RAMSTEIN, Germany – Croatia’s Air Force receives first Dassault Rafale fighter jets as the Ally enhances defensive and offensive capabilities and aligning its air force to NATO standards, strengthening the country’s role within the alliance.
The Rafale program replaces the MiG-21, which has a significant place in the history of the Croatian Air Force. During the Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995), the MiG-21 played a vital role in establishing Croatia's new air force. At the beginning of the conflict, Croatia had no official air force, but as the war progressed, several MiG-21s were acquisitioned.
The MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft designed by the Soviet Union’s Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau. Known by its NATO reporting name Fishbed, it is one of the most iconic and widely produced fighter aircraft in history. Introduced in 1959, the MiG-21 became the first successful combination of a fighter and interceptor in a single platform. Developed during the Cold War to provide the Warsaw Pact nations with a cost-effective, reliable, and fast jet that could engage Western fighters.
The first Rafales arrived in Croatia in April 2024 enhancing Croatia’s defensive and offensive capabilities. Photo courtesy of the Croatian Air Force
The retirement of the MiG-21s and procurement of the Rafale matches with Croatia's broader efforts to modernize its air force. Photo courtesy of the Croatian Air Force
As the Croatian Air Force's capabilities modernize, the MiG-21s remains a symbol of resilience and ingenuity in Croatia's military history. Photo courtesy of the Croatian Air Force
The versatile jets, known for their speed and agility, became symbols of Croatia's determination and resilience. Pilots like Rudolf Perešin, who famously defected from the Yugoslav Air Force in October 1991 with his MiG-21R, elevated the aircraft to iconic status in the nation's collective memory.
Croatian MiG-21s were used for reconnaissance, air superiority missions, and close air support operations, despite limited resources and spare parts. Following the war, Croatia continued to use the MiG-21 as its primary fighter jet. The fleet underwent upgrades in the early 2000s to extend their operational life and improve avionics, enabling them to meet NATO interoperability standards after Croatia joined the alliance in 2009.
The aging airframes and limitations of the MiG-21 gradually became apparent, leading to the decision to retire them. By the end of 2024, the MiG-21 will be retired from the operational use in the Croatian Air Force, marking the end of an era, but it remains a symbol of resilience and ingenuity in Croatia's military history.
The retirement of the MiG-21s matches with Croatia's broader efforts to modernize its air force. In 2022, the Croatian government finalized a deal to purchase 12 Dassault Rafale fighter jets from France. These state-of-the-art aircraft are equipped with advanced avionics, weapons systems, and NATO interoperability, representing a significant leap forward in Croatia’s military capabilities.
The first Rafales arrived in April 2024, with the complete fleet operational in 2025. The transition not only enhances Croatia’s defensive and offensive capabilities but also aligns its air force with NATO standards, strengthening the country’s role within the alliance. Awaiting the arrival of the new jets, Croatia’s airspace protection (Air Policing) will be supported, under NATO agreements, by Italian and Hungarian Air Forces. This interim arrangement will allow the Croatian Air Force to focus on training for the newly acquired Dassault Rafale fleet.