Croatian Ministry of Defense reported that tomorrow, on October 2, 2023, a handover ceremony of the first Rafale B (two-seater) aircraft of the Croatian Airforce is planned:
“The solemn handover ceremony of the first Rafale B (two-seater) aircraft is planned for October 2, 2023, at the French Air Force base Mont de Marsan.
After the reception ceremony of the Rafale aircraft in France, Croatian pilots will fly the aircraft to the Bordeaux Training Center, where further training will be conducted for employees of the aviation technical service and pilots of the Croatian Air Force.
The gradual delivery of all Rafale aircraft and accompanying equipment to the Republic of Croatia is expected during 2024 and the beginning of 2025.”
According to the Ministry of Defense, the dynamics of the handover (transfer of ownership) of the aircraft are planned in France, with the dynamics:
- 4 aircraft by the end of 2023
- 4 aircraft in 2024
- 4 aircraft at the beginning of 2025
By the decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia dated May 28, 2021, the offer for new Croatian Airforce aircraft of the French Republic was determined to be the most favorable, and on November 25, 2021, a Technical Agreement and three contracts were signed with the companies Dassault Aviation, MBDA France and Safran Electronic & Defense, the payment of which will be carried out in the six-year period from 2021 to 2026.
The total value of the Technical Agreement and all three Contracts is EUR 999,068,493, i.e. EUR 1,152,496,307 with estimated price indexation costs and VAT.
