The Croatian Armed Forces (CAF) are set to begin their official readiness for the 2025 firefighting season. However, according to an official report by Chief of the General Staff, General Tihomir Kundid, not all aircraft will be operational in time.
Defense Minister Ivan Anušić presented precise data based on the General Staff’s report—the only relevant document for the Ministry of Defense, as stated by the Ministry. According to the report, the CAF have currently been handed three Canadair CL-415 aircraft and three Air Tractor AT-802 planes. The remaining three Canadairs and three Air Tractors are still undergoing maintenance at the Aeronautical Technical Center (ZTC).
By the start of the firefighting season on June 1, the CAF should have five operational Canadairs (including one whose service life expires on July 1) and three Air Tractors. However, three AT-802s will not be ready on time and are expected to be delivered only by mid-June, along with one additional Canadair.
Furthermore, not all six Canadairs will be available during the season, as one will be sent for maintenance once its service life expires in early July. This means Croatia will have limited aerial firefighting capacity during the most critical part of the season.
This situation raises concerns about the timely coordination of maintenance and fleet renewal to ensure continuous readiness. Minister Anušić emphasized that the General Staff’s report is unambiguous, highlighting the need to resolve technical and logistical obstacles more quickly.
In recent years, Croatia has faced intense wildfires, making the operational availability of firefighting aircraft crucial. The lack of a full fleet could pose an additional risk, especially in the event of multiple large-scale fires occurring simultaneously.
