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Croatian Air Force and Air Defense [HRZ] Modernization

In the beginning of 2002, the MOD signed a contract with Romania for the upgrade and modernization of a MIG 21 fleet. In April 2003, the MOD accepted a US Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for communication, navigation and identification friend or foe (COM/NAV/IFF) equipment, upgrading services support and training support for two Mi-8 helicopters. Contract is fully financed by the US Government FMF granted funds.

The Long Term Development Plan of the Croatian Armed Forces (CAF) for the period 2006-2105 was adopted in the Croatian Parliament on 07 July 2006. This is a document that puts into operation the vision of the Croatian Armed Forces shown in the Strategic Defence Review. The emphasis of equipping in Air Force and Air Defence will be given to a new combat aircraft which will be put into use when the existing aircraft resources expire and a modern radar system. Financial means up to 2.8 billion Kuna over the next ten years were planned to be allocated toward equipping and modernization of the main combat systems in the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence.

• Procurement of modern jet fighters. Croatia plans to modernize its air force by introducing 12 Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). In the competition were Saab Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Lockheed Martin F-16 and RSK MiG-35 Cost of program - 5,000 million Croatian Kuna. Croatia will purchase upgraded Israeli F-16 fighter aircraft, AP reported 28 March 2018.
• Procurement of 10 to 12 Mi-171Sh transport-attack helicopters and all associated spare parts and equipment. Program completed with 10 units delivered by July, 2008. Additional 2 units are planned. Cost of Program - 330 million Croatian Kuna paid in exchange for a Russian debt to Croatia. The MI-171S helicopters that Croatia acquired were part of a program to clear Russia's debt, but the craft would be fully NATO compatible and inter-operable.
• Procurement of five Zlin 242L basic trainers. Program completed with five aircraft delivered in late 2007. Additional units may be acquired. Cost of program - 8 million Croatian Kuna.
• Procurement of two additional Canadair CL-415 fire bombers and five amphibious Air Tractor AT-802A. Program completed with all five AT-802 delivered in 2008 and 2 CL-415 ordered for 2009. Cost of program - 340 million Croatian Kuna. It has to be noted that these procurements were not planned and the funds were allocated from a surplus in the national budget.
• Procurement of 2-3 medium-size cargo aircraft. The details of the program were not initially known, but second-hand aircraft were more probable. Cost of program - unknown.
• Procurement of Advanced short-to-medium range NATO SAM systems and modernization of existing Russian-made 9K38 Igla SAMs. Croatia needs 12 short-to-medium range SAM batteries. Cost of program - 700-850 million Croatian Kuna.
• Modern Radar network. New modern Radar network was put in to use in 2007 - AN/FPS-117 Radar network consisting of 5 radar stations across Croatia. Cost of program - 1,800 million Croatian Kuna, program was initiated in 1998 and paid for by Croatian MOD in 1999.
• Additional programs were also being considered - additional utility, ASW, SAR and police helicopters.
• Modernization costs will total €1,157 million, equivalent to US$396 per Croatian citizen.
• Croatia has also shown an interest in joining NATO’s Strategic Airlift Capability Programme.

Special emphasis was placed on the development of capabilities for the tactical transport of company-level forces within Croatia for anti terrorist operations. This capability will also be available to allow the CAF to participate in various humanitarian and other operations and tasks in support of civil institutions within Croatia and in its immediate surrounding areas. This task can be met with existing fixed wing aircraft and transport helicopters. It is increasingly important that Croatia is capable of deploying on operations outside of national boundaries as part of wider NATO and EU operations. Air transport will therefore be augmented by the acquisition of two additional transport aircraft with medium and long range capability.

Defense Minister of the Republic of Croatia Branko Vukelic said in March 2009 "A military system can not be an isolated island. We can not share the destiny of the country and not bear the burden of a time marked by financial crisis. We will, as everybody else, save very much and behave rationally.... in a situation of global financial crises, it is neither possible nor wise to enter into some major projects that require exceptionally substantial funds. Our dynamics in the process of purchasing fighter airplanes for this year was to continue analyzing what would be best for Croatia and prepare for decisions that could be realized in the following period. Everything we have in our strategic plans will depend on funds, but this year we will not think about projects that could place a strong burden on the government budget."

The US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Croatia of two (2) UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $115 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale October 30, 2019.

The Government of Croatia has requested a possible sale of two (2) UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters in standard USG configuration with designated unique equipment and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE), up to nine (9) each T700-GE-70 ID engines, and up to nine (9) each H-764GU/Embedded Global Positioning/Inertial Navigation (EGI). Also included are Communication Security equipment including an AN/APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponder, AN/ARC-201D RT-1478D, and AN/ARC-231 RT-1808A radios, aircraft warranty, air worthiness support, calibration services, spare and repair parts, support equipment, communication equipment, weapons, ammunition, night vision devices, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training devices, site surveys, tool and test equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally. The sale of these UH-60 helicopters to Croatia will significantly increase its capability to provide troop lift, border security, counterterrorism, medical evacuation, search and rescue, re-supply/external lift, and combat support. These UH-60 helicopters will allow for interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces in rapid response to a variety of missions and quick positioning of troops with minimal helicopter assets.

The US delivered two Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Zagreb’s Franjo Tudman Airport on 03 February 2022. The aircraft were donated to Croatia as part of a military assistance program and arrived amid what some described as an escalating arms race between Serbia and its neighbors. Announcing the delivery, US Chargé d’Affaires Mark Fleming said the Balkan country “has earned a reputation as a committed and capable NATO Ally,” and that the shipment “will further boost the capacities of the Croatian Armed Forces.” The US Embassy in Zagreb estimated the value of the hardware at around $54.8 million, saying it was part of $685 million worth of military assistance received by Croatia from Washington. The donation of the Sikorsky helicopters was announced in 2019 and was followed by Zagreb’s purchase of two additional rotorcraft at an estimated cost of $115 million.