Croatian Air Force And Air Defence

The Croatian Air Force ( or HRZ) is the aerial warfare branch of the Croatian 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 the Republic 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 are pilots. The share of women is 13.44%.

Aviation History

Formation and Croatian War of Independence

The Croatian Air Force as it is known today was established on 12 December 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence. The cornerstone of the Croatian Air Force was the establishment of an aviation group at the Command of the National Guard Corps (ZNG). The basic idea was to gather pilots and other airmen who had left the Yugoslav 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 the Sinj 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 and Split; 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 the 4th 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 platoon Osijek, founded on October 8, 1991 by one of the "fathers" of the Croatian Air Force 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 of Vukovar and carried out attacks on enemy positions during the battle of Vukovar with improvised bombs (the so-called boiler bomb), inflicting great moral and material losses on the Yugoslav People's Army and the Serbian paramilitary formations. Since November 1991, Croatian "twos" had been involved in night bombings of Serb positions, with a total of more than 60 combat sorties.

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 by UTVA 75 aircraft, which are armed with four M79 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 RTV transmitter 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 the An-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 and Mi-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 through Ukraine. In late 1993 and early 1994, 40 MIG-21 aircraft produced between 1972 and 1980 were acquired from the former Central Asian republics of the USSR, 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 in Russia. Part of the dealings was also to man Mi-24 combat 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.

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.

Modernisation with NATO equipment

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 the MiG-21 fleet with a multirole aircraft in 2013 (delayed from 2011 due to the 2008 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 from Ukrspecexport. On August 5, 2024 MiG-21 flew in an honorary flight over the Knin Fortress, as part of the celebration of the 29th anniversary of the Operation Storm, to a well-deserved retirement. 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 the Rafale begins.

After more than 10 years in the Croatian service and great success in Operation Storm, the government finally decided to retire a squadron of seven Mi-24V helicopters in 2005 due to a costly modernisation. Plans to sell six Mi-24s to Georgia 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. The role of an armed support helicopter was taken over by new Mi-171s but the entire attack helicopter squadron is to be revived in 2015 with the acquisition of up to 16 OH-58D.

The helicopter fleet was equipped mainly with Russian-built Mi-17s and its derivates. The fleet included three Mi-8 and 11 Mi-8MTV-1 (also known as Mi-17-1V) cargo helicopters, which underwent overhauls between 2003 and 2005. A batch of 6 Mi-8MTV-1 underwent an overhaul again in 2013 and 2014, while the remaining 8 units are to follow in 2014 and 2015. The Croatian Ministry of Defence was considering the option of selling all Mi-8 helicopters upon overhaul and replacing them with up to 15 UH-60L after 2017. Croatia had transferred 14 helicopters: twelve Mi-8MTV-1 and two Mi-8T, which were withdrawn from the Armed Forces of Croatia to Ukraine as part of military aid in 2023.

The Croatian Air Force operated two Antonov 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 and flare dispensers. They had performed humanitarian and paratrooper missions as well as supporting Croatia's international military commitments such as for ISAF and KFOR. Due to budget limitations both aircraft have been offered for sale. In 2024 both An-32 were donated to Ukraine. 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.

MiG-21 Replacement Acquisition

Although the MiG-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 in Romania. A first squadron of 12 aircraft was therefore sent for 10-year life prolongation repair to Aerostar 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 the 2008 financial crisis which severely affected the Croatian 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 firm Ukrspecexport 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.

2017 program restart

In July 2017, the Croatian 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 the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon, Sweden for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen, and South Korea for the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle.

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.

In November 2017, Croatian media announced the offers from Sweden for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen and Israel for a mixed-fleet of A/B and C/D General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants had been downselect from the four received letters of intent. According to reports, the US bid was dismissed for being too expensive, and the F-16 Block 30 offered by Greece was dismissed for being too outdated. Further reports insinuate the Israeli offer is leading for being most price-competitive, as well as opening up additional opportunities for defence cooperation.

On 29 March 2018, the Croatian Government unanimously adopted a decision on the procurement of 12 F-16 C/D Barak Block 30 aircraft from Israel for 2.9 billion kunas (around 420 million euros). Besides 12 jets, the deal included two flight simulators, training for its pilots and maintenance staff in Israel, 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.

On 6 December 2018, Israeli media reported that the Trump administration halted the arms deal citing Israel's refusal to comply with the U.S. arms transfer guidelines. 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.

On 27 December 2018, the United 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. 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 to COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 program continuation

In the aftermath of Croatian 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 Israeli F-16, used French Dassault Rafale, new F-16V and new Swedish JAS Gripen C/D. Croatian Defence Minister Mario Banožić announced that the final decision will be made by the end of 2020.

In late May 2021 Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced the purchase of twelve used French Dassault Rafale aircraft to replace its MiG-21 fighters. Croatia has begun the process of acquiring twelve multi-role Dassault Rafale fighters (ten single-seat and two two-seat aircraft). Prime Minister stated that the purchase will significantly increase the capabilities of the Air Force. 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.

Croatia received the first of twelve Dassault Rafale combat aircraft from France on 2 October 2023, during a ceremony at the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace: AAE) base at Mont-de-Marsan. 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. 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.

Status

With an ongoing introduction of Rafale fighter aircraft into the Croatian Air Force, temporarily the Rafale will not participate in the NATO Quick 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, and Italy on the other hand will be tasked in securing coastal areas of the Croatian territory.

Pilot training is conducted on several types of aircraft. Croatia has ordered ten Bell 206B-3, worth $15 million with training and support, for initial-entry helicopter pilot training in its air force in 1996. 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.

During late 2007, five new Zlín Z 242L basic trainers were acquired in order to replace a fleet of seven old UTVA 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 14 Pilatus PC-9M advanced trainers which also constitute the most numerous type of aircraft in Croatian service. 3 former RAAF 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. The deal was worth around $100 million. They are also operated by the national aerobatic team called Krila 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 of HUDs, HOTAS and weapon stations on Croatia's PC-9Ms, however, limits the usefulness of Croatia's advanced training programme.

After a horrible fire season during the summer of 2007 (12 firefighters lost their lives on a small island of Kornati), Croatia agreed to buy two new Canadair CL-415 and five Air Tractor AT-802 water 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 the Mediterranean 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.

In 2006, a deal to deliver 10 new Mi-171Sh transport-attack helicopters was signed with Russia, itself a partial payment for an old Russian 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 the Kabul air base, members of

the Croatian Aviation Advisory Team conducted training and mentored Afghan helicopter pilots, aviation technicians and flight technicians on the Mi-17 helicopter. Two aircraft were deployed to Kosovo, participating in NATO peace-keeping operation. Overhaul of 10 Mi-171Sh was completed in 2017. 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.

Croatia received a total of 16 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters from the US Army in 2016. 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. In 2020 Croatian Air Force has achieved full operational capability for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles on its OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters after first ordering the missiles in 2017. During a training flight over the Adriatic Sea in 2020, a Croatian OH-58D struck the water and two pilots lost their lives.

Croatia has so far procured a total of four UH-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 the US government. The first two helicopters were donated by the US government through the allocation of a US$53 million grant. In 2024 Croatia has officially purchased eight additional UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, bringing the country’s Black Hawk fleet total to 12.

Structure

Commander of the Croatian Air Force
* Air Force and Air Defence Command
** 91st Air Force Base in Zagreb
*** Command Company
*** 191st Fighter Aircraft Squadron, flying Dassault Rafale C/B F3-R
*** 194th Multirole Helicopter Squadron, flying UH-60M (94th Air Force Base Lučko)
*** Aeronautical Technical Battalion
** 93rd Air Force Base in Zadar
*** Command Company
*** 395th Transport Helicopter Squadron, flying Mi-171Sh (95th Air Force Base Divulje)
*** 392nd Aircraft Training Squadron, flying PC-9M and Zlín 242L
*** 855th Firefighting Squadron, flying CL-415 and AT-802A/F
*** 393rd Combat Helicopter Squadron, flying OH-58D and Bell 206B-3
*** Aeronautical Technical Battalion
** Airspace Surveillance and Control Battalion, at 91st Air Force Base
*** Airspace Surveillance Center, in Podvornica, reports to NATO's Integrated Air Defence System CAOC Torrejón in Spain
*** Sector Operation Center, in Split to coordinate with the Croatian Coast Guard
*** Mount Sljeme, Borinci, Papuk, Učka and Mount Rota radar posts with AN/FPS-117 radars
*** Radio-technical Maintenance and Support Company, at 91st Air Force Base
** Air Force Training Center ''"Rudolf Perešin"'', at 93rd Air Force Base

Modernisation and procurement programs

*In October 2023, Croatia officially acquired the first aircraft during a ceremony at Mont-de-Marsan Air Base. First 6 Dassault Rafale fighter jets were delivered to Croatia on April 25, 2024. On April 25, 2025, the last Rafale fighter jet arrived, which completed the delivery of all aircraft. Croatia continues its cooperation with Dassault Aviation regarding equipment, upgrades and armaments. Croatian requirements for fighter jets are for two squadrons, one based in Zagreb and one based in Zadar, however beyond current 12 fighter deal it is not clear if Croatia will seek another batch of Rafale aircraft sometime later. In the future, they can be upgraded to levels F4 and F5.
*The French company Defense Conseil International has proposed the establishment of a center for the training of fighter pilots in Croatia. It is planned that the Center will start operating in 2026, and the establishment of the Center would further strengthen the commitment to the Croatian-French strategic partnership and, before the arrival of the Rafale, would ensure the ability to further train pilots and increase visibility in NATO and the European Union, the possibility of contributing to high-visibility joint projects. France would procure training planes, and Croatia would provide the location in Pula. The aircraft on which the training would be carried out would be the Pilatus PC-21.
* In January 2024 the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Croatia of UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment and services for an estimated cost of $500 million. The total value is $273.8 million. The U.S. government has provided $139.4 million in financial assistance, accounting for 51 percent of the funding needed, as a compensation for the Croatian donation of 14 Mi-8 helicopters to Ukraine. The remaining sum will be provided by the Ministry of Defence in the three-year budget period from 2025 to 2027. Letter of Offer and Acceptance was signed on March 13, 2024. Delivery of all 8 Black Hawks is expected during 2028.
* Customers in six European countries (Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) had signed letters of intent for a combined total of 22 DHC-515s. In July 2023, European Union officials floated a proposal for the procurement of 24 DHC-515s. Twelve of the aircraft would be owned by the EU itself, and operated on a pooled basis. The remaining 12 would be utilized by the aforementioned six nations, all of which are EU members, in their own individual national fleets. Negotiations on the contract, which was concluded on March 25, 2024 lasted over four years. Croatia and Greece were first to sign an agreement with the Canadian Commercial Corporation on the purchase of two new DHC-515 that are 100 percent financed by European funds. Two new DHC-515 for Croatia are worth 105 million euros.

Aircraft

Active

Retired

Previous notable aircraft operated by the HRZ were the MiG-21, An-32, CL-215, An-2, UTVA 75, Mi-24, Mi-8 and MD 500.

Munitions

Ranks

Commissioned officer ranks

The rank insignia of commissioned officers.

Other ranks

The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

See also

* Croatian military ranks
* History of Croatian Air Force
* Austro-Hungarian Imperial and Royal Aviation Troops
* Yugoslav Royal Air Force
* Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia
* Croatian Air Force Legion
* Yugoslav Partisan Air Force
* Balkan Air Force
* Yugoslav Air Force

References

Bibliography

* Lisko, T. and Canak, D., Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo u Drugome Svjetskom Ratu (The Croatian Airforce in the Second World War) Zagreb, 1998 .
* Savic, D. and Ciglic, B. Croatian Aces of World War II Osprey Aircraft of the Aces – 49, Oxford, 2002

{{DEFAULTSORT:Croatian Air Force And Defence

Air forces by country
Aviation in Croatia
Military units and formations established in 1991
1991 establishments in Croatia