According to the Croatian Ministry of Defense (MoD), Croatia received the first of 12 Dassault Rafale combat aircraft from France on October 2.
During a ceremony at the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace: AAE) base at Mont-de-Marsan, aircraft tail number 170 was formally handed over to the Croatian MoD.
Mario Banoi, the Croatian defense minister, and other prominent national political and military officials attended the event, which took place about 28 months after Croatia chose 12 Rafales to replace its aging MiG-21s in May 2021. In November 2021, a transaction for EUR1.15 billion (USD1.21 billion) was agreed with, with payments to be made between 2021 and 2026.
The 10 single- and two twin-seat F3-R standard AAE Rafale aircraft are among the 12 excess aircraft. In addition to these aircraft, Croatia is also receiving training, simulators, and other support up until the last quarter of 2026. Deliveries of aircraft are anticipated to be finished in 2025.
