Croatia begins protecting its airspace with Rafales within the NATO system

English Posted on  —by Carro e motos
Croatia begins to protect its airspace with Rafales within the NATO system
Croatia begins to protect its airspace with Rafales within the NATO system (X @NATO_AIRCOM)

Croatia has started autonomously policing its airspace with Rafale fighters, consolidating its integration into NATO’s Air and Missile Defense system.

The change came into effect on January 1, 2026, after the definitive replacement of the old MiG-21s by the latest-generation French aircraft.

According to NATO, the transition marks a significant step forward in the modernization of the Croatian armed forces and strengthens the country’s contribution to the alliance’s collective defense. The process included pilot training, technical team qualification, and alignment with the operational standards required by the organization.

During the adaptation period, Italy and Hungary provided temporary protection of Croatia’s airspace with Eurofighter Typhoon and Gripen fighters, ensuring continuous coverage until the certification of local crews was completed. Now, Croatia maintains uninterrupted readiness, with aircraft on alert 24 hours a day.

For NATO, the integration of the Rafales strengthens the integrated air defense system by adding a modern, fully interoperable capability. Secretary General Mark Rutte highlighted Croatia’s role in the alliance’s security and praised the country’s full assumption of responsibility for the protection of its own airspace.

Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @NATO_AIRCOM | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team

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