Croatia buys French Rafale fighters to replace MiG-21

[Zarvan]

Photo by Nathan Lipscomb

French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation reported that Croatia has placed an order for 12 Rafale fighter aircraft to replace the Soviet-era MiG-21 Fishbed.

As noted by the company, at a 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 and the Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation Eric Trappier signed in Zagreb, with the Croatian Minister of Defense Mario Banozic, two contracts for the acquisition of 12 Rafale fighters and associated logistics support.

The state-to-state contract mainly covers the transfer of 12 Rafale fighters from the French Air Force along 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, over a three-year period.

The selection of the Rafale, announced on May 28, after an international tender involving European and American aircraft, reflects its technological and operational superiority, as well as the excellent work done by the team “France” to consolidate its position in the European air forces.

“I am delighted, on behalf of Dassault Aviation and its partners, to be entering into a relationship of trust with Croatia, a European country, and to be writing a new page for the Rafale, which I am certain will give the Croatian Air Force complete satisfaction, while actively contributing to the exercise of Croatia’s national sovereignty,” said Eric Trappier after the signing ceremony.

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Executive Editor

Croatia buys French Rafale fighters to replace MiG-21 (defence-blog.com)

 

[Imran Khan]

they did not mention price ?

 

[kingQamaR]

French media £1Billion fighter deal to Croatia

 

[thetutle]

They are very nice looking planes. I dont know how god they are, but they look great.

 

[DavidsSling]

French Rafale jets in flight: The Croatian government chose the French jets after a long bidding process that included offers for F-16s from the United States, JAS-39 Gripen planes from Sweden, and used F-16s from Israel. © Aris Messinis, AFP/ File


Croatia on Thursday signed a deal to buy 12 French Rafale fighter jets worth nearly 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) that officials said will considerably strengthen its air force amid lingering tensions in the Balkans.


The contract for the used combat aircraft was signed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Croatia. It was the first visit by France’s head of state to Croatia since it split from the former Yugoslav federation in the 1991-95 war.

“The purchase of the planes strategically is what we see as a game changer for Croatia,” Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at a joint press conference with Macron after the signing ceremony.

“This will not only give us the ability to avert those who have any aspirations toward our territory but also to become the so-called exporters of security … of stability in southeastern Europe,” he said.

Macron said the aircraft deal will strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries and contribute to European defense.

Two Rafales made a low pass over the Croatian capital after the signing ceremony.

The selection of the French aircraft, announced in May, followed a long bidding process that was plagued by delays. Other offers had included new F-16s from the United States, new JAS-39 Gripen planes from Sweden, and used F-16s from Israel.

Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, which makes the Rafale jets, said they “will give the Croatian Air Force complete satisfaction, while actively contributing to the exercise of Croatia’s national sovereignty”.

Croatian officials said earlier that the purchase is worth 999 million euros and will involve 10 single-seater and two 2-seater F3R Rafale twin-engine aircraft. The first six Rafales are scheduled to be delivered in 2024, with the rest due the following year.

The French jets will replace a few still operational Soviet-era MiG-21s — first developed in the 1950s. Most of the MiGs were originally snatched from the Yugoslav military which tried to stop Croatia’s secession from the former Serb-dominated federation.

Croatia, which is a member of NATO and the European Union, is in a mini arms race with neighboring Russian ally Serbia, which has recently received six used MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia and four more of the type from Belarus.

Croatia signs deal to buy 12 French fighter jets during visit by Macron

Croatia on Thursday signed a deal to buy 12 French Rafale fighter jets worth nearly 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) that officials said will considerably strengthen its air force amid lingering tensions…

www.france24.com

 

[Ali_Baba]

A tad suprised that Crotia bought these - Gripens would have been more operating considering their procurement costs and running costs.

 

[thetutle]

A tad suprised that Crotia bought these - Gripens would have been more operating considering their procurement costs and running costs.

This is a two engine aircraft. Apparently thats batter than a single engine Gripen.

 

[Big_bud]

View attachment 797436
French Rafale jets in flight: The Croatian government chose the French jets after a long bidding process that included offers for F-16s from the United States, JAS-39 Gripen planes from Sweden, and used F-16s from Israel. © Aris Messinis, AFP/ File


Croatia on Thursday signed a deal to buy 12 French Rafale fighter jets worth nearly 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) that officials said will considerably strengthen its air force amid lingering tensions in the Balkans.


The contract for the used combat aircraft was signed during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to Croatia. It was the first visit by France’s head of state to Croatia since it split from the former Yugoslav federation in the 1991-95 war.

“The purchase of the planes strategically is what we see as a game changer for Croatia,” Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said at a joint press conference with Macron after the signing ceremony.

“This will not only give us the ability to avert those who have any aspirations toward our territory but also to become the so-called exporters of security … of stability in southeastern Europe,” he said.

Macron said the aircraft deal will strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries and contribute to European defense.

Two Rafales made a low pass over the Croatian capital after the signing ceremony.

The selection of the French aircraft, announced in May, followed a long bidding process that was plagued by delays. Other offers had included new F-16s from the United States, new JAS-39 Gripen planes from Sweden, and used F-16s from Israel.

Eric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation, which makes the Rafale jets, said they “will give the Croatian Air Force complete satisfaction, while actively contributing to the exercise of Croatia’s national sovereignty”.

Croatian officials said earlier that the purchase is worth 999 million euros and will involve 10 single-seater and two 2-seater F3R Rafale twin-engine aircraft. The first six Rafales are scheduled to be delivered in 2024, with the rest due the following year.

The French jets will replace a few still operational Soviet-era MiG-21s — first developed in the 1950s. Most of the MiGs were originally snatched from the Yugoslav military which tried to stop Croatia’s secession from the former Serb-dominated federation.

Croatia, which is a member of NATO and the European Union, is in a mini arms race with neighboring Russian ally Serbia, which has recently received six used MiG-29 fighter jets from Russia and four more of the type from Belarus.

Croatia signs deal to buy 12 French fighter jets during visit by Macron

Croatia on Thursday signed a deal to buy 12 French Rafale fighter jets worth nearly 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) that officials said will considerably strengthen its air force amid lingering tensions…

www.france24.com

Croatian officials said earlier that the purchase is worth 999 million euros and will involve 10 single-seater and two 2-seater F3R Rafale twin-engine aircraft. The first six Rafales are scheduled to be delivered in 2024, with the rest due the following year.

Oh shoot! 12 for 1 billion! Means 83 Million per unit! Means Modi's corruption got exposed big time!

 

[Foinikas]

A tad suprised that Crotia bought these - Gripens would have been more operating considering their procurement costs and running costs.

They would be ok with a squadron of Gripen,but I guess they wanted the Rafale. Both are great aircraft.

 

[Ahmet Pasha]

Mig 21 to Rafale. Big leap. Good for Croatia

 

[Beast]

This is a two engine aircraft. Apparently thats batter than a single engine Gripen.

But more expensive and higher cost which means whether Croatia can really support such procurement in long run? Plus 12 of them seems not enough to cover all their operation needs.

 

[waqasmwi]

Rafale club is increasing day by day

 

[Foinikas]

But more expensive and higher cost which means whether Croatia can really support such procurement in long run? Plus 12 of them seems not enough to cover all their operation needs.

They don't have any operation needs. They don't have any problems with anyone now. Even the Serbs only have some Mig-29s and maybe some Galeb.

 

[Khanate]

Oh shoot! 12 for 1 billion! Means 83 Million per unit! Means Modi's corruption got exposed big time!

IIRC India paid over $120 million per unit.

Modi and his cohort really minted money on the Rafale deal.

 

[thetutle]

IIRC India paid over $120 million per unit.

Modi and his cohort really minted money on the Rafale deal.

Wow, that funny. Or maybe there is the normal price, and then there us the "special price" if you are an Indian.