All 12 Rafales to be in Croatia by the end of April

(Patria) - Croatian Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said yesterday that the modern and well-equipped Croatian Air Force (HRZ) rests on the shoulders of brave pilots from the Homeland War.

On the occasion of marking the 33rd anniversary of the founding of the HRZ, Anušić sent a congratulatory message to its members.

- The modern Croatian Air Force rests on the shoulders of giants, brave and daring pilots who, during the Homeland War, achieved the impossible with their improvisational skills. With agricultural aircraft, they delivered aid to the defenders of Vukovar; they were hope and light in the darkest moments of the bloodiest battle of Vukovar.

That is why, 33 years later, we must remember those brave founders of the Independent Air Unit Osijek. We must also remember the legendary Rudolf Perešin and his courageous feat of flying a MiG-21 aircraft to the right side of history, as well as all the hero pilots who guarded Croatia in its most difficult moments - Anušić added.

He emphasised that the Croatian Air Force today is a modern and well-equipped branch of the Croatian Army.

- Our pilots fly the most modern fighter jets. The procurement of Rafale fighter jets is the largest investment in the Croatian Army, and our Armed Forces have even more historic investments ahead in equipping and modernisation.

In addition to the Rafales, we are equipping our Air Force with Bayraktar unmanned aerial systems, which will enter operational use by the end of September 2025, as well as an additional eight Black Hawk helicopters, in addition to the existing four, which will be delivered to Croatia in 2028. By the end of April next year, all 12 Rafale fighter jets will be in Croatia - Anušić added.