Croatian Air Force and Defense

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Croatian Air Force and Air Defense

Emblem of the Croatian Air Force and Defence
Active 1991
Country Croatia
Size about 2,000 personnel
89 aircraft, number due to rise
H/Q Pleso Airbase, Zagreb
Anniversaries 12 December
Commanders
Current
commander		 brigadier general Vlado Bagarić
Insignia
Roundel
Fin Marking
Aircraft flown
Fighter MiG-21BisD/UMD
Patrol Bell 206B-3, Pilatus PC-9M
Trainer Pilatus PC-9M, Zlin 242L
Transport An-32B, Mi-8 MTV-1, Mi-171Sh

Croatian Air Force and Defense (Croatian: Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo i protuzračna obrana) is a branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.

Contents

[edit] Duties

Croatian Air Force and Air Defence aim is securing sovereignty of the air space of the Republic of Croatia and providing air support to other services in implementation of their tasks in joint operations. 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 the 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 operations
  • Support to control of the proliferation of people and material goods

Basic structure:

  • Air Force Command
  • Staff Service Support
  • 91st Airbase - Pleso, Zagreb
    • 21st squadron of fighting aircraft - MiG-21 bisD/UMD
    • 27th squadron of transport aircraft - An-32B, PA-31P, Cessna R.172K, Cessna T210N
    • 28th squadron of transport helicopters - Mi-8MTV-1
  • 92nd Airbase - Pula
    • 22nd fighter squadron - MiG-21 bisD/UMD
  • 93rd Airbase - Zemunik, Zadar
    • 1st squadron of aircraft - Pilatus PC-9M, Zlin 242L
    • 2nd suadron of helicopters - Bell 206B-3, Mi-8T/PS
    • 885th firefighting squadron - Canadair CL-415, AirTractor AT-802F
  • 94th Airbase - Lučko, Zagreb
    • 28th squadron of transport helicopters - Mi-171Sh
  • 95th Airbase - Divulje, Split
    • 20th squadron of transport helicopters - Mi-8MTV-1, Mi-17
  • 218th Air Surveillance Brigade
  • 205th Air Defense Brigade
  • 74th Military Police Battalion
  • 25th Mixed Elint Battalion
  • 279th Signal Battalion
  • 313th Logistic Brigade
  • Air Force Education and Training Command
  • Air Force Medicine Institute
  • 42nd Engineer Battalion

[edit] Current status

Croatian fighters fly over Pleso airbase in 2007
Croatian fighters fly over Pleso airbase in 2007
MiG-21bisD fighter
MiG-21bisD fighter
Croatian Mil Mi-8MTV-1
Croatian Mil Mi-8MTV-1
Mil Mi-171 Sh
Mil Mi-171 Sh
Pilatus PC-9M at Zagreb airport
Pilatus PC-9M at Zagreb airport
Newly introduced Zlin 242L trainers
Newly introduced Zlin 242L trainers
Antonov An-32B
Antonov An-32B
Bell 206B-3 helicopter
Bell 206B-3 helicopter
Three new Air Tractor AT-802 FireBoss during a 2008 flypast
Three new Air Tractor AT-802 FireBoss during a 2008 flypast

The core of the air force are 24 modernized MiG-21bisD/UMD fighters which will continue to serve on just a couple of years more. They were sent to Romania in 2003 for an upgrade and an overhaul and now incorporate some of the elements of the Lancer standard, primarily to make them interoperable with NATO. Their replacement is scheduled for 2011 when a squadron of new multirole fighters will have entered service. An official tender calls for 10+2 aircraft but up to 15 might be bought depending on the model. As of date, demands for proposals have been sent to Saab Gripen, F-16, Mirage F-1, Eurofighter and MiG-29 users and manufacturers. Final decision is due for the end of 2008.

Training is conducted on two types of aircraft. During late 2007, five new Zlin 242L Aerobatic were acquired to replace 7 old Utva 75 basic trainers. The deal was worth just under $2 million. However, 4 Utva 75 are still officially in service so it is rumored that these might be replaced by additional three Zlins in due course. The backbone of the training fleet is built around 20 Pilatus PC-9M advanced trainers which also represent the most numerous type in Croatian service. These were ordered in 1997 and entered full service a year later. Three were bought as second-hand examples and brought immediately to the level of newly introduced aircraft. The whole deal was worth around $100 million. It should be noted that Pilatus PC-9 represent primarily a non-combat aircraft which are not armed at the moment, however, this could be changed in the future or in case of great threat. They are also operated by the national aerobatic team called Wings of Storm.

Croatian air force operates 2 Antonov An-32B tactical transporters which were both modernized on two separate occasions, in 2004 and 2007. They were installed with new navigational and communication equipment, additional loading systems, flare dispensers ecc. They now serve even Croatian soldiers in Afganistan. An additional 2-3 cargo aircraft are needed and will probably enter service after new fighters have been bought.

As for the helicopter fleet, Croatian air force is equipped mostly with Russian-built Mi-17 derivates. The fleet is based on 3 Mi-8 and 11 Mi-8MTV-1 (also known as Mi-17-1V) transporters, which almost all were sent to an overhaul in 2005 and 2006. Since then, these helicopters wear an all-grey camouflage which is becoming a new, not so attractive but effective, standard on all cargo aircraft. 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 of $186 million Russia had with Croatia. Order itself is worth $65 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, NVG equipment, door gunner posts, rocket launchers etc. Some media have informed the public that part of the western-built avionics is malfunctioning due to incompatibility with the Russian equipment. This proved to be exaggerated. Other reports state that Croatia will receive 14 helicopters in total due to a subsequent order. This hasn't been confirmed.

After over 10 years in Croatian service and great success in Operation Storm, it was decided by the government that 9 Mi-24 helicopters would definitely be retired in 2005 due to a costly modernization. Seven of them are offered for sale for $83,000 per aircraft, while one wile be sent to a museum and one will be used as a ground trainer. Plans for a new type of attack helicopter don't exist at the moment although these kinds of aircraft are definitely needed. In 2007, Croatia was very near to selling its Mi-24s to Georgia but due to Putin's disapproval and a danger of ruining good relations with Russia, the offer was rejected.

While visiting Israel in November 2006, the Croatian delegation agreed to buy 2 mid-size, state-of-the-art Hermes 450 and 2 small Skylark UAVs. Together with these aircraft, additional cameras, computer systems, spare parts and a ground station were obtained. Hermes 450 will be used mainly for maritime patrol. Further purchase of these aircraft have been or are planned to be made.

After a horrible fire season during the summer of 2007, Croatia agreed to buy 2 new Canadair CL-415 and 3 Air Tractor AT-802 water bombers. These will join a fleet of 5 relatively brand new amphibiants already in service. The entire deal is projected at $85 million.

Modernization and Procurement programs 2007 - 2015

  • Procurement of 10 Mi-171Sh transport helicopters and all associated spare parts and equipment. Helicopters are equipped up to a NATO standards with mostly western avionics. Cost of Program - 380 million Croatian Kuna paid in exchange for a Russian debt to Croatia.
  • Procurement of 5 Zlin 242L basic trainers. Program has ended as 5 aircraft were delivered in late 2007. Additional ones might be acquired. Cost of program - 10 million Croatian Kuna.
  • 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 (Radar/command vehicles + 2 launcher vehicles). 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.
  • Procurement of 2 additional Canadair CL-415 fire bombers and 3 Air Tractor AT-802 - cost of program - 400 million Croatian Kuna. It has to be noted that this procurement wasn't planned and money was acquired from the national budget surplus.
  • Additional programs are also being considered, additional utility, ASW, SAR and police helicopters as well as few medium transport aircraft for the needs of several peacekeeping operations.
  • The costs will total €1,157 million. That is $396 USD per citizen.


[edit] Aircraft inventory as of April 2008

Aircraft Origin Type Versions In service[1] Notes
Air Tractor AT-802 Flag of the United States United States firefighting, patrol AT-802F
AT-802F FireBoss		 1
3		 entered service recently
Antonov An-32 Flag of Ukraine Ukraine tactical transport An-32B 2 modernized in 2007
Bell 206 Flag of the United States United States utility, training helicopter 206B-3 8 entered service in 1997
Bombardier Challenger 600 Flag of Canada Canada VIP transport CL-604 1 on civilian disposal
Canadair CL-415 Flag of Canada Canada firefighting CL-415 4 2 more to enter service in 2009
Elbit Hermes 450 Flag of Israel Israel sea patrol, reconnaissance Hermes 450 2 probably more ordered
Lola Utva 75 Flag of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Yugoslavia basic trainer UTVA 75 4 due to be withdrawn in 2008
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 Fishbed Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union fighter/interceptor
trainer		 MiG-21bisD
MiG-21UMD		 20
4		 modernized in 2003, due to be withdrawn in 2011
Mil Mi-8 Hip Flag of Russia Russia transport helicopter Mi-8T
Mi-8PS
Mi-8MTV-1		 2
1
11		 lightly modernized and overhauled in 2005, most MTV-1s acquired new in 1992
Mil Mi-17 Hip-H Flag of Russia Russia transport, attack helicopter Mi-171Sh 10 7 in service, 3 being delivered, 2 more planned
Pilatus PC-9 Flag of Switzerland Switzerland advanced trainer, light attack PC-9M 20 entered service in 1998
Piper PA-31 Navajo Flag of the United States United States utility, transport PA-31P 1 limited service
Zlin 242 Flag of the Czech Republic Czech Republic basic trainer Z 242L Aerobatic 5 entered service in late 2007, more on option

[edit] Aircraft that have been retired since 1996

[edit] Aviation History

Croatian aviation history go further into the second world war. They were famous Domobran regiment (escadrille) in Russia known as the Croatian 15./Jg 52 unit. Many aces formed in that war such as; Mato Dukovac, Cvitan Galić, Franjo Džal, and many more. Croatia had a large fleet of relatively modern aircraft during the Second World War usually of German origin, but also ex-Royal Yugoslav, Italian, French and Czech.[2] The fleet numbered more than 400 aircraft, from training bi-planes to the latest Messerschmitt 109 fighters, which eventually became a part of the Yugoslav People's Army inventory. On the Allied side, when the Partisan forces started forming their own air force squadrons (based on donated Allied planes) towards the end of the war, a number of Croats with previous flying experience (NDH defectors, USAAF pilots of Yugoslav descent, pre-war civilian pilots), as well as previously untrained personnel, took part in the effort.

Croatian air force as it is known now began to exist on December 12, 1991. At first, only small agricultural and transport planes were used to fight a far superior, Serb-led Yugoslav National Army that took almost all aircraft which, in fact, were a property of all ex-Yugoslav states. Fortunately, Croatia was able to acquire 3 MiG-21s (brought over by JNA defectors) by late 1992 when the first fighter squadron was formed. Soon, by evading the embargo on weapons, almost 40 MiG-21bis/UM fighters were bought. Around 25 were put into service while the rest served as a source for spare parts. Helicopter force was basically created during the war period by purchasing around 20 Mil Mi-8 transports and 10 Mi-24 gunships which were used to a devastating effect in 1995 during Operation Storm. After the war, many aircraft were withdrawn from service but also modern ones were obtained, notably 20 Pilatus PC-9 and 10 Bell 206B-3 in 1997. 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.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ "World Military Aircraft Inventory", Aerospace Source Book 2007, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 15, 2007.
  2. ^ Lisko, T. and Canak, D., Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo u Drugome Svejetskom Ratu (The Croatian Airforce in the Second World War) Zagreb, 1998

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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Croatian Army • Croatian Navy • Croatian Air Force and Defense