Croatian and French Rafales exercise together as Croatian aircraft numbers increase
November 27, 2024
Croatia purchased 12 second hand Rafales from the French Air and Space Force in November 2021, and the first six (four single-seat Rafale Cs and two dual-seat Rafale Bs) arrived at Pleso, near Zagreb, on 25 April 2024, after being used for training in France. They were welcomed to their new home by Zoran Milanović, the President of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, the Prime Minister and Ivan Anušić, the Minister of Defence.
The Croatian Rafale squadron undertook a joint MORANE exercise with Armée de l’Air Rafales. MORANE is the French term for what NATO call Agile Combat Employment (ACE), rapidly deploying to austere and unfamiliar air bases to complicate an enemy’s targeting. The exercise allowed the French Rafales to practise a realistic forward deployment to Pleso, and also tested the HRZ’s ability to receive, service, maintain and arm the French Rafales for operational missions.
Rafales from both air forces then flew together, demonstrating and honing their interoperability, and helping to strengthen bilateral defense relations and co-operation between the two countries.
A VIP day on 7 November was hosted by HRZ Commander Major General Michael Križanec, and Brigadier General Jozo Matković the envoy of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia. Guests included Major General Guillaume Thomas, Chief of Staff of the Air Defense and Air Operations Command of the French Air and Space Forces and Fabien Fieschi, the Ambassador of the French Republic to the Republic of Croatia.
General Križanec noted that: “We must not forget that the first Rafales landed in Zagreb only a few months ago. That is why this activity not only demonstrates the willingness, readiness and quality of the training that Croatian airmen have undergone in France, but also testifies to the very strong will and readiness that we will invest in the future in order to be a very powerful air force, ready to defend our country and allies.”
Major General Guillaume Thomas said that he was: “impressed by the capabilities that HRZ has achieved with the Rafales in just a few months. Rafale is a link between our air forces, but not only a technological link, it is also a link in the ability of our airmen to meet, exchange experiences and discuss tactics and procedures related to the use of that aircraft.”
The remaining Croatian Rafales will be delivered in time to form a complete squadron by mid-2025, with one aircraft being delivered each month from December through to April.
