Croatia has received its twelfth Rafale combat aircraft from Dassault, completing the 2021 sale with the French manufacturer.
The final delivery was made exactly one year after the first six were handed over to the Croatian Air Force.
The fighter jet landed at the Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb, ahead of its integration with the 91st Wing’s 194th Fighter Squadron.
All 12 Rafale fighters will serve as the backbone of the air force, replacing the fleet’s MiG-21 supersonic jets in service since 1991.
“Today we conclude a project that has strategically transformed the Croatian Air Force. This squadron is not just about military capability – it sends a clear message that the Croatian Army and Air Force are committed to safeguarding the security of our citizens with modern fighter jets,” said Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić.
Anušić added that the ministry is investing around three billion euros alongside the Croatian Government into the continued modernization of the armed forces.
Croatia’s Modernization Effort
Croatia has now spent 2% of its GDP for defense in 2025, and is aiming to reach 2.5% in 2027.
The country seeks to ultimately increase it to 3% in the coming years.
Some of the country’s recent projects pushing for newer equipment include last year’s $95-million drone deal with Turkish company Bayraktar, as well as the commissioning of a new Omiš-class coastal patrol ship for the Croatian Navy back in January.
The Dassault Rafale
Dassault’s Rafale is a twin-engine multirole fighter aircraft designed to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, and other defense and deterrence roles.
It has a climb rate of 60,000 feet per minute (305 meters per second) and can fly as fast as Mach 1 (2,223 kilometers/1,381 miles per hour). It also has a combat range of 1,150 miles (1,850 kilometers).
The aircraft can be fitted with air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, as well as hypersonic nuclear missiles for nuclear deterrence.
