 single-seat and 4 twin-seat upgraded MiG-21 aircraft. Due to their condition only 7 of these will be refurbished Croatian air frames and the remaining 5 will be used aircraft which are owned by Ukrspecexport. These were to remain in service until the end of 2022 and the decision on the replacement fighter type was to be made by the end of 2019.[33][34]
In July 2017, theCroatian Ministry of Defence announced it had restarted the MiG-21 replacement procurement program, and issued a request for proposals for up to 12 aircraft to five countries: Greece, Israel and the United States for theGeneral Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, Sweden for theSaab JAS 39 Gripen, andSouth Korea for theKAI T-50 Golden Eagle.[35]
In October 2017, the Ministry announced it had received four letters of intent for up to 18 aircraft from the United States, Israel and Greece offering various F-16 variants, as well as Sweden offering an unknown Saab JAS 39 Gripen variant. South Korea did not place a bid in the tender.[36][37]
In November 2017, Croatian media announced the offers fromSweden for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen and Israel for a mixed-fleet ofA/B andC/DGeneral Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants had been downselect from the four received letters of intent.[38] According to reports, the US bid was dismissed for being too expensive, and theF-16 Block 30 offered byGreece was dismissed for being too outdated.[39][40] Further reports insinuate the Israeli offer is leading for being most price-competitive, as well as opening up additional opportunities for defence cooperation.[41]
On 29 March 2018, theCroatian Government unanimously adopted a decision on the procurement of 12 F-16 C/D Barak Block 30 aircraft fromIsrael for 2.9 billionkunas (around 420 millioneuros). Besides 12 jets, the deal included twoflight simulators, training for its pilots and maintenance staff inIsrael, aircraft weapons, a package of spare parts and equipment for ground support, infrastructure construction and adaptation, and three years of support, including the presence of Israeli instructors in Croatia. The first two jets were expected to be delivered in 2020, and the rest by 2022.[42]
On 6 December 2018, Israeli media reported that theTrump administration halted the arms deal citing Israel's refusal to comply with the U.S. arms transfer guidelines.[43] According to the guidelines, all modifications done to the planes need to be removed before the transfer of ownership is completed (i.e., return the jets to factory conditions). Croatian government officials stated that Croatia will only accept planes that were agreed upon in the tender.[44]
On 27 December 2018, theUnited States Congress gave the go ahead to complete the arms deal under the condition that the planes are returned to factory conditions.
On 29 December 2018,Večernji list reported that the Croatian government unofficially bailed out of the tender leaving Israel and the United States to work out their dispute.
On 10 January 2019, it was officially confirmed that the procurement had fallen through.[45][46] The Croatian government announced that it will officially abolish the tender of 14 January 2019.
On 2 April 2020, the revised program to replace MiG-21s was delayed indefinitely due toCOVID-19 pandemic.[47]
In the aftermath ofCroatian parliamentary election of 2020 new-old Plenković led government continued the program. In September of same year the commission dealing with the acquisition had announced that they have received four official offers of acquisition; used IsraeliF-16, used French Dassault Rafale, new F-16V and new SwedishJAS Gripen C/D. Croatian Defence MinisterMario Banožić announced that the final decision will be made by the end of 2020.[48]
In late May 2021 Prime MinisterAndrej Plenković announced the purchase of twelve used FrenchDassault Rafale aircraft to replace its MiG-21 fighters.[49][50] Croatia has begun the process of acquiring 12 multi-role Dassault Rafale fighters (10 single-seat and 2 two-seat aircraft). Prime Minister stated that the purchase will significantly increase the capabilities of the Air Force.[51] The deal is to be worth some €999 million (U.S. $1.2 billion) and, in addition to the aircraft, it will cover weapon systems, spare parts, logistics and training.[52]
Croatia received the first of twelve Dassault Rafale combat aircraft fromFrance on 2 October, during a ceremony at theFrench Air and Space Force (Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace: AAE) base at Mont-de-Marsan.[53] With the MiG-21’s retirement looming, Croatia held a public farewell for its MiGs at Pleso on 25 April 2024, which also included participation from the Rafale.[54]
The MiG-21 will be remembered in Croatia as the backbone of its fighter arm throughout its highly turbulent formative years and eventually for more than three decades. And at the same time, Croatia will go down as the final operator of the MiG-21 in Europe.
| Aircraft | Origin | Type | Variant | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat aircraft | |||||
| Dassault Rafale | France | Multirole | C/B F3-R | 11[72] | 1 on order[73] |
| Helicopters | |||||
| Bell OH-58 | United States | Armed scout | OH-58D(R) | 15[74] | |
| Sikorsky UH-60 | United States | Utility | UH-60M | 4[74] | 8 on order[74] |
| Mil Mi-17 | Russia | Transport | Mi-171Sh | 10[74] | |
| Trainer aircraft | |||||
| Bell 206 | United States | Rotorcraft trainer | 206B-3 | 8[74] | |
| Zlín Z 42 | Czech Republic | Trainer | Z 242L | 4[74] | |
| Pilatus PC-9 | Switzerland | Trainer | PC-9M | 14[74] | |
| Aerial firefighting | |||||
| Air Tractor AT-802 | United States | Fire suppressor | AT-802A/F | 6[74] | |
| Canadair CL-415 | Canada | Water bomber | CL-415 | 6[75] | 2 DHC-515 on order[76] |
Previous notable aircraft operated by the HRZ were theMiG-21,[8]An-32,[15]CL-215,[20]An-2,[77]UTVA 75,[78]Mi-24,[79]Mi-8[80] andMD 500.[81]
| Name | Type | Versions | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meteor | Air-to-air missile | Rafale[82][83] | |
| MICA | Air-to-air missile | RF/EM, IR | Rafale[84] |
| SCALP-EG | Cruise missile | Rafale[1] | |
| AASM Hammer | Air-to-surface missile | Rafale[84] | |
| AGM-114 Hellfire | Air-to-surface missile | M36, R | OH-58D[85] |
| Hydra 70 | Rocket | OH-58D[86] | |
| S-8 | Rocket | Mi-171Sh[87] |
The rank insignia ofcommissioned officers.
| NATO code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Croatian Air Force[88] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | |||||||||||||
| Stožerni general | General zbora | General pukovnik | General bojnik | Brigadni general | Brigadir | Pukovnik | Bojnik | Satnik | Natporučnik | Poručnik | ||||||||||||||
The rank insignia ofnon-commissioned officers andenlisted personnel.
| NATO code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-3 | OR-2 | OR-1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Croatian Air Force[88] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | No insignia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Časnički namjesnik | Stožerni narednik | Nadnarednik | Narednik | Desetnik | Skupnik | Razvodnik | Pozornik | Vojnik | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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