Croatian Rafale pilots are practising air-to-air refuelling in cooperation with the German Air Force, developing a capability that extends the fighter aircraft’s operational range and endurance. The joint training is taking place in Croatian airspace, the Ministry of Defence announced on 11 September 2026.

The training involves pilots from the Croatian Air Force’s 191st Fighter Squadron, part of the 91st Wing, and Airbus A400M crews from Germany’s Air Transport Wing 62. Personnel from both units are based at the “Colonel Marko Živković” barracks at Pleso, near Velika Gorica, for the duration of the activities.

The German A400M uses a hose-and-drogue system to transfer fuel. Rafale pilots match their speed and altitude with the tanker and, while maintaining constant communication with its crew, guide the aircraft’s nose-mounted refuelling probe into the drogue. Fuel transfer begins once a connection is established.

Air-to-air refuelling (AAR) requires precise aircraft handling and coordination between crews. The Ministry of Defence describes it as a new operational capability for the 191st Fighter Squadron, noting that the joint training strengthens the proficiency of Croatian and German units and cooperation between the two air forces within NATO.

The training is taking place alongside further development of Croatia’s Rafale fleet capabilities. According to the ministry’s statement, the government adopted a decision the previous week on additional equipment and modernisation for the aircraft, adding capabilities from the F4 standard to their existing F3-R operational standard.