ZAGREB, 20 Feb (Hina) – The tenth multi-role combat aircraft Rafale arrived in Croatia on Thursday, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said on X, while the remaining two out of a total of 12 aircraft contracted with France for over €1 billion are expected to arrive by the end of April.

“With the remaining two Rafales arriving by the end of April, we are strengthening the capabilities of the Croatian Army and the security of the Croatian people,” Anušić wrote.

The procurement of 12 Rafales is one of the largest investments in the Croatian military. The first six aircraft arrived from Bordeaux on 25 April last year. One aircraft arrived in November and another in December, ahead of the 33rd anniversary of the Croatian Air Force. The ninth Rafale arrived at the end of last month.

Facilities have been built at the “Colonel Marko Živković” barracks near Zagreb for simulators, the squadron and aircraft maintenance, as well as a spare parts warehouse and a hangar for aircraft storage.

The contract for the purchase of the Rafales between Croatia and France was signed in November 2021, with €1.13 billion allocated from the state budget over the period 2021 to 2026.