Croatia’s procurement process for 12 Rafale fighter jets was finalized today, with the signing of 2 contracts covering the sale of the aircraft and logistical support.
As we announced at the end of May, Croatia was looking for a replacement for the aging MiG-21s of its Air Force. In a first stage, the Israeli offer for 12 second-hand F-16 C/D Barak fighters had been selected as the preferred one, but the US ended up blocking the purchase, in favor of its own offer for new F-16 Block 70/72, an option considered too expensive by Zagreg.
So a new search process started, and this time, the French option for 12 Rafale F3R (the most modern variant in service) for 999 million euros, ended up winning.
The ceremony attended by the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister of the Croatian Republic, Andrej Plenković, the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, the President and CEO of Dassault Aviation, Eric Trappier and the Croatian Minister of Defense, Mario Banozic took place today in Zagreb; where two contracts for the acquisition of 12 Rafale fighters and associated logistic support were signed.
The State-to-State contract mainly covers the transfer of 12 Rafale fighters from the French Air Force together with their equipment, as well as a training service for the Croatian Air Force. The logistics support contract covers all support resources, including additional spare parts for these aircraft, for a period of three years.
Je viens de signer l'accord d'acquisition du Rafale par la Croatie dans le cadre du déplacement du Président de la République à Zagreb. Un acte fort pour l'Europe de la défense. La Croatie est le 3e pays européen à s’équiper du Rafale (🇫🇷🇬🇷🇭🇷). pic.twitter.com/PVB3VZDkmJ
— Florence Parly (@florence_parly) November 25, 2021
Regarding the future Croatian Rafale, Minister Florence Parly commented:
«These 12 second-hand Rafale sold to Croatia come from the ranks of the French Air Force: they will of course be replaced by new aircraft to be ordered from 2023.»
As was the case with the deal with Greece, the Rafale fighters transferred from French Air and Space Force units will eventually be replaced by new-build aircraft, of the very recent F4 variant, which is currently undergoing its flight test campaign.
