Croatian Air Force and Defense - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Croatian Air Force and Air Defence is a branch of the Croatian Armed Forces

Military of Croatia

Croatian military is officially called Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia and it consists of three branches:* Croatian Army * Croatian Navy...

Aviation history

Some of the first aviation pioneers were from Croatia or of Croatian descent. Faust Vrančić

Faust Vrancic

Fausto Veranzio or Faust Vrančić was a polymath and bishop from the Venetian Republic.-Family history:...

designed and successfully tested the parachute in 1617. First Croat flying in a balloon

Balloon (aircraft)

A balloon is a type of aircraft that remains aloft due to its buoyancy. A balloon travels by moving with the wind. It is distinct from an airship, which is a buoyant aircraft that can be propelled through the air in a controlled manner....

was Krsto Mazarović

Krsto Mazarović

Krsto Mazarović was one of the pioneers of Croatian aviation. He was the first Croat flying in a balloon. His flight took place on December 15, 1789 in Zagreb when he was conducting the first meteorological air pressure measurement in Croatia...

over Zagreb in 1789. David Schwarz

David Schwarz (aviation inventor)

David Schwarz was a Hungarian aviation pioneer of Jewish descent.Schwarz created the first flyable rigid airship. It was also the first airship with an external hull made entirely of metal. He died before he could see it finally fly...

created the first flyable rigid airship

Rigid airship

A rigid airship is a type of airship in which the envelope retained its shape by the use of an internal structural framework rather than by being forced into shape by the pressure of the lifting gas within the envelope as used in blimps and semi-rigid airships.Rigid airships were produced and...

. Slavoljub Eduard Penkala

Slavoljub Eduard Penkala

Slavoljub Eduard Penkala was a naturalized Croatian engineer and inventor of Polish-Jewish ethnicity.Eduard Penkala was born in Liptovský Mikuláš , to Franjo Penkala, who was of Polish Jew heritage, and Maria Penkala , who was of Dutch heritage...

constructed the first Croatian two-seat airplane in 1909 which Dragutin Novak

Dragutin Novak

Dragutin Karlo Novak , was first person in Croatia to make a heavier-than-air flight. He flew a plane constructed by Slavoljub Eduard Penkala, June 22, 1910....

, the first Croatian pilot, used for his first flight. Katarina Matanović-Kulenović

Katarina Matanovic-Kulenovic

Katarina Matanović-Kulenović was the first female Croatian pilot and parachutist.Born near Osijek in 1913, she lived in Zagreb from 1918. She became a graduated pilot in the Yugoslav Royal Air Force in 1936...

was the first female Croatian pilot and parachutist.

The Croatian Air Force as it is known now was established on 12 December 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence

Croatian War of Independence

The Croatian War of Independence was fought from 1991 to 1995 between forces loyal to the government of Croatia—which had declared independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia —and the Serb-controlled Yugoslav People's Army and local Serb forces, with the JNA ending its combat...

. After 2003 almost the whole fleet was modernized or completely overhauled. Croatia is now expecting new helicopters and fighters to enter service in the near future, enabling the military to operate much needed up-to-date technology.

Duties

The primary role of Croatian Air Force and Air Defence is securing sovereignty of Croatian air space and providing air support to other services during joint operations

Joint warfare

Joint warfare is a military doctrine which places priority on the integration of the various service branches of a state's armed forces into one unified command...

. It is a proponent and organizer of the Croatian air defence integrated system. This double role of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence is realized with the following main tasks:

Inspection and control of air space security
Predominance in Croatian air space, over land and sea, with defence and attacks
Providing help in natural, humanitarian and technological disasters
Search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...

operations
Support to control of the proliferation of people and material goods

Commanders

Commanders of the Croatian Air Force since its establishment in 1991:

Imra Agotić
Josip Čuletić
Josip Štimac (2001–2002)
Viktor Koprivnjak (2002–2007)
Vlado Bagarić (2007–present)

Structure

Air Force Command
- Command company
- 91st Air Force Base - Pleso, Zagreb
  - Command company
  - 21st Fighter Squadron - MiG-21bisD/UMD
  - 27th Transport Aircraft Squadron - An-32B
  - 28th Transport Helicopter Squadron - Mi-171Sh
  - Air Force Technical Battalion
- 93rd Air Force Base - Zemunik, Zadar
  - Command company
  - 20th Transport Helicopter Squadron - Mi-8MTV-1
  - 885th Firefighting Squadron - CL-415, AT-802
  - Fixed-Wing Aircraft Squadron - PC-9M, Zlin 242L
  - Helicopter Training Squadron - Bell 206B-3, Mi-8T
  - Air Force Technical Battalion
- Air Surveillance Battalion
- Air Force Training Center

Status

The core of the air force is a squadron of 10 modernized MiG-21bisD/UMD fighters (two single-seaters lost in a mid-air collision on September 23, 2010) which are scheduled to be retired by 2013. In 2003, a minor upgrade and an extensive overhaul was performed in Romania

Romania

Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...

, incorporating some of the elements of the Lancer standard, primarily to make them interoperable with NATO air forces. Their replacement was expected in 2011 when a squadron of new multirole fighters was to have entered service. An official tender calls for 12 aircraft. In late 2007 requests for proposals were issued to the users and manufacturers of the Saab Gripen, F-16, Mirage F-1, Eurofighter and MiG-29. All responded by March 2008 and the final decision was expected in late 2008 or early 2009. The Mirage F1 was not considered a serious contender as it is an obsolete fighter and does not fulfill Croatian AF requirements. However, in November 2008 the Croatian government decided to postpone the tender due to the worldwide economic crisis.

Analysis of technical proposals for multipurpose fighter aircraft were continued in 2009 and 2010. There were presentations held, and MoD continues to gather additional information about the aircraft while preparing feasibility studies for the multipurpose fighter aircraft. Competitors are Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon

Eurofighter Typhoon

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole combat aircraft, designed and built by a consortium of three companies: EADS, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE Systems; working through a holding company, Eurofighter GmbH, which was formed in 1986...

, Dassault Rafale

Dassault Rafale

The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine delta-wing multi-role jet fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Introduced in 2000, the Rafale is being produced both for land-based use with the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations with the French Navy...

, General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and Mikoyan MiG-35

Mikoyan MiG-35

The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology. It is classified as a 4++ generation jet fighter by Mikoyan. The first prototype was a modification of the aircraft that previously served as MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. 10 prototypes have been built so far...

. Final decision on the purchase will be brought by mid-2011. This is considered to be the latest possible date by which time the decision must be made if Croatia wants to maintain its continuous fighter capability.
Pilot training is conducted on two types of aircraft. During late 2007, five new Zlin 242L Aerobatic basic trainers

Trainer (aircraft)

A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate in-flight training of pilots and aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristics and a simplified cockpit arrangement—allows...

were acquired in order to replace seven old Utva 75. The deal was worth just under $2 million. Due to a moderate expansion of the force, three additional Zlins are on option.
The backbone of the training fleet is built around 20 Pilatus PC-9M

Pilatus PC-9

The Pilatus PC-9 is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.-Design and development:...

advanced trainers which also represent the most numerous type of aircraft in Croatian service. These were ordered in 1997 and entered full service a year later. The whole deal was worth around $100 million. They are also operated by the national aerobatic team called Krila Oluje / Wings of Storm

Wings of Storm

Wings of Storm is the aerobatic display team of the Croatian Air Force. The group was officially formed in the spring of 2005, but the group first performed on June 23, 2004 during the European sailing championship hosted that year in Zadar....

.
As Croatia does not plan to obtain lead-in-fighter trainers, the whole fleet is to be modernized around the same time the new fighters enter service. The modernization is expected to include HUDs

Head-Up Display

A head-up display or heads-up display is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints...

, HOTAS

HOTAS

HOTAS, an abbreviation for Hands On Throttle-And-Stick, is the name given to the concept of placing buttons and switches on the throttle stick and flight control stick in an aircraft's cockpit, allowing the pilot to access vital cockpit functions and fly the aircraft without having to remove his...

and possibly the installation of unguided weaponry, in an effort to ease the process of advancing from turboprop trainers to multirole fighters.

Croatian Air Force operates two Antonov An-32B

Antonov An-32

The Antonov An-32 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft.-Design and development:The An-32 is basically a re-engined An-26. The launch customer was the Indian Air Force, which ordered this aircraft partly due to good relations between then USSR leader Leonid Brezhnev and then...

tactical transports which underwent a two-stage modernization in 2004 and 2007. They were fitted with new navigational and communication equipment, additional systems facilitating loading/unloading, flare

Flare (countermeasure)

A flare is an aerial infrared countermeasure to counter an infrared homing surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile. Flares are commonly composed of a pyrotechnic composition based on magnesium or another hot-burning metal, with burning temperature equal to or hotter than engine exhaust...

dispensers etc. However, at least two larger cargo aircraft are needed and are to join or replace Antonovs around 2015. Certain rumours suggest second-hand C-130 Hercules

C-130 Hercules

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...

from USAF. After some delays, on April 20, 2009, one An-32B flew for the first time to a mission to Afghanistan and returned five days later. After that, several successful flights have been made to Baghdad and Kabul.

The helicopter fleet is equipped mainly with Russian-built Mi-17

MI-17

MI-17 can refer to:* Mil Mi-17, Soviet helicopter*M-17...

s and its derivates. The fleet includes three Mi-8

Mil Mi-8

The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....

and 11 Mi-8MTV-1

MI-17

MI-17 can refer to:* Mil Mi-17, Soviet helicopter*M-17...

(also known as Mi-17-1V) cargo helicopters, which underwent an overhaul in 2005 and 2006.

In 2006, a deal to deliver 10 new Mi-171Sh transport-attack helicopters was signed with Russia. This was a part payment for an old debt worth $186 million Russia owed to Croatia. The order itself is worth $66 million. The new type differs from the ones already in service in having a cargo ramp instead of clamshell doors, larger side doors, flare dispensers, additional armor around the cockpit and cargo compartment, night vision device equipment, door gunner posts, rocket launchers etc. The entire squadron of 10 helicopters entered service by July, 2008. Two additional VIP helicopters were planned for 2009 but their acquisition has also been postponed.

After more than 10 years in the Croatian service and great success in Operation Storm

Operation Storm

Operation Storm is the code name given to a large-scale military operation carried out by Croatian Armed Forces, in conjunction with the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to gain back control of parts of Croatia which had been claimed by separatist ethnic Serbs, since early...

, the government finally decided to retire a squadron of seven Mi-24V helicopters in 2005 due to a costly modernization. Six are offered for sale at a price of $83,000 per aircraft, while one was sent to a museum. Plans for a new type of attack helicopter

Attack helicopter

An attack helicopter is a military helicopter with the primary role of an attack aircraft, with the capability of engaging targets on the ground, such as enemy infantry and armored vehicles...

do not exist although these kinds of aircraft are definitely needed. The role of an armed support helicopter was taken over by new Mi-171s. In 2007, Croatia was very near to selling its Mi-24s to Georgia

Georgia (country)

Georgia is a sovereign state in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded to the west by the Black Sea, to the north by Russia, to the southwest by Turkey, to the south by Armenia, and to the southeast by Azerbaijan. The capital of...

but due to Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin served as the second President of the Russian Federation and is the current Prime Minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. He became acting President on 31 December 1999, when...

's disapproval and danger of ruining good relations with Russia, the deal was not finalized.

While visiting Israel

Israel

The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

in November 2006, Croatian delegation agreed to buy two mid-size, state-of-the-art Hermes 450 and four small Skylark UAVs. Additional cameras, computer systems, spare parts and a ground station were also obtained. The Hermes 450s will be used mainly for maritime patrol

Maritime patrol

Maritime patrol is the task of monitoring areas of water. Generally conducted by military and law enforcement agencies, maritime patrol is usually aimed at identifying human activities....

. Two additional Skylark UAVs are to enter service in 2009 and further purchases are expected.

After a horrible fire season during the summer of 2007 (12 firefighters lost their lives on a small island of Kornati), Croatia agreed to buy two new Canadair CL-415

Canadair CL-415

The Bombardier 415 is a Canadian amphibious aircraft purpose-built as a water bomber. It is an aircraft designed and built specifically for aerial firefighting and is based on the company's CL-215 flying boat...

and five Air Tractor AT-802

Air Tractor AT-802

|-Specifications :-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.* Keijsper, Gerard...

water bombers. These will join a fleet of five relatively new amphibians already in service. The entire deal is projected at $70 million. By making such an acquisition, Croatia became the leading power in aerial firefighting on the Mediterranean in respect to its population and surface.

MiG-21 replacement acquisition

Due to the global economic crisis which also affected Croatia, the decision on which fighter type should eventually enter service has been deferred until 2011, rather than by 2009 as was initially planned. This will see new aircraft enter service no sooner than 2012-2013. At the same time, after years of research and discussions, Air Force experts have released the study on new fighter procurement which states that Croatian Air Force needs at least 16 to 18 fighters in order to fulfill all its duties. As an interim solution the possibility of reactivating six to seven MiG-21s (out of 12 stored a few years ago) was mentioned in 2009 by some media. Similarly, there was also the possibility of one additional overhaul to the existing MiGs which was to prolong their life for another five years facilitating thus the burden of the fighter procurement costs on the country's budget. However, this possibility was officially rejected and on April 11, 2011 the Minister of Defence confirmed that Croatia will maintain a fleet of fighter aircraft and that it will not relegate its airspace control to any of the NATO membering countries. He also added that the decision on which aircraft to obtain will be brought in the upcoming months but having in mind not only the needs of the military but also of the entire country's economy.

In March 2011 a new information appeared in the Croatian media citing that Germany was prepared to donate (or sell cheaply) up to 20 of its F-4 Phantom II

F-4 Phantom II

The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...

fighters to Croatia. Soon after, a similar offer was proposed by the Swedish Air Force which is willing to donate a squadron of its second-hand Saab Gripen aircraft free of charge to match German offer. Both proposals along with numerous other possibilities are currently under revision.

Modernization and procurement programs 2007 - 2015

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
Croatian kuna
The kuna is the currency of Croatia since 1994 . It is subdivided into 100 lipa. The kuna is issued by the Croatian National Bank and the coins are minted by the Croatian Monetary Institute....

.

Procurement of two additional Canadair CL-415
Canadair CL-415
The Bombardier 415 is a Canadian amphibious aircraft purpose-built as a water bomber. It is an aircraft designed and built specifically for aerial firefighting and is based on the company's CL-215 flying boat...

fire bombers and five amphibious Air Tractor AT-802
Air Tractor AT-802
|-Specifications :-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.* Keijsper, Gerard...

. Program completed with all five AT-802 delivered in 2008 and 2 CL-415 ordered for 2009. Cost of program - 340 million Croatian Kuna
Croatian kuna
The kuna is the currency of Croatia since 1994 . It is subdivided into 100 lipa. The kuna is issued by the Croatian National Bank and the coins are minted by the Croatian Monetary Institute....

. 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 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
Croatian kuna
The kuna is the currency of Croatia since 1994 . It is subdivided into 100 lipa. The kuna is issued by the Croatian National Bank and the coins are minted by the Croatian Monetary Institute....

paid in exchange for a Russian debt to Croatia.

Procurement of modern jet fighters. Croatia plans to modernize its air force by introducing 12 multirole fighters. In the competition are Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Eurofighter Typhoon
Eurofighter Typhoon
The Eurofighter Typhoon is a twin-engine, canard-delta wing, multirole combat aircraft, designed and built by a consortium of three companies: EADS, Alenia Aeronautica and BAE Systems; working through a holding company, Eurofighter GmbH, which was formed in 1986...

, Dassault Rafale
Dassault Rafale
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine delta-wing multi-role jet fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Introduced in 2000, the Rafale is being produced both for land-based use with the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations with the French Navy...

, General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon and Mikoyan MiG-35
Mikoyan MiG-35
The Mikoyan MiG-35 is a further development of the MiG-29M/M2 and MiG-29K/KUB technology. It is classified as a 4++ generation jet fighter by Mikoyan. The first prototype was a modification of the aircraft that previously served as MiG-29M2 model demonstrator. 10 prototypes have been built so far...

. Cost of program - 5,000 million Croatian Kuna
Croatian kuna
The kuna is the currency of Croatia since 1994 . It is subdivided into 100 lipa. The kuna is issued by the Croatian National Bank and the coins are minted by the Croatian Monetary Institute....

.

Procurement of 2-3 medium-size cargo aircraft. The details of the program are not known yet but second-hand aircraft are more probable. Cost of program - unknown.

Procurement of Advanced short-to-medium range NATO SAM
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...

systems and modernization of existing Russian-made 9K38 Igla SAM
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...

s. Croatia needs 12 short-to-medium range SAM
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...

batteries. Cost of program - 700-850 million Croatian Kuna
Croatian kuna
The kuna is the currency of Croatia since 1994 . It is subdivided into 100 lipa. The kuna is issued by the Croatian National Bank and the coins are minted by the Croatian Monetary Institute....

.

Modern Radar network. New modern Radar network was put in to use in 2007 - AN/FPS-117
AN/FPS-117
The AN/FPS-117 is a phased array, 3-dimensional air search radar. It is produced by the Lockheed Martin corporation from the United States.The system is a low power, long range , L-band pencil beam, solid-state transmitter and beacon interrogator search radar...

Radar network consisting of 5 radar stations across Croatia. Cost of program - 1,800 million Croatian Kuna
Croatian kuna
The kuna is the currency of Croatia since 1994 . It is subdivided into 100 lipa. The kuna is issued by the Croatian National Bank and the coins are minted by the Croatian Monetary Institute....

, program was initiated in 1998 and paid for by Croatian MOD in 1999.

Additional programs are also being considered - additional utility, ASW, SAR and police helicopters.

Modernization costs will total €1,157 million, equivalent to US$396 per Croatian citizen.

Current aircraft inventory

! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Aircraft
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Photo
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Origin
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Type
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Versions
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|In service
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Serial numbers
! style="text-align: left; background: #aacccc;"|Notes
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="8" | Fighter Aircraft
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...

|-----
| Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...

|| || || fighter/interceptor

fighter trainer

fighter/interceptor || MiG-21bisD

MiG-21UMD

MiG-21bis || 6

12 || 115-118, 121, 122

164-167

- || All aircraft produced 1972-1981 and entered service 1992-1994. Eight single seaters and 4 twin-seaters modernized in 2003, two single seaters lost in a training accident. Expected withdrawal in 2013. Additional 12 MiG-21bis are in storage and not currently airworthy.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="8" | Trainer Aircraft
Trainer (aircraft)
A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate in-flight training of pilots and aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristics and a simplified cockpit arrangement—allows...

|-----
| Pilatus PC-9

Pilatus PC-9

The Pilatus PC-9 is a single-engine, low-wing tandem-seat turboprop training aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland.-Design and development:...

|| || || advanced trainer || PC-9M || 3

17 || 051-053

054-070 || Three second-hand PC-9/A acquired from RAAF

Royal Australian Air Force

The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...

in 1997, modernised to PC-9M. All PC-9M's are produced in 1997 and enetered full service in 1998.
|-----
| Zlin 242 ||

|| || basic trainer || 242L Aerobatic || 5 || 401-405 || All aircraft produced and entered service in late 2007.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="8" | Aerial Firefighting Aircraft
Aerial firefighting
Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing...

|-----
| Air Tractor AT-802

Air Tractor AT-802

|| || || firefighting, coastal patrol || AT-802F

AT-802AF

AT-802 || 1

4 || 890

896

892-895 || All aircraft (except one) produced and entered service in 2008.
|-----
| Canadair CL-415

Canadair CL-415

|| || || firefighting || CL-415 || 6 || 811, 844-888 || Aircraft acquired new in 4 batches from 1999 till 2010.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="8" | Transport
Airlift
Airlift is the act of transporting people or cargo from point to point using aircraft.Airlift may also refer to:*Airlift , a suction device for moving sand and silt underwater-See also:...

and Liaison Aircraft
Liaison aircraft
A liaison aircraft is a small, usually unarmed aircraft primarily used by military forces for artillery observation or transporting commanders and messages. The concept developed before World War II and included also battlefield reconnaissance, air ambulance, column control, light cargo delivery...

|-----
| Antonov An-32

Antonov An-32

|| || || tactical transport || An-32B || 2 || 707, 727 || Both aircraft produced in 1992 and entered service in 1996. Modernized in two stages, in 2004 and again in 2007.
|-----
| Bombardier Challenger 600

Bombardier Challenger 600

The Bombardier Challenger 600 series is a family of business jets designed by Bill Lear and produced first by Canadair until that company was bought by Bombardier Aerospace in 1986.-Development:...

|| || || VIP transport || CL-604 || 1 || 9A-CRO || Government aircraft on civilian register, used also for urgent medical transport.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="8" | UAV's
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...

|-----
| Elbit Skylark

Elbit Skylark

Elbit Systems Skylark I and Skylark II are small unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Elbit Systems.-Skylark I:Skylark I is a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle. It is designed as a manpacked system for tactical surveillance and reconnaissance. Skylark is launched by hand. The payload consists of...

|| || || reconnaissance || Skylark I || 6 || - || Acquired in 2007 and 2008, more to be ordered, used by the Army.
|-----
| Elbit Hermes 450

Elbit Hermes 450

-Operators: *In June 2008, Azerbaijan ordered ten Hermes 450, choosing it over other drone models because of its "'invisibility' for the enemy's anti-aircraft defense." On September 12, 2011, a UAV was reportedly shot down by the air defense arm of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army over the...

|| || || reconnaissance || Hermes 450 || 2 || - || Acquired in 2007.
|-----
! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="8" | Transport and Utility Helicopters
|----5
| Mil Mi-17

Mil Mi-17

The Mil Mi-17 is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude...

|| || || combat-support helicopter

transport helicopter || Mi-171Sh

Mi-17-1V || 10

12 || 220-229

201, 202, 204, 206, 207, 210-213, 215, 251, 254 || Acquired new and entered service in 2008, aka Mi-8AMTSh.

Most units acquired new 1992-1994, aka Mi-8MTV-1.
|-----
| Mil Mi-8

Mil Mi-8

|| || || transport helicopter || Mi-8T || 3 || 274-276 || Utility transport variant.
|-----
| Bell 206

Bell 206

The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...

|| || || training helicopter, light utility || 206B-3 || 8 || 602-608, 610 || Entered service in 1997.

Aircraft that have been retired

20 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...

- used for spare parts
2 Soko G-2 Galeb
Soko G-2
The SOKO G-2 Galeb is a two-seat, single engine, jet trainer and ground-attack aircraft developed in Yugoslavia.-Design and development:Yugoslavia's VTI began design work on the airplane, named Galeb, in 1957...

- retired in 1996 due to the lack of spare parts
1 Soko J-21 Jastreb
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

- retired in 1996 due to the lack of spare parts
1 Soko J-20 Kraguj
Soko J-20 Kraguj
|-See also:-References:* Taylor,John W.R. . Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969-70. London: Sampson Low,1969.-External links:* *...

- retired due to overall obsolescence in 1996
1 Lola Utva 60
UTVA-60
|-See also:-References:* Donald, David The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Leicester, UK: Blitz Editions, 1997. ISBN 1-85605-375-X.* Grandolini, Albert. "L'Aviation Royale Khmere: The first 15 years of Cambodian military aviation". Air Enthusiast, Thirty-seven, September-December 1988. Bromley,...

- retired in 90's
4 Lola Utva 66
Utva 66
-External links:**...

- retired in 90's
11 Lola Utva 75
Lola Utva 75
|-See also:-External links:*...

- put out of service recently, replaced by Zlin 242L
3 Canadair CL-215 Scooper
Canadair CL-215
The Canadair CL-215 was the first model in a series of firefighting flying boat amphibious aircraft built by Canadair and later Bombardier. The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft designed to operate well at low speed and in gust-loading circumstances, as are found over forest fires...

- last retired in 2004, replaced by Canadair CL-415 Superscooper
Canadair CL-415
The Bombardier 415 is a Canadian amphibious aircraft purpose-built as a water bomber. It is an aircraft designed and built specifically for aerial firefighting and is based on the company's CL-215 flying boat...
2 Air Tractor AT-400
Air Tractor AT-400
|- See also :- References :NotesBibliography...

- retired in 1993
1 Dornier Do 28
Dornier Do 28
The Dornier Do 28 Skyservant is a twin-engine STOL utility aircraft, manufactured by Dornier Flugzeugbau GmbH. It served with the Luftwaffe and Marineflieger and other air forces around the world in the communications and utility role....

- retired in 2004
1 Dassault Falcon 10
Dassault Falcon 10
|-See also:-References:*...

- replaced by Bombardier Challenger
Bombardier Challenger
The Challenger is a family of mid-sized business jets produced by Canadair, and later by Bombardier Aerospace.Aircraft include:* Bombardier Challenger 600 the original series; includes the CL-600, CL-601, CL-604, and CL-605...
11 Antonov An-2
Antonov An-2
The Antonov An-2 is a single-engine biplane utility/agricultural aircraft designed in the USSR in 1946...

- handed over to aeroclubs throughout the years, some can be called into service
4 Cessna 172
Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...

- retired in 1997
2 Cessna A.188B Agwagon - retired in 1992
1 Cessna T.210N Centurion
Cessna 210
The Cessna 210 Centurion is a six-seat, high-performance, retractable-gear single-engine general aviation aircraft which was first flown in January 1957 and produced by Cessna until 1985.-Design and development:...

- retired in 2004
4 Piper PA-18 Super Cub - retired in 1996
2 Piper PA-25-235 Brave
Piper PA-25 Pawnee
The PA-25 Pawnee was an agricultural aircraft produced by Piper Aircraft between 1959 and 1982. It remains a widely used aircraft in agricultural spraying and is also used as a tow plane, or tug, for launching gliders or for towing banners. On April 15, 1998, The New Piper Aircraft, Inc....

- retired in 1992
3 Piper PA-28 Warrior - retired in 1997
1 Piper PA-31P
Piper PA-31 Navajo
The Piper PA-31 Navajo is a family of cabin-class, twin-engine aircraft designed and built by Piper Aircraft for the general aviation market, most using Lycoming engines. It was also licence-built in a number of Latin American countries. Targeted at small-scale cargo and feeder liner operations and...

- retired in 2005
2 Piper PA-36 Pawnee Brave
Piper PA-36 Pawnee Brave
|-See also:...

- retired in 1992
2 PZL M-18 Dromader - retired in 1992
9 Mil Mi-24D/V
Mil Mi-24
The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...

- withdrawn in 2002 (Mi-24D) and 2005 (Mi-24V), 6 up for sale
7 Mil Mi-8T/S
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....

- used for spares
3 Agusta Bell 212 - transferred to the Croatian Police
4 MD Helicopters MD 500
MD Helicopters MD 500
The MD Helicopters MD 500 series is an American family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The MD 500 was developed from the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach...

- last retired in 2001, replaced by Bell 206
Bell 206
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- or twin-engine helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter program, the 206 failed to be selected...
1 Agusta-Bell AB.47J-2A
Bell 47
The Bell 47 is a two-bladed, single engine, light helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopter. Based on the third Model 30 prototype, Bell's first helicopter designed by Arthur M. Young, the Bell 47 became the first helicopter certified for civilian use on 8 March 1946...

- returned to museum in 1992

Aircraft lost in combat and accidents

Antonov An-2

The Antonov An-2 is a single-engine biplane utility/agricultural aircraft designed in the USSR in 1946...

YU-BKB crashed on 9 November 1991 (take-off accident)
YU-BOP downed 2 December 1991 (SA-6), pilots Marko Živković and Mirko Vukušić, parachutists Ante Plazibat and Rade Griva killed
YU-BOF crashed 26 January 1992 (training accident), pilots Branko Fridel, Bojan Vojvoda, Mladen Škalica, mechanic Boris Kekez and parachutist Davor Šabić killed

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21

101 downed 24 June 1992 (friendly fire SA-14), pilot Antun Radoš killed
103 downed 14 September 1993 (SA-7), over Gvozd
Gvozd
Gvozd is a town and a municipality in Sisak-Moslavina County, Croatia. It is part of Kordun.- History :...

(then Vrginmost), pilot Miroslav Peris killed
104 crashed on 21 April 1995 (tree accident), pilot Zlatko Mejaški killed
119 downed 2 May 1995 (20/3 mm AA gun), over Stara Gradiška
Stara Gradiška
Stara Gradiška is a village and a municipality in the Brod-Posavina county of Croatia. It has 542 residents, while the municipality has 1,717 , in six other smaller villages...

, pilot Rudolf Perešin
Rudolf Perešin
Rudolf Perešin , a Croatian fighter pilot in the Yugoslav People's Army , defected from Željava Air Base to Klagenfurt, Austria in 1991, during a reconnaissance flight because he wanted to help his homeland Croatia during the Croatian War of Independence. He was the first pilot to desert from the JNA...

killed
109 crashed on 14 August 1996 (lost orientation), pilot Ivan Bosnar killed
108 and 120 crashed near Slunj on 23 September 2010 after a collision over Vukelići village, both pilots ejected safely

Air Tractor AT-802

891 crashed on 2 September 2004 (tree accident)

Mil Mi-8

HT-40 downed 4 November 1991 (friendly fire), Lučko Airport
H-208 crashed on 26 February 1993
H-209 burned at ground 4 December 1994 (Lučko Airport)
H-205 crashed on 22 November 1995 (freezing of the rotor)
H-253 crashed on 18 September 1997 (lost orientation)
H-207 crashed on 20 July 2004 (taxi accident)
H-214 (new H-253) crashed on 10 July 2007 (technical failure), Juraj Ruškač, Vjekoslav Ljubo and Ljubica Perišić killed on ground

Mil Mi-24

The Mil Mi-24 is a large helicopter gunship and attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for 8 passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated since 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and by over thirty other nations.In NATO circles the export...

H-309 accident on 10 June 1995 (weather conditions/stall), destroyed on the ground to avoid capture

MD Helicopters MD 500

The MD Helicopters MD 500 series is an American family of light utility civilian and military helicopters. The MD 500 was developed from the Hughes 500, a civilian version of the US Army's OH-6A Cayuse/Loach...

one lost in transport on January 1994 (hooked under Mi-8
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....

)

Bell 206

H-601 crashed on 16 October 1997 (accident at hover)
H-609 crashed on 12 February 1998 (pilot error), killed Šime Ražnjević on ground

Enemy aircraft destroyed by the Croatian Air Force and Defence

MiG-21, 1991, Đakovo
G-2
Soko G-2
The SOKO G-2 Galeb is a two-seat, single engine, jet trainer and ground-attack aircraft developed in Yugoslavia.-Design and development:Yugoslavia's VTI began design work on the airplane, named Galeb, in 1957...

, 5 August 1991, Zadar
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 24256, 24 August 1991, Vukovar/Bršadin
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 24 August 1991, Bogdanovci
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 7 September 1991, Bršadin
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 7 September 1991, Vukovar
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 24136, 16 September 1991, Osijek/Donji Miholjac
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 24116, 17 September 1991, Tenja
G-4, 23603, 17 September 1991, Vukovar/Sarvaš
MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...

, 17109, 18 September 1991, Ogulin
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 18 September 1991, Rogoznica
MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...

, 18 September 1991, Petrinja
J-22
Soko J-22 Orao
The Soko J-22 Orao is a twin-engined, subsonic, close support, ground-attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft, with secondary capability as a low level interceptor. It was designed as a single-seat main attack version or as a combat capable two-seat version for advanced flying and weapon...

, 25508, 19 September 1991, Đakovo
J-22
Soko J-22 Orao
The Soko J-22 Orao is a twin-engined, subsonic, close support, ground-attack and tactical reconnaissance aircraft, with secondary capability as a low level interceptor. It was designed as a single-seat main attack version or as a combat capable two-seat version for advanced flying and weapon...

, 19 September 1991, Novska
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 20 September 1991, Šibenik
G-2
Soko G-2
The SOKO G-2 Galeb is a two-seat, single engine, jet trainer and ground-attack aircraft developed in Yugoslavia.-Design and development:Yugoslavia's VTI began design work on the airplane, named Galeb, in 1957...

, 23254, 20 September 1991, Kornati
G-2
Soko G-2
The SOKO G-2 Galeb is a two-seat, single engine, jet trainer and ground-attack aircraft developed in Yugoslavia.-Design and development:Yugoslavia's VTI began design work on the airplane, named Galeb, in 1957...

, 23264, 20 September 1991, Brač
G-2
Soko G-2
The SOKO G-2 Galeb is a two-seat, single engine, jet trainer and ground-attack aircraft developed in Yugoslavia.-Design and development:Yugoslavia's VTI began design work on the airplane, named Galeb, in 1957...

, 20 September 1992, Žirje
Gazelle
Aérospatiale Gazelle
The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...

, 20 September 1991, Split
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 21 September 1992, Primošten
G-4, 24 September 1991, Vukovar
G-4, 23733, 24 September 1991, Lički Ribnik
J-20
Soko J-20 Kraguj
|-See also:-References:* Taylor,John W.R. . Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969-70. London: Sampson Low,1969.-External links:* *...

, 30141, 3 October 1991, Konavle
Mi-8
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....

, 12245, 4 October 1991, Slavonski Brod
Gazelle
Aérospatiale Gazelle
The Aérospatiale Gazelle is a five-seat light helicopter, powered by a single turbine engine. It was designed and manufactured in France by Sud Aviation . It was also manufactured under licence by Westland Aircraft in the United Kingdom , by SOKO in Yugoslavia and ABHCO in Egypt...

, 5 October 1991, Konavle
MiG-21, 17130, 6 October 1991, Slunj
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 17 October 1991, Ston
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 24268, 4 November 1991, Vukovar/Kisač
MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...

, 26111, 8 November 1991, Delnice/Ravna Gora
G-2
Soko G-2
The SOKO G-2 Galeb is a two-seat, single engine, jet trainer and ground-attack aircraft developed in Yugoslavia.-Design and development:Yugoslavia's VTI began design work on the airplane, named Galeb, in 1957...

, 8 November 1991, Zadar
MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...

, 17156, 9 November 1991, Đakovo/Vrpolje
G-4, 23734, 9 November 1991, Vinkovci/Bačka Palanka (Serbia)
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 24414, 12 November 1991, Sinj
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 15 November 1991, over the sea
G-4, 23631, 24 April 1992, Neum (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...

, 26109, 12 April 1992, Kupres (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 24201, 13 April 1992, Bosanski Brod (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 23 April 1992, Čapljina (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
J-21
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 24 April 1992, Cerovica (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
MiG-21
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. It was popularly nicknamed "balalaika", from the aircraft's planform-view resemblance to the Russian stringed musical instrument or ołówek by Polish pilots due to...

, 17152, 2 May 1992, Slavonski Brod
J-22
Soko J-21 Jastreb
|-See also:...

, 25105, 28 June 1992, Od‍žak/Modriča (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
Mi-8
Mil Mi-8
The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....

, 12402, 17 July 1992, Gradačac (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

External links

(English version)

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.