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Croatian Air Force and Air Defence (Croatian: Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo i protuzračna obrana) is a branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.
[edit] DutiesCroatian 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:
[edit] Structure of Croatian Air Force in 2009 [1]
[edit] Current status  The core of the air force is a squadron of 12 modernized MiG-21bisD/UMD fighters which are scheduled to remain in service for only a few more years. In 2003, a minor upgrade and an extensive overhaul was performed in Romania, 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 were 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 - the Mirage 2000 was offered instead. However, in November 2008 the Croatian government decided to postpone the tender due to the worldwide economic situation.[2] Pilot training is conducted on two types of aircraft. During late 2007, five new Zlin 242L Aerobatic basic trainers 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 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 Wings of Storm. As Croatia doesn't 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, HOTAS 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 tactical transports which underwent a two-stage modernization in 2004 and 2007. They were fitted with new navigational and communication equipment, additional loading systems, flare dispensers etc. However, two or three new cargo aircraft will replace Antonovs by 2015. Some rumours suggest second-hand C-130 Hercules 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. The helicopter fleet is equipped mainly with Russian-built Mi-17s and its derivates. The fleet includes three Mi-8 and 11 Mi-8MTV-1 (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, NVG 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 for a year or two. After more than 10 years in the Croatian service and great success in Operation Storm, the government finally decided to retire a squadron of seven Mi-24V helicopters in 2005 due to 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 do not 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 deal was not finalized. While visiting Israel in November 2006, the 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. 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 and five Air Tractor AT-802 water bombers. These will join a fleet of five relatively new amphibians already in service. The entire deal is projected at $70 million. Procurement of new multirole fighters Although the long-term defence plan envisaged a purchase of 12 multirole fighters, which were to start entering service by 2010, this is currently under revision. Due to the ongoing global economic crisis which will undoubtedly affect Croatia, the decision on which fighter type should eventually enter service will be deferred until 2010, rather than by late 2008 as was planned. This will see new aircraft enter service no sooner than 2011-2012. At the same time, after years of research and discussions, Air Force experts have concluded that the Croatian AF can not effectively patrol the airspace with only 12 fighters. A document they have recently produced states that Croatia needs at least 16 to 18 fighter aircraft in order to fulfill all its needs and duties. As an interim solution until new fighters are purchased, six to seven MiG-21s (out of over 12 stored a few years ago) might be reactivated and undergo an overhaul and modernization. These would join the 12 MiGs modernized in 2003, whose operational life would be extended until 2012. Another, but less likely possibility is a purchase of 8 second-hand F-16 fighters from one of the European air forces which should then soldier on until the new fighter type is introduced. A final decision is expected in late 2009 or early 2010 by which time a completely new long-term defence plan will have been made. Modernization and Procurement programs 2007 - 2015
[edit] Current aircraft inventory
[edit] Aircraft that have been retired since 1996
[edit] Aviation HistoryCroatian aviation history goes back to World War II. During the war, much of the force's capacity was sent to the Eastern Front as the Croatian Air Force Legion (Croatian: Hrvatska zrakoplovna legija, German: Kroatische Luftwaffen Legion). This consisted of one fighter squadron equipped with Messerschmitt 109 fighters and one bomber squadron equipped with Dornier Do 17 bombers. The fighter squadron served in Russia as part of JG 52. Many of the unit's pilots became aces, including; Mato Dukovac, Cvitan Galić, Franjo Džal, and many more.[4] The Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia, the Zrakoplovstvo Nezavisne Države Hrvatske (ZNDH) came into being as early as 19 April 1941, just nine days after the proclamation of the Independent Croat State. 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, British and Czech.[5] The fleet numbered several hundred aircraft, from training bi-planes to the latest Messerschmitt 109 fighters. All ZNDH aircraft captured at the end of World War II were incorporated into 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, as well as captured ZNDH aircraft) 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. The Croatian Air Force as it is known now was established on December 12, 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence from Yugoslavia. 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 were, in fact, the property of all ex-Yugoslav states. 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 acquired. Around 25 were put into service while the rest served as a source for spare parts. The 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, and modern ones were also 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] See also[edit] Gallery
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
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