Croatian Air Force and Air Defense

The Croatia Air Force, officially known as the Croatian Air Force and Air Defense (CAFAD), was established on December 12, 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence. The CAFAD operates under the Ministry of Defense and is responsible for the defense of Croatian airspace and providing air support to the Croatian Armed Forces. The air force primarily consists of combat aircraft, transport aircraft, helicopters, and air defense systems. The backbone of the CAFAD is formed by a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft that includes MiG-21 fighter jets and PC-9M turboprop trainer aircraft. The rotary-wing component comprises helicopters like the Bell 206, Mi-8, and OH-58, vital for troop transport, medical evacuation, and reconnaissance missions. The air defense systems of the CAFAD consist of surface-to-air missile systems and radar installations. The primary mission of the Croatia Air Force is to safeguard the integrity of Croatian airspace and contribute to international peacekeeping operations.

Key facts

Official Name	Croatian Air Force and Air Defense
Local Name	Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzračna Obrana
Country	🇭🇷 Croatia
World rank	#79
Active aircrafts	80 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	14
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Helicopters	42
Training	26
Combat aircrafts	12

Aircrafts most used by Croatian air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
Mi-8 Hip	25	Soviet multipurpose helicopter, prevalent during the Cold War, extensively utilized for transport, combat and humanitarian operations globally.
206 JetRanger	23	American light helicopter, well known for civilian, military, emergency medical services, and offshore oil support roles since the 1960s.
PC-9	14	Swiss trainer aircraft, renowned for its use in aerobatics, globally employed for military flight training since the 1980s.
MiG-21 Fishbed	12	Soviet supersonic jet fighter, renowned for extensive service during the Cold War, prevalent in various international conflicts.
Z 42	4	Czech training aircraft, introduced in the late 20th century, extensively utilized for flight instruction and aerobatics worldwide.
UH-60 Black Hawk	2	American utility helicopter, renowned for service in Iraq and Afghanistan, extensively employed for troop transport and medical evacuation.
Rafale	0	French twin-engine multirole fighter, known for its versatility, advanced avionics, and high maneuverability.

Full inventory in 2024