NATO has announced that Croatia is entering a new era of its air defense, as it will take full responsibility for protecting its airspace with modern Rafale fighter jets.
As NATO emphasizes in the announcement, the Croatian Rafale aircraft will be integrated into NATO's integrated air and missile defense system, thus strengthening Croatia's own capabilities, but also contributing to the Alliance's collective defense.
The NATO announcement emphasizes that the transition from the MiG-21 to the Dassault Rafale represents a major technological and operational leap.
The alliance says the new aircraft bring modern sensors, full interoperability with allies and direct integration into NATO command and control systems.
NATO recalls that during the transitional period, Italy and Hungary ensured continuous protection of Croatian airspace, which the announcement described as a clear example of allied solidarity.
According to the alliance's announcement, Croatian crews are now fully trained and the Rafales are on continuous duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, further strengthening NATO's national security and collective defense. /Telegraph/
