While extensive training of Croatian pilots on multi-role combat aircraft Rafale is ongoing, the task of airspace monitoring has been temporarily handed over to allies from Italy and Hungary. Croatian Rafale aircraft, despite their advanced technical capabilities, are currently not involved in the task of the standby combat duo to ensure that pilot training remains a priority, and unnecessary resource expenditure is avoided. Instead, Italian Eurofighters and Hungarian Gripens have taken on a crucial role in air surveillance, which is common practice among NATO members during transitional phases of air force modernization.

Italy and Hungary, as reliable NATO allies, provide support to the Republic of Croatia in ensuring the continuity of air security while Croatian pilots undergo intensive training on the Rafales. Pilot training began last year in France, during which Croatian pilots gained essential knowledge and skills for operating Rafale aircraft. The training is expected to last a total of 18 months and includes not only pilots but also technical personnel, who are undergoing maintenance training for the aircraft in Mont-de-Marsan. According to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Croatia, the first solo flights on the Rafales have already been successfully carried out in May this year, highlighting the progress and success of the entire program.

This transitional period also includes the implementation of a bilateral agreement between Croatia, Italy, and Hungary, known as the Technical Arrangement, which allows allies to take over the task of monitoring Croatian airspace until the modernization process is completed. The agreement is expected to be fully implemented by the end of 2024, ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of Croatia's air defense without additional costs to the national budget. This cooperation further strengthens Croatia's position within the NATO alliance and ensures long-term protection of the sovereignty of Croatian airspace.

Over the past three years, Croatia has invested significant funds in modernizing its air force, which includes the procurement of 12 Rafale F3-R aircraft from France, as part of one of the largest military contracts in the country's history. According to the agreement worth 999 million euros, Croatia will have a complete squadron of 12 Rafales by mid-2025, with the first aircraft arriving in April this year. The official reception of these aircraft was marked by a ceremonial event attended by the highest Croatian state officials, including President Zoran Milanović and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, further confirming the strategic importance of this program for national security.

The acquisition of Rafales not only enhances Croatia's military capability but also significantly increases its role within the NATO alliance, especially in the area of air surveillance and defense. Until now, Croatian airspace has been monitored using older MiG-21 aircraft, but with the arrival of Rafales, Croatia joins a group of countries that possess the most modern aviation technology, ensuring long-term security and sovereignty over its airspace. Additionally, this program marks a transition from legacy Soviet technologies to Western military equipment, thereby strengthening Croatia's interoperability with other NATO members.

Temporarily transferring monitoring tasks to allies enables Croatia to focus on completing the modernization of its air force and training pilots, without compromising airspace security. Such practices are common in countries undergoing air force modernization, and NATO support is crucial for ensuring continuous surveillance. Thanks to cooperation with Italy and Hungary, Croatia continues to be an important part of NATO's joint airspace protection system.