Article

Starting January 1, 2026, the Croatian Air Force will take full control of national airspace defense with a squadron of 12 Rafale fighter jets, following the completion of pilot training. This transition, previously managed by Italian and Hungarian aircraft, will be supported by modern radar networks and the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system, alongside a €125 million investment in counter-drone systems to protect key infrastructure. The Croatian company Končar will lead the development of these new defense capabilities.