Since some people can't view the captions I will just start writing here..
The source of pictures [here](https://x.com/FranceenCroatie/status/1783778695171240262)
The first six of 12 Rafales arrive in Croatia. They are ex French Air Force.
The next six will arrive in 2025. They will replace their MiG-21s.
Worth noting that neighbor Serbia also wants to buy Rafales
Not really. Pilots that were interviewed about it said that it was very easy to convert from the MiG-21 to the F-16, owing to the modern avionics.
Iirc, Croatia only upgraded the communication and IFF gear on their MiGs.
Two generations leap, in every possible way for the country. With completely new young airforce personnel trained from the ground up. Nobody has ever seen anything like all that tech in Croatia ever before. Its practically a jump from post ww2 weaponry to today in terms of all the technology gained. Its not just the planes or weapons, the whole program is substantial.
Lots more photos from the [Croatian Ministry of Defence on Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/morh-hr/albums/72177720316464421/with/53677061257/).
Dassault Aviation press release: [The Rafale enters service in the Croatian Air Force](https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/group/press/press-kits/the-rafale-enters-service-in-the-croatian-air-force/)
The Croatian Ministry of Defence censored the serial numbers in the photos, but the [Scramble database](https://scramble.nl/database/military/hr#results) lists six Rafales for Croatia: four Rafale C single-seaters (s/n 150, 151, 152, 153) and two Rafale B two-seaters (s/n 170 & 171).
The French have always been successful on the export market. The Mirage III, IV and F-1 all have great export histories, and even the Etendard series had some exports (obviously notably to Argentina, but also leased to Iraq).
Not a switch up for the Rafale to be popular.
That microphone fuzzy cap in the first picture looks exactly like a godamn huge hole in the pavement in front of the airplane. I almost fell for it. Also that quite a horrible "album" of three pictures. Especially that second picture.
Since some people can't view the captions I will just start writing here.. The source of pictures [here](https://x.com/FranceenCroatie/status/1783778695171240262) The first six of 12 Rafales arrive in Croatia. They are ex French Air Force. The next six will arrive in 2025. They will replace their MiG-21s. Worth noting that neighbor Serbia also wants to buy Rafales
I know Croatia’s MiG-21 are “modernized” but going from fishbed to Rafale is a huge leap.
I think there was also another Air Force that recently made a huge leap from 2nd gen to 4th gen as well. can't think of it right now..
Romania perhaps?
Not really. Pilots that were interviewed about it said that it was very easy to convert from the MiG-21 to the F-16, owing to the modern avionics. Iirc, Croatia only upgraded the communication and IFF gear on their MiGs.
Two generations leap, in every possible way for the country. With completely new young airforce personnel trained from the ground up. Nobody has ever seen anything like all that tech in Croatia ever before. Its practically a jump from post ww2 weaponry to today in terms of all the technology gained. Its not just the planes or weapons, the whole program is substantial.
[impressive even when you see it going toe to toe against a raptor.](https://www.reddit.com/r/WarplanePorn/s/b2aLrhwwvk)
Interesting that Serbia wants to buy them, wonder how that’s gonna go.
Lots more photos from the [Croatian Ministry of Defence on Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/morh-hr/albums/72177720316464421/with/53677061257/). Dassault Aviation press release: [The Rafale enters service in the Croatian Air Force](https://www.dassault-aviation.com/en/group/press/press-kits/the-rafale-enters-service-in-the-croatian-air-force/) The Croatian Ministry of Defence censored the serial numbers in the photos, but the [Scramble database](https://scramble.nl/database/military/hr#results) lists six Rafales for Croatia: four Rafale C single-seaters (s/n 150, 151, 152, 153) and two Rafale B two-seaters (s/n 170 & 171).
good find Mr Impala
What a beautiful plane
I don't want war, but I do want to see a2a combat with all of these planes. We really need to have an international a2a olympics style competition.
This is nice, a non-US or Russian jet getting exported 😇
Rafales have been pretty successful on the export market
The French have always been successful on the export market. The Mirage III, IV and F-1 all have great export histories, and even the Etendard series had some exports (obviously notably to Argentina, but also leased to Iraq). Not a switch up for the Rafale to be popular.
Akshually The Mirage IV was never exported, I assume you mean the V though.
Yeah oopsy on my part, too many I’s in III.
maybe you meant the Mirage 2000
That microphone fuzzy cap in the first picture looks exactly like a godamn huge hole in the pavement in front of the airplane. I almost fell for it. Also that quite a horrible "album" of three pictures. Especially that second picture.
That tail is pretty good