ZAGREB, 12 Jan (Hina) – NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte began a working visit to Croatia on Monday at the Colonel Marko Živković Barracks at Pleso Airbase, where he inspected the Croatian Air Force’s new equipment alongside Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić and Chief of the General Staff Tihomir Kundid.

Rutte was shown the latest acquisitions, including six of 12 Rafale fighter jets, three Bayraktar drones and a Blackhawk helicopter, assets Plenković said the Croatian Armed Forces had been aiming to obtain for years.

Rutte inquired about adapting the Air Force to the new equipment, how it operates, pilot training and quantities procured.

Kundid highlighted that last year all 12 Rafales were delivered, enabling Croatia to fully assume control of its airspace, and showcased the new Blackhawk helicopter fleet. He stressed the ongoing transition of the Armed Forces from Eastern to Western equipment and technology.

Kundid added that priorities include modernisation, capability development and procurement projects such as new tanks, medium-range air-defence systems and missile systems.

Rutte described the progress as “very impressive”, noting Croatia’s NATO accession in 2009 and calling this a major step for national defence.