The Croatian Air Force ( Croatian : Hrvatsko ratno zrakoplovstvo or HRZ ) is the aerial warfare branch of the Croatian Armed Forces . It is tasked primarily with safeguarding the sovereignty of Croatian airspace and providing aviation support to other branches during joint operations.
171-516: The mission of HRZ is to monitor and protect the airspace of the Republic of Croatia , participate in joint and international NATO/UN/EU-led military operations, and implement operations to provide assistance to civil institutions in the country. Today, the Croatian Air Force has 1,500 members, of which about 200 are pilots . The share of women is 13.44%. The Croatian Air Force as it is known today
342-745: A Germanisation policy. By the 1860s, the failure of the policy became apparent, leading to the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 . The creation of a personal union between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary followed. The treaty left Croatia's status to Hungary, which was resolved by the Croatian–Hungarian Settlement of 1868 when the kingdoms of Croatia and Slavonia were united. The Kingdom of Dalmatia remained under de facto Austrian control, while Rijeka retained
513-587: A Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the European Union , submitted a formal application for the EU membership in 2003, was given the status of a candidate country in 2004, and began accession negotiations in 2005. Although the Croatian economy had enjoyed a significant boom in the early 2000s, the financial crisis in 2008 forced the government to cut spending, thus provoking a public outcry. Croatia served on
684-733: A decisive victory by Croatia; the event is commemorated each year on 5 August as Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders . Following the Croatian victory, about 200,000 Serbs from the self-proclaimed Republic of Serbian Krajina fled the region and hundreds of mainly elderly Serb civilians were killed in the aftermath of the military operation, often in revenge attacks. There were instances of their property being looted, seized or burned down. Approximately half have returned since then. Their homes were subsequently settled by Croat refugees from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The remaining occupied areas were restored to Croatia following
855-594: A 15/25 km course. The record stood until 1986, when it was broken by the current official record holder, a modified British Westland Lynx . As a combination of armoured gunship and troop transport, the Mi-24 has no direct NATO counterpart. While the UH-1 ("Huey") helicopters were used by the US in the Vietnam War either to ferry troops, or as gunships, they were not able to do both at
1026-556: A 1568 copy of a lost original, but it is not certain if the original was indeed older than the Branimir inscription. The area known as Croatia today was inhabited throughout the prehistoric period . Neanderthal fossils dating to the middle Palaeolithic period were unearthed in northern Croatia, best presented at the Krapina site . Remnants of Neolithic and Chalcolithic cultures were found in all regions. The largest proportion of sites
1197-440: A German company E.I.S. Aircraft GmBH in 2017. After a horrible fire season during the summer of 2007 (12 firefighters lost their lives on a small island of Kornati ), Croatia agreed to buy two new Canadair CL-415 and five Air Tractor AT-802 water bombers . These joined a fleet of four relatively new amphibians already in service. The entire deal was projected at $ 70 million. By making such an acquisition, Croatia became
1368-631: A Libyan air force base at Ouadi-Doum in Northern Chad. Among the aircraft captured during this raid were three Mi-25s. These were supplied to France, which in turn sent one to the United Kingdom and one to the US. The aircraft was operated extensively during the Soviet–Afghan War, mainly for bombing Mujahideen fighters. When the U.S. supplied heat-seeking Stinger missiles to the Mujahideen,
1539-509: A campaign of killing, terror, and expulsion of the Croats in the occupied territories, killing thousands of Croat civilians and expelling or displacing as many as 400,000-500,000 Croats and other non-Serbs from their homes. Serbs living in Croatian towns, especially those near the front lines, were subjected to various forms of discrimination. Croatian Serbs in Eastern and Western Slavonia and parts of
1710-497: A church inscription found in Bijaći near Trogir dated to the end of the 8th or early 9th century. The presumably oldest stone inscription with fully preserved ethnonym is the 9th-century Branimir inscription found near Benkovac , where Duke Branimir is styled Dux Cruatorvm , likely dated between 879 and 892, during his rule. The Latin term Chroatorum is attributed to a charter of Duke Trpimir I of Croatia , dated to 852 in
1881-622: A cost-saving measure, a decision was made to again overhaul seven serviceable airframes already in service and supplement them with five additional airframes from Ukrspecexport . On August 5, 2024 MiG-21 flew in an honorary flight over the Knin Fortress , as part of the celebration of the 29th anniversary of the Operation Storm , to a well-deserved retirement. Chief of the General Staff Tihomir Kundid said that with this flyover,
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#17328439699622052-472: A derivation of North-West Slavic * Xərwate , by liquid metathesis from Common Slavic period *Xorvat , from proposed Proto-Slavic *Xъrvátъ which possibly comes from the 3rd-century Scytho-Sarmatian form attested in the Tanais Tablets as Χοροάθος ( Khoroáthos , alternate forms comprise Khoróatos and Khoroúathos ). The origin of the ethnonym is uncertain, but most probably
2223-562: A distraction while being shot at, and preferred to fly lightly loaded anyway, especially given their operations from high ground altitudes in Afghanistan. Mi-24 troop compartment armour was often removed to reduce weight. Troops would be carried in Mi-8 helicopters while the Mi-24s provided fire support. It proved useful to carry a technician in the Mi-24's crew compartment to handle a light machine gun in
2394-512: A federal unit, were stopped by World War I . On 29 October 1918, the Croatian Parliament ( Sabor ) declared independence and decided to join the newly formed State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs , which in turn entered into union with the Kingdom of Serbia on 4 December 1918 to form the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes . The Croatian Parliament never ratified the union with Serbia and Montenegro. The 1921 constitution defining
2565-665: A few flown by the Northern Alliance , which had Russian assistance and access to spares, remained operational up to the US invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001. In 2008, the Afghan Air Force took delivery of six refurbished Mi-35 helicopters, purchased from the Czech Republic. The Afghan pilots were trained by India and began live firing exercises in May 2009 in order to escort Mi-17 transport helicopters on operations in restive parts of
2736-466: A head on attack. However this had the opposite effect of leaking all the exhaust gasses from the Mi-24's engines directly out the side of the aircraft and away from the helicopter's rotor wash, creating two massive sources of heat and ultraviolet radiation for the Stinger to lock onto. The inline placement of the engines was seen as so problematic in this regard that Mil designers abandoned the configuration on
2907-557: A large portion of the fleet was modernised or completely overhauled, and the rest of the outdated fleet was retired. Croatia also acquired new-build transport helicopters, fire-fighting aircraft and basic training aircraft during this time. Despite initial plans to replace the MiG-21 fleet with a multirole aircraft in 2013 (delayed from 2011 due to the financial crisis) and an official tender having been issued in 2008, ongoing budgetary constraints have resulted in an abandonment of these plans. As
3078-418: A load of four 250-kilogram (550 lb) or two 500-kilogram (1,100 lb) iron bombs. Some Mi-24 crews became experts at dropping bombs precisely on targets. Fuel-air explosive bombs were also used in a few instances, though crews initially underestimated the sheer blast force of such weapons and were caught by the shock waves. The 9K114 Shturm was used infrequently, largely due to a lack of targets early in
3249-400: A low-cost option. This was considered but later dropped in favor of the new Mil twin-engine design. A number of changes were made at the insistence of the military, including the replacement of the 23 mm cannon with a rapid-fire heavy machine gun mounted in a chin turret, and the use of the 9K114 Shturm (AT-6 Spiral) anti-tank missile. A directive was issued on 6 May 1968 to proceed with
3420-412: A lull in helicopter losses, each side lost a gunship on 13 February 1986. Later, a Mi-25 claimed a SeaCobra shot down with YaKB gun on 16 February, and a SeaCobra claimed a Mi-25 shot down with rockets on 18 February. The last engagement between the two types was on 22 May 1986, when Mi-25s shot down a SeaCobra. The final claim tally was 10 SeaCobras and 6 Mi-25s destroyed. The relatively small numbers and
3591-558: A mid-mounted 17.3 m (57 ft) five-blade main rotor and a three-blade tail rotor. The engine configuration gave the aircraft its distinctive double air intake. Original versions have an angular greenhouse-style cockpit; Model D and later have a characteristic tandem cockpit with a "double bubble" canopy . Other airframe components came from the Mi-14 "Haze". Two mid-mounted stub wings provide weapon hardpoints , each offering three stations, in addition to providing lift . The loadout mix
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#17328439699623762-537: A mix of Mi-24/-35P and Mi-24V/-35 versions attached to its No. 9 Attack Helicopter Squadron . They have recently been upgraded with modern Israeli FLIR and electronic warfare systems. Five were upgraded to intercept aircraft by adding radar, fully functional helmet mounted target tracking systems, and AAMs. More than five Mi-24s have been lost to LTTE MANPADS, and another two lost in attacks on air bases, with one heavily damaged but later returned to service. The Peruvian Air Force received 12 Mi-25Ds and 2 Mi-25DU from
3933-690: A moderately warm and rainy continental climate as defined by the Köppen climate classification . Mean monthly temperature ranges between −3 °C (27 °F ) in January and 18 °C (64 °F) in July. The coldest parts of the country are Lika and Gorski Kotar featuring a snowy, forested climate at elevations above 1,200 metres (3,900 feet). The warmest areas are at the Adriatic coast and especially in its immediate hinterland characterised by Mediterranean climate , as
4104-534: A short time before heading back to base to refuel. The Mi-24's favoured munition was the 80-millimetre (3.1 in) S-8 rocket , the 57 mm (2.2 in) S-5 having proven too light to be effective. The 23 mm (0.91 in) gun pod was also popular. Extra rounds of rocket ammunition were often carried internally so that the crew could land and self-reload in the field. The Mi-24 could carry ten 100-kilogram (220 lb) iron bombs for attacks on camps or strongpoints, while harder targets could be dealt with
4275-690: A special purpose armed variant of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk . The first combat use of the Mi-24 was with the Ethiopian forces during the Ogaden War against Somalia . The helicopters formed part of a massive airlift of military equipment from the Soviet Union, after the Soviets switched sides towards the end of 1977. The helicopters were instrumental in the combined air and ground assault that allowed
4446-425: A squadron of seven Mi-24V helicopters in 2005 due to a costly modernisation. Plans to sell six Mi-24s to Georgia had been abandoned by the end of 2006 under political pressure from Russia. Another attempt in 2015 to sell seven Mi-24Vs to the highest bidder failed and the remaining Croatian Hinds ended their life in storage and public display. The role of an armed support helicopter was taken over by new Mi-171s but
4617-520: A twin-barreled GSh-23L cannon fixed to the landing skid. Mil proposed the design to the heads of the Soviet armed forces. While he had the support of a number of strategists, he was opposed by several more senior members of the armed forces, who believed that conventional weapons were a better use of resources. Despite the opposition, Mil managed to persuade the defence minister's first deputy, Marshal Andrey A. Grechko , to convene an expert panel to look into
4788-458: A two-stage modernisation in 2004 and 2007. They were fitted with NATO-standard navigational and communication equipment, additional systems for loading/unloading and flare dispensers. They had performed humanitarian and paratrooper missions as well as supporting Croatia's international military commitments such as for ISAF and KFOR . Due to budget limitations both aircraft have been offered for sale. In 2024 both An-32 were donated to Ukraine. In
4959-404: A window port. This gave the Mi-24 some ability to "watch its back" while leaving a target area. In some cases, a light machine gun was fitted on both sides to allow the technician to move from one side to the other without having to take the machine gun with him. This weapon configuration still left the gunship blind to the direct rear, and Mil experimented with fitting a machine gun in the back of
5130-483: A year later. The deal was worth around $ 100 million. They are also operated by the national aerobatic team called Krila Oluje / Wings of Storm . The fleet size and facilities at Zemunik airbase allow the Croatian Air Force to offer advanced pilot training to other countries but the lack of HUDs , HOTAS and weapon stations on Croatia's PC-9Ms, however, limits the usefulness of Croatia's advanced training programme. 6 PC-9M were offered for sale in 2014, 3 were sold to
5301-412: Is also carried out. Flight training includes basic, navigation, basic instrument, night, group, advanced instrument, dedicated and basic NVG flying. During late 2007, five new Zlín Z 242L basic trainers were acquired in order to replace a fleet of seven old UTVA 75s (four had already been retired previously). The deal was worth just under $ 2 million. An option for three additional basic trainers
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5472-531: Is currently in use by 58 countries. In NATO circles, the export versions, Mi-25 and Mi-35 , are denoted with a letter suffix as "Hind D" and "Hind E". Soviet pilots called the Mi-24 the "flying tank" (Russian: летающий танк , romanized: letayushchiy tank ), a term used historically with the famous World War II Soviet Il-2 Shturmovik armored ground attack aircraft. Other common unofficial nicknames were "Galina" (or "Galya"), "Crocodile" (Russian: Крокодил , romanized: Krokodil ), due to
5643-613: Is especially prominent in the Dinaric Alps. Croatia hosts deep caves , 49 of which are deeper than 250 m (820.21 ft), 14 deeper than 500 m (1,640.42 ft) and three deeper than 1,000 m (3,280.84 ft). Croatia's most famous lakes are the Plitvice lakes , a system of 16 lakes with waterfalls connecting them over dolomite and limestone cascades. The lakes are renowned for their distinctive colours, ranging from turquoise to mint green, grey or blue. Most of Croatia has
5814-502: Is from Proto-Ossetian / Alanian * xurvæt- or * xurvāt- , in the meaning of "one who guards" ("guardian, protector"). The oldest preserved record of the Croatian ethnonym's native variation *xъrvatъ is of the variable stem, attested in the Baška tablet in style zvъnъmirъ kralъ xrъvatъskъ (" Zvonimir , Croatian king "), while the Latin variation Croatorum is archaeologically confirmed on
5985-499: Is in the valleys of northern Croatia. The most significant are Baden , Starčevo , and Vučedol cultures . Iron Age hosted the early Illyrian Hallstatt culture and the Celtic La Tène culture . The region of modern-day Croatia was settled by Illyrians and Liburnians , while the first Greek colonies were established on the islands of Hvar , Korčula , and Vis . In 9 AD, the territory of today's Croatia became part of
6156-453: Is mission dependent; Mi-24s can be tasked with close air support, anti-tank operations, or aerial combat. The Mi-24's titanium rotor blades are resistant to 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) rounds. The cockpit is protected by ballistic-resistant windscreens and a titanium-armored tub. The cockpit and crew compartment are overpressurized to protect the crew in NBC conditions . Considerable attention
6327-520: Is situated in Central and Southeast Europe, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea . Hungary is to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to the southeast and Slovenia to the northwest. It lies mostly between latitudes 42° and 47° N and longitudes 13° and 20° E . Part of the territory in the extreme south surrounding Dubrovnik is a practical exclave connected to
6498-431: Is so far progressing at a faster pace than expected. Full membership is expected in 2025 and is the last big foreign policy goal Croatia still has to achieve. On 1 January 2023, Croatia adopted the euro as its official currency, replacing the kuna , and became the 20th Eurozone member. On the same day, Croatia became the 27th member of the border-free Schengen Area , thus marking its full EU integration. Croatia
6669-683: Is the spare parts for these helicopters and the imminent replacement is necessary. Croatia received a total of 16 OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters from the US Army in 2016. The donation of the rotorcraft was worth $ 14.5 million, and covered the acquisition of 16 Kiowa Warrior examples, three simulators and spares. Training of Croatian instructors and maintenance personnel was valued at $ 3.8 million and provided by certified civilian contractors under US funding. In 2020 Croatian Air Force has achieved full operational capability for AGM-114 Hellfire missiles on its OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters after first ordering
6840-760: Is the world's 127th largest country. Elevation ranges from the mountains of the Dinaric Alps with the highest point of the Dinara peak at 1,831 metres (6,007 feet) near the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina in the south to the shore of the Adriatic Sea which makes up its entire southwest border. Insular Croatia consists of over a thousand islands and islets varying in size, 48 of which are permanently inhabited . The largest islands are Cres and Krk , each of them having an area of around 405 square kilometres (156 square miles). The hilly northern parts of Hrvatsko Zagorje and
7011-516: The 6 January Dictatorship in 1929. The dictatorship formally ended in 1931 when the king imposed a more unitary constitution. The HSS, now led by Vladko Maček , continued to advocate federalisation, resulting in the Cvetković–Maček Agreement of August 1939 and the autonomous Banovina of Croatia . The Yugoslav government retained control of defence, internal security, foreign affairs, trade, and transport while other matters were left to
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7182-580: The Allies . With Allied support in logistics, equipment, training and airpower, and with the assistance of Soviet troops taking part in the 1944 Belgrade Offensive , the Partisans gained control of Yugoslavia and the border regions of Italy and Austria by May 1945. Members of the NDH armed forces and other Axis troops, as well as civilians, were in retreat towards Austria. Following their surrender, many were killed in
7353-698: The Communists , but having a degree of autonomy within the federation. In 1967, Croatian authors and linguists published a Declaration on the Status and Name of the Croatian Standard Language demanding equal treatment for their language. The declaration contributed to a national movement seeking greater civil rights and redistribution of the Yugoslav economy, culminating in the Croatian Spring of 1971, which
7524-868: The Croatian Ministry of Defence announced it had restarted the MiG-21 replacement procurement program, and issued a request for proposals for up to 12 aircraft to five countries: Greece, Israel and the United States for the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon , Sweden for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen , and South Korea for the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle . In October 2017, the Ministry announced it had received four letters of intent for up to 18 aircraft from
7695-589: The Croatian National Revival , a political and cultural campaign advocating the unity of South Slavs within the empire. Its primary focus was establishing a standard language as a counterweight to Hungarian while promoting Croatian literature and culture. During the Hungarian Revolution of 1848 , Croatia sided with Austria. Ban Josip Jelačić helped defeat the Hungarians in 1849 and ushered in
7866-608: The Erdut Agreement of November 1995, concluding with the UNTAES mission in January 1998. Most sources number the war deaths at around 20,000. After the end of the war, Croatia faced the challenges of post-war reconstruction, the return of refugees, establishing democracy, protecting human rights, and general social and economic development. The 2000s were characterized by democratization, economic growth, structural and social reforms, and problems such as unemployment, corruption, and
8037-552: The Falanga missile pylons were moved from the fuselage to the wingtips. The tail rotor was moved from the right to the left side of the tail, and the rotation direction reversed. The tail rotor now rotated up on the side towards the front of the aircraft, into the downwash of the rotor, which increased its efficiency. A number of other design changes were made until the production version Mi-24A ( izdeliye 245 ) entered production in 1970, obtaining its initial operating capability in 1971 and
8208-664: The Great Turkish War (1683–1698), Slavonia was regained, but western Bosnia , which had been part of Croatia before the Ottoman conquest, remained outside Croatian control. The present-day border between the two countries is a remnant of this outcome. Dalmatia , the southern part of the border, was similarly defined by the Fifth and the Seventh Ottoman–Venetian Wars . The Ottoman wars drove demographic changes. During
8379-911: The Illyrian Provinces . In response, the Royal Navy blockaded the Adriatic Sea , leading to the Battle of Vis in 1811. The Illyrian provinces were captured by the Austrians in 1813 and absorbed by the Austrian Empire following the Congress of Vienna in 1815. This led to the formation of the Kingdom of Dalmatia and the restoration of the Croatian Littoral to the Kingdom of Croatia under one crown. The 1830s and 1840s featured romantic nationalism that inspired
8550-726: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It is believed that Indian losses were considerably reduced by the heavy fire support from their Mi-24s. The Indians lost no Mi-24s in the operation, as the Tigers had no weapons capable of downing the gunship at the time. Since 14 November 1995, the Mi-24 has been used by the Sri Lanka Air Force in the war against the LTTE liberation group and has proved highly effective at providing close air support for ground forces. The Sri Lanka Air Force operates
8721-533: The MiG-21 , An-32 , CL-215 , An-2 , UTVA 75 , Mi-24 , Mi-8 , MD 500 . The rank insignia of commissioned officers . The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel . Croatia – in Europe (green & dark grey) – in the European Union (green) Croatia ( / k r oʊ ˈ eɪ ʃ ə / , kroh- AY -shə ; Croatian : Hrvatska , pronounced [xř̩ʋaːtskaː] ), officially
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#17328439699628892-528: The OECD Council decided to open accession negotiations with Croatia. Throughout the accession process, Croatia was to implement numerous reforms that will advance all spheres of activity – from public services and the justice system to education, transport, finance, health, and trade. In line with the OECD Accession Roadmap from June 2022, Croatia will undergo technical reviews by 25 OECD committees and
9063-405: The RPG-7 , originally developed as an antitank weapon, was the first effective countermeasure to the Hind. The RPG-7, not designed for air defence, had inherent shortcomings in this role. When fired at the angles needed to hit aerial targets, the back-blast could easily wound the shooter, and the inevitable cloud of smoke and dust made it easy for gunners to spot the shooter's position. From 1986,
9234-426: The Republic of Croatia (Croatian: Republika Hrvatska listen ), is a country in Central and Southeast Europe , on the coast of the Adriatic Sea . It borders Slovenia to the northwest, Hungary to the northeast, Serbia to the east, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro to the southeast, and shares a maritime border with Italy to the west. Its capital and largest city, Zagreb , forms one of
9405-416: The Roman Empire . Emperor Diocletian was native to the region. He had a large palace built in Split , to which he retired after abdicating in AD 305. During the 5th century, the last de jure Western Roman Emperor Julius Nepos ruled a small realm from the palace after fleeing Italy in 475. The Roman period ends with Avar and Croat invasions in the late 6th and first half of the 7th century and
9576-413: The Russian Air Force announced it would replace its Mi-24 fleet with Mi-28Ns and Ka-52s by 2015. However, after the successful operation of the type in Syria it was decided to keep it in service and upgrade it with new electronics, sights, arms and night vision goggles. The core of the aircraft was derived from the Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name "Hip") with two top-mounted turboshaft engines driving
9747-418: The Sabor (parliament) and a Ban (viceroy) appointed by the king. This period saw the rise of influential nobility such as the Frankopan and Šubić families to prominence, and ultimately numerous Bans from the two families. An increasing threat of Ottoman conquest and a struggle against the Republic of Venice for control of coastal areas ensued. The Venetians controlled most of Dalmatia by 1428, except
9918-410: The Schengen Area , NATO , the United Nations , the Council of Europe , the OSCE , the World Trade Organization , a founding member of the Union for the Mediterranean , and is currently in the process of joining the OECD . An active participant in United Nations peacekeeping , Croatia contributed troops to the International Security Assistance Force and was elected to fill a non-permanent seat on
10089-445: The Strela and Redeye which had either been captured from the Soviets or their Afghan allies or were supplied from Western sources. Many of them came from stocks that the Israelis had captured during wars with Soviet backed states in the Middle East. Owing to a combination of the limited capabilities of these early types of missiles, poor training and poor material condition of the missiles, they were not particularly effective. Instead,
10260-433: The Trump administration halted the arms deal citing Israel's refusal to comply with the U.S. arms transfer guidelines. According to the guidelines, all modifications done to the planes need to be removed before the transfer of ownership is completed (i.e., return the jets to factory conditions). Croatian government officials stated that Croatia will only accept planes that were agreed upon in the tender. On 27 December 2018,
10431-405: The United Nations Security Council in the 2008–2009 term for the first time. Croatia is a developed country with an advanced high-income economy and ranks highly in the Human Development Index . Service , industrial sectors , and agriculture dominate the economy . Tourism is a significant source of revenue for the country, with nearly 20 million tourist arrivals as of 2019. Since
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#173284396996210602-506: The United Nations Security Council in the 2008–2009 term for the first time, assuming the non-permanent seat in December 2008. On 1 April 2009, Croatia joined NATO . A wave of anti-government protests in 2011 reflected a general dissatisfaction with the current political and economic situation. The protests brought together diverse political persuasions in response to recent government corruption scandals and called for early elections. On 28 October 2011 MPs voted to dissolve Parliament and
10773-480: The United States Congress gave the go ahead to complete the arms deal under the condition that the planes are returned to factory conditions. On 29 December 2018, Večernji list reported that the Croatian government unofficially bailed out of the tender leaving Israel and the United States to work out their dispute. On 10 January 2019, it was officially confirmed that the procurement had fallen through. The Croatian government announced that it will officially abolish
10944-437: The Yugoslav death march of Nazi collaborators . In the following years, ethnic Germans faced persecution in Yugoslavia , and many were interned. The political aspirations of the Partisan movement were reflected in the State Anti-fascist Council for the National Liberation of Croatia , which developed in 1943 as the bearer of Croatian statehood and later transformed into the Parliament in 1945, and AVNOJ —its counterpart at
11115-408: The city-state of Dubrovnik , which became independent. Ottoman conquests led to the 1493 Battle of Krbava field and the 1526 Battle of Mohács , both ending in decisive Ottoman victories. King Louis II died at Mohács, and in 1527, the Croatian Parliament met in Cetin and chose Ferdinand I of the House of Habsburg as the new ruler of Croatia, under the condition that he protects Croatia against
11286-486: The war against Communist guerrillas in the Peruvian highlands, mainly against Shining Path . Despite the conflict continuing, it has decreased in scale and is now limited to the jungle areas of Valley of Rivers Apurímac , Ene and Mantaro (VRAEM). The Mi-24 was also heavily employed by the Iraqi Army during their invasion of Kuwait, although most were withdrawn by Saddam Hussein when it became apparent that they would be needed to help retain his grip on power in
11457-402: The 11th century during the reigns of Petar Krešimir IV (1058–1074) and Dmitar Zvonimir (1075–1089). When Stjepan II died in 1091, ending the Trpimirović dynasty, Dmitar Zvonimir's brother-in-law Ladislaus I of Hungary claimed the Croatian crown. This led to a war and personal union with Hungary in 1102 under Coloman . For the next four centuries, the Kingdom of Croatia was ruled by
11628-409: The 12 Dassault Rafale fighters landed at Pleso Air Base , marking a great leap in the capabilities of aerial warfare for Croatia. According to the commander of the Croatian Air Force Michael Križanec, the planes have the same standard of equipment and capabilities as the French. He noted that the planes, as far as the main combat systems, such as the one for self-protection, are completely identical to
11799-539: The 16th century, Croats from western and northern Bosnia , Lika , Krbava , the area between the rivers Una and Kupa , and especially from western Slavonia , migrated towards Austria . Present-day Burgenland Croats are direct descendants of these settlers. To replace the fleeing population, the Habsburgs encouraged Bosnians to provide military service in the Military Frontier . The Croatian Parliament supported King Charles III 's Pragmatic Sanction and signed their own Pragmatic Sanction in 1712 . Subsequently,
11970-705: The 2000s, the Croatian government has heavily invested in infrastructure, especially transport routes and facilities along the Pan-European corridors . Croatia has also positioned itself as a regional energy leader in the early 2020s and is contributing to the diversification of Europe's energy supply via its floating liquefied natural gas import terminal off Krk island, LNG Hrvatska . Croatia provides social security , universal health care , and tuition-free primary and secondary education while supporting culture through public institutions and corporate investments in media and publishing . Croatia's non-native name derives from Medieval Latin Croātia , itself
12141-421: The 4th Brigade, after which the pilots transferred to the Croatian Air Force, and the paratroopers remained as a sabotage group within the 4th Guards Brigade . A total of 24 fighters passed through the Sinj group; 5 were killed, one was missing (fighting on Kupres), two died, and during the war four of them suffered serious wounds. From the beginning of the war until February 7, 1992, the platoon operated with
12312-524: The 4th Guards Brigade, when the first department fell under the Croatian Air Force, and the second remained with the guardsmen. The most important was the independent air platoon Osijek, founded on October 8, 1991 by one of the "fathers" of the Croatian Air Force and a hero of the Homeland War, Marko Živković, who was killed in action on December 2, 1991 with the rest of the aircraft crew. The Independent Air Platoon Osijek supplied weapons and medical supplies to
12483-675: The British-led Operation Barras against West Side Boys . Guinea also used its Mi-24s against the RUF on both sides of the border and was alleged to have provided air support to the LURD insurgency in northern Liberia in 2001–03. Twelve Mi-24s were delivered to Croatia in 1993, and were used effectively in 1995 by the Croatian Army in Operation Storm against the Army of Krajina . The Mi-24
12654-613: The CIA began supplying the Afghan rebels with newer Stinger shoulder-launched, heat-seeking SAMs. These were a marked improvement over earlier weapons. Unlike the Redeye and SA-7, which locked on to only infrared emissions, the Stinger could lock onto both infrared and ultraviolet emissions. This enabled the operator to engage an aircraft from all angles rather than just the tail and made it significantly more resistant to countermeasures like flares. In addition
12825-646: The Communist Party fragmented along national lines, with the Croatian faction demanding a looser federation. In the same year, the first multi-party elections were held in Croatia, while Franjo Tuđman 's win exacerbated nationalist tensions. Some of the Serbs in Croatia left Sabor and declared autonomy of the unrecognised Republic of Serbian Krajina , intent on achieving independence from Croatia. As tensions rose, Croatia declared independence on 25 June 1991. However,
12996-743: The Contras. A third Mi-25 was damaged while pursuing Contras near the Honduran border, when it was intercepted by Honduran F-86 Sabres and A-37 Dragonflies . A fourth was flown to Honduras by a defecting Sandinista pilot in December 1988. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (1987–90) in Sri Lanka used Mi-24s when an Indian Air Force detachment was deployed there in support of the Indian and Sri Lankan armed forces in their fight against various Tamil militant groups such as
13167-627: The Croatian Air Force will reach its initial operational capability on Rafale as early as the end of 2025. The protection of the sovereignty of Croatian airspace is carried out by Croatian Rafale multirole fighter jets, but temporarily the Rafale don't participate in Quick Reaction Alert so as not to affect the intensity of pilot training and flight safety. This task will be temporarily carried out from air bases of neighboring allied countries Italy and Hungary. Previous notable aircraft operated were
13338-427: The Croatian Air Force. Armaments and equipment for the Croatian Air Force were purchased abroad in secret operations – namely, it was forbidden to export weapons to the territory of the former Yugoslavia affected by the war – they were purchased abroad; in the first place, Soviet-made combat aircraft were acquired for the handling of which Croatian pilots and technical personnel were trained during their earlier service in
13509-534: The Croatian Sabor and a crown-appointed Ban. In April 1941, Yugoslavia was occupied by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy . Following the invasion, a German-Italian installed puppet state named the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) was established. Most of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the region of Syrmia were incorporated into this state. Parts of Dalmatia were annexed by Italy , Hungary annexed
13680-658: The Croatian throne. In October 1918, the State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs , independent from the Habsburg Empire , was proclaimed in Zagreb, and in December 1918, it merged into the Kingdom of Yugoslavia . Following the Axis invasion of Yugoslavia in April 1941, most of Croatia was incorporated into a Nazi-installed puppet state, the Independent State of Croatia . A resistance movement led to
13851-805: The Ethiopians to retake the Ogaden by the beginning of 1978. The Libyan air force used Mi-24A and Mi-25 units during their numerous interventions in Chad's civil war . The Mi-24s were first used in October 1980 in the battle of N'Djamena , where they helped the People's Armed Forces seize the capital. In March 1987, the Armed Forces of the North , which were backed by the US and France, captured
14022-525: The European Union on 1 July 2013. Croatia was affected by the 2015 European migrant crisis when Hungary's closure of borders with Serbia pushed over 700,000 refugees and migrants to pass through Croatia on their way to other EU countries. On 19 October 2016, Andrej Plenković began serving as the current Croatian Prime Minister. The most recent presidential elections, held on 5 January 2020, elected Zoran Milanović as president. On 25 January 2022,
14193-547: The French ones, and that the Croatian Rafale can, as he stated, "use and fire all types of weapons like the French". He did not want to reveal in detail what types of ordnance the planes would be armed with. Križanec stated that the Rafale will be accompanied by "a complete set of weapons for all types of defensive and offensive tasks" for "all types of ranges" and confirmed that cruise missiles are being procured. Križanec claims that
14364-479: The JNA. The first 3 fighter planes were flown to air bases under the supervision of the Croatian authorities by former JRZ pilots: Danijel Borović, Ivica Ivandić and Ivan Selak. One source claims that the procurement of aircraft for the Croatian Air Force was carried out through Ukraine. In late 1993 and early 1994, 40 MIG-21 aircraft produced between 1972 and 1980 were acquired from the former Central Asian republics of
14535-731: The Krajina were forced to flee or were expelled by Croatian forces, though on a restricted scale and in lesser numbers. The Croatian Government publicly deplored these practices and sought to stop them, indicating that they were not a part of the Government's policy. On 15 January 1992, Croatia gained diplomatic recognition by the European Economic Community , followed by the United Nations. The war effectively ended in August 1995 with
14706-758: The Mi-24 also protected convoys, using rockets with flechette warheads to drive off ambushes; performed strikes on predesignated targets; and engaged in "hunter-killer" sweeps. Hunter-killer Mi-24s operated at a minimum in pairs, but were more often in groups of four or eight, to provide mutual fire support. The Mujahideen learned to move mostly at night to avoid the gunships, and in response the Soviets trained their Mi-24 crews in night-fighting, dropping parachute flares to illuminate potential targets for attack. The Mujahideen quickly caught on and scattered as quickly as possible when Soviet target designation flares were lit nearby. The war in Afghanistan brought with it losses by attrition. The environment itself, dusty and often hot,
14877-441: The Mi-24 proved to be very destructive. The rebels called the Mi-24 " Shaitan-Arba (Satan's Chariot)". In one case, an Mi-24 pilot who was out of ammunition managed to rescue a company of infantry by maneuvering aggressively towards Mujahideen guerrillas and scaring them off. The Mi-24 was popular with ground troops, since it could stay on the battlefield and provide fire as needed, while "fast mover" strike jets could only stay for
15048-422: The Mi-24. Mil engineers prepared two basic designs: a 7-ton single-engine design and a 10.5-ton twin-engine design, both based on the 1,700 hp Izotov TV3-177A turboshaft . Later, three complete mock-ups were produced, along with five cockpit mock-ups to allow the pilot and weapon station operator positions to be fine-tuned. The Kamov design bureau suggested an army version of their Ka-25 ASW helicopter as
15219-597: The Mi-25s leading the attack and using their massive firepower to suppress Iranian air defences, and the Gazelles using their HOT missiles to engage armoured fighting vehicles . These tactics proved effective in halting Iranian offensives, such as Operation Ramadan in July 1982. This war also saw the only confirmed air-to-air helicopter battles in history with the Iraqi Mi-25s flying against Iranian AH-1J SeaCobras (supplied by
15390-469: The MiG-21 goes down in history, and its era ends and a new era of the Rafale begins. The Croatian Air Force was the last European and NATO user of the MiG-21 aircraft. For a short period Croatian airspace will be covered in cooperation with partner countries, Italy and Hungary . After more than 10 years in the Croatian service and great success in Operation Storm , the government finally decided to retire
15561-450: The Mil helicopters, particularly the Mi-24, suffered from a design flaw in the configuration of their engines that made them highly vulnerable to the Stinger. The Mi-24, along with the related Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters, had its engines placed in an inline configuration in an attempt to streamline the helicopter to increase speed and minimize the aircraft's overall frontal profile to incoming fire in
15732-586: The Nicaraguan Army during the civil war of the 1980s. Nicaragua received 12 Mi-25s (some sources claim 18) in the mid-1980s to deal with " Contra " insurgents. The Mi-25s performed ground attacks on the Contras and were also fast enough to intercept light aircraft being used by the insurgents. The U.S. Reagan Administration regarded introduction of the Mi-25s as a major escalation of tensions in Central America. Two Mi-25s were shot down by Stingers fired by
15903-548: The Ottoman Empire while respecting its political rights. Following the decisive Ottoman victories, Croatia was split into civilian and military territories in 1538. The military territories became known as the Croatian Military Frontier and were under direct Habsburg control. Ottoman advances in Croatia continued until the 1593 Battle of Sisak , the first decisive Ottoman defeat, when borders stabilised. During
16074-627: The Republic of Croatia. On October 17, 1990, an air combat group was formed at the Sinj sports airport on Piket as the nucleus of the future Croatian Air Force. It was formed by the pilots of the aero-clubs of Sinj and Split; Matko Raos, Goran Kovačević, Nediljko Ivačić and Mladen Krstulović, as well as the then secretary of the Secretariat for National Defense of the Municipality of Sinj, Branimir Petričević, and
16245-481: The Soviet Mi-8 and Mi-24 helicopters proved to be favorite targets of the rebels. It is difficult to find the total number of Mi-24s used in Afghanistan. At the end of 1990, the whole Soviet Army had 1,420 Mi-24s. During the Afghan war, sources estimated the helicopter strength to be as much as 600 units, with up to 250 being Mi-24s, whereas a (formerly secret) 1987 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) report says that
16416-495: The Soviets in 1983, 1984, and 1985 after ordering them in the aftermath of 1981 Paquisha conflict with Ecuador . Seven more second hand units (4 Mi-24D and 3 Mi-25D) were obtained from Nicaragua in 1992. These have been permanently based at the Vitor airbase near La Joya ever since, operated by the 2nd Air Group of the 211th Air Squadron. Their first deployment occurred in June 1989 during
16587-671: The US bid was dismissed for being too expensive, and the F-16 Block 30 offered by Greece was dismissed for being too outdated. Further reports insinuate the Israeli offer is leading for being most price-competitive, as well as opening up additional opportunities for defence cooperation. On 29 March 2018, the Croatian Government unanimously adopted a decision on the procurement of 12 F-16 C/D Barak Block 30 aircraft from Israel for 2.9 billion kunas (around 420 million euros ). Besides 12 jets,
16758-473: The US government through the allocation of a US$ 53 million grant. Banožić said there were plans to procure another eight Black Hawk helicopters. In 2024 Croatia has officially purchased eight additional UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, bringing the country’s Black Hawk fleet total to 12. Although the MiG-21 was perceived as an outdated fighter by the Croatian Air Force even in the late 1990s, budget constraints have been continuously deferring any final decision on
16929-555: The USSR, of which 24 were included in the squadrons and 16 were used as spare parts supplies. In mid-1993, 15 Mil Mi-24 fighter helicopters were acquired. Other sources claim that the procurement of weapons and aircraft - including transport helicopters of Soviet origin - was carried out in covert operations through connections in Russia. Part of the dealings was also to man Mi-24 combat helicopters with Russian pilots as Croatian Air Force didn't have
17100-477: The Ukrainian firm Ukrspecexport will provide Croatia with 8 single-seat and 4 twin-seat upgraded MiG-21 aircraft. Due to their condition only 7 of these will be refurbished Croatian air frames and the remaining 5 will be used aircraft which are owned by Ukrspecexport. These were to remain in service until the end of 2022 and the decision on the replacement fighter type was to be made by the end of 2019. In July 2017,
17271-520: The United States before the Iranian Revolution ) on several separate occasions. In November 1980, not long after Iraq's initial invasion of Iran, two Iranian SeaCobras engaged two Mi-25s with TOW wire-guided antitank missiles. One Mi-25 went down immediately, the other was badly damaged and crashed before reaching base. The Iranians repeated this accomplishment on 24 April 1981, destroying two Mi-25s without incurring losses to themselves. One Mi-25
17442-508: The United States, Israel and Greece offering various F-16 variants, as well as Sweden offering an unknown Saab JAS 39 Gripen variant. South Korea did not place a bid in the tender. In November 2017, Croatian media announced the offers from Sweden for the Saab JAS 39 Gripen and Israel for a mixed-fleet of A/B and C/D General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants had been downselect from the four received letters of intent. According to reports,
17613-446: The Yugoslav level. Based on the studies on wartime and post-war casualties by demographer Vladimir Žerjavić and statistician Bogoljub Kočović , a total of 295,000 people from the territory (not including territories ceded from Italy after the war) died, which amounted to 7.3% of the population, among whom were 125–137,000 Serbs, 118–124,000 Croats, 16–17,000 Jews, and 15,000 Roma. In addition, from areas joined to Croatia after
17784-432: The acquisition of a new fighter type. As Croatia was no longer facing any military threat, serious talks were started with Israeli firms to extensively upgrade the fleet of 24 MiG-21bis/UM fighters to a "Lancer 3" standard instead of buying a completely new combat aircraft. Although the initial information suggested that such a decision was practically final, no agreement was reached. By late 2002 all 24 MiG-21s were reaching
17955-459: The aftermath of the war. In the ensuing 1991 uprisings in Iraq , these helicopters were used against dissidents as well as fleeing civilian refugees. Three Mi-24Vs owned by Sierra Leone and flown by South African military contractors , including Neall Ellis , were used against RUF rebels. In 1995, they helped drive the RUF from the capital, Freetown . Neall Ellis also piloted a Mi-24 during
18126-511: The capabilities as Yugoslav People's Army before the war didn't have such weapon systems part of it armed forces. During 1995, in the decisive liberation actions of the Croatian Armed Forces, the Croatian Air Force proved that it had become an important combat component of the Croatian Armed Forces. At that time, among other things, airspace protection actions, assault operations and landings of infantry units were carried out After 2003,
18297-536: The capabilities of the Air Force. The deal is to be worth some €999 million (U.S. $ 1.2 billion) and, in addition to the aircraft, it will cover weapon systems, spare parts, logistics and training. Croatia received the first of twelve Dassault Rafale combat aircraft from France on 2 October, during a ceremony at the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace: AAE) base at Mont-de-Marsan. On 25 April 2024, 6 of
18468-637: The country as a unitary state and abolition of Croatian Parliament and historical administrative divisions effectively ended Croatian autonomy. The new constitution was opposed by the most widely supported national political party—the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS) led by Stjepan Radić . The political situation deteriorated further as Radić was assassinated in the National Assembly in 1928, culminating in King Alexander I 's establishment of
18639-418: The country's primary subdivisions , with twenty counties . Other major urban centers include Split , Rijeka and Osijek . The country spans 56,594 square kilometres (21,851 square miles), and has a population of nearly 3.9 million. The Croats arrived in modern-day Croatia in the late 6th century, then part of Roman Illyria . By the 7th century, they had organized the territory into two duchies . Croatia
18810-638: The country. The Mi-25 saw considerable use by the Iraqi Army during the long war against Iran. Its heavy armament caused severe losses to Iranian ground forces during the war. However, the Mi-25 lacked an effective anti-tank capability, as it was only armed with obsolete 9M17 Skorpion missiles. This led the Iraqis to develop new gunship tactics, with help from East German advisors. The Mi-25s would form "hunter-killer" teams with French-built Aérospatiale Gazelles , with
18981-633: The creation of the Socialist Republic of Croatia , which after the war became a founding member and constituent of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia . On 25 June 1991, Croatia declared independence , and the War of Independence was successfully fought over the next four years. Croatia is a republic and has a parliamentary system . It is a member of the European Union , the Eurozone ,
19152-486: The deal included two flight simulators , training for its pilots and maintenance staff in Israel , aircraft weapons, a package of spare parts and equipment for ground support, infrastructure construction and adaptation, and three years of support, including the presence of Israeli instructors in Croatia. The first two jets were expected to be delivered in 2020, and the rest by 2022. On 6 December 2018, Israeli media reported that
19323-540: The defenders of Vukovar and carried out attacks on enemy positions during the battle of Vukovar with improvised bombs (the so-called boiler bomb), inflicting great moral and material losses on the JNA and the rebel Serbs. The first combat operations are carried out with ultralight aircraft, which, armed with eight bombs of 3-4 kg caliber, of domestic design, attack from low altitudes at dusk or at night. Combat operations are also carried out by UTVA 75 aircraft, which are armed with four M79 Osa and various bombs. The attack
19494-840: The destruction of almost all Roman towns. Roman survivors retreated to more favourable sites on the coast, islands, and mountains. The city of Dubrovnik was founded by such survivors from Epidaurum . The ethnogenesis of Croats is uncertain. The most accepted theory, the Slavic theory, proposes migration of White Croats from White Croatia during the Migration Period . Conversely, the Iranian theory proposes Iranian origin, based on Tanais Tablets containing Ancient Greek inscriptions of given names Χορούαθος , Χοροάθος , and Χορόαθος (Khoroúathos, Khoroáthos, and Khoróathos) and their interpretation as anthroponyms of Croatian people. According to
19665-450: The development of the twin-engine design. Work proceeded under Mil until his death in 1970. Detailed design work began in August 1968 under the codename Yellow 24. A full-scale mock-up of the design was reviewed and approved in February 1969. Flight tests with a prototype began on 15 September 1969 with a tethered hover, and four days later the first free flight was conducted. A second prototype
19836-541: The draft of the strategic defence review, the Croatian government announced that no new tactical transport aircraft would be purchased before 2020 leaving Croatia reliant on its NATO partners for fixed-wing transport. Pilot training is conducted on several types of aircraft. Croatia has ordered ten Bell 206B-3 JetRangers , worth $ 15 million with training and support, for initial-entry helicopter pilot training in its air force in 1996. Since being delivered in 1997 two were lost in accidents. Training of pilots from other countries
20007-564: The emperor pledged to respect all privileges and political rights of the Kingdom of Croatia , and Queen Maria Theresa made significant contributions to Croatian affairs, such as introducing compulsory education. Between 1797 and 1809, the First French Empire increasingly occupied the eastern Adriatic coastline and its hinterland, ending the Venetian and the Ragusan republics , establishing
20178-467: The end of their service lives and it was decided that the fleet be overhauled and lightly upgraded in Romania . A first squadron of 12 aircraft was therefore sent for 10-year life prolongation repair to Aerostar after which the second squadron was to follow. But after the first squadron arrived to Croatia, no further moves were made in order to revamp the second squadron. As the fleet of 12 overhauled MiG-21s
20349-561: The enemy to deploy these weapons effectively. These reduced the Stinger threat, but did not eliminate it. Mi-24s were also used to shield jet transports flying in and out of Kabul from Stingers. The gunships carried flares to blind the heat-seeking missiles. The crews called themselves "Mandatory Matrosovs ", after a Soviet hero of World War II who threw himself across a German machine gun to let his comrades break through. According to Russian sources, 74 helicopters were lost, including 27 shot down by Stinger and two by Redeye. In many cases,
20520-416: The entire attack helicopter squadron is to be revived in 2015 with the acquisition of up to 16 OH-58D . The helicopter fleet was equipped mainly with Russian-built Mi-17s and its derivates. The fleet included three Mi-8 and 11 Mi-8MTV-1 (also known as Mi-17-1V) cargo helicopters, which underwent overhauls between 2003 and 2005. A batch of 6 Mi-8MTV-1 underwent an overhaul again in 2013 and 2014, while
20691-417: The final decision will be made by the end of 2020. In late May 2021 Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announced the purchase of twelve used French Dassault Rafale aircraft to replace its MiG-21 fighters. Croatia has begun the process of acquiring 12 multi-role Dassault Rafale fighters (10 single-seat and 2 two-seat aircraft). Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated that the purchase will significantly increase
20862-781: The flat plains of Slavonia in the east which is part of the Pannonian Basin are traversed by major rivers such as Danube , Drava , Kupa , and the Sava . The Danube, Europe's second longest river, runs through the city of Vukovar in the extreme east and forms part of the border with Vojvodina . The central and southern regions near the Adriatic coastline and islands consist of low mountains and forested highlands. Natural resources found in quantities significant enough for production include oil, coal, bauxite, low-grade iron ore, calcium, gypsum, natural asphalt, silica, mica, clays, salt, and hydropower. Karst topography makes up about half of Croatia and
21033-555: The full implementation of the declaration only came into effect after a three-month moratorium on the decision on 8 October 1991. In the meantime, tensions escalated into overt war when the Serbian-controlled Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) and various Serb paramilitary groups attacked Croatia. By the end of 1991, a high-intensity conflict fought along a wide front reduced Croatia's control to about two-thirds of its territory. Serb paramilitary groups then began
21204-473: The fuselage, accessible to the gunner through a narrow crawl-way. The experiment was highly unsuccessful, as the space was cramped, full of engine exhaust fumes, and otherwise unbearable. During a demonstration, an overweight Soviet Air Force general got stuck in the crawl-way. Operational Mi-24s were retrofitted with rear-view mirrors to help the pilot spot threats and take evasive action. Besides protecting helicopter troop assaults and supporting ground actions,
21375-467: The ground and engaged more laterally, popping up to only about 200 ft (61 m) in order to aim rockets or cannons. Countermeasure flares and missile warning systems would be installed in all Soviet Mil Mi-2 , Mi-8, and Mi-24 helicopters, giving pilots a chance to evade missiles fired at them. Heat dissipation devices were also fitted to exhausts to decrease the Mi-24's heat signature. Tactical and doctrinal changes were introduced to make it harder for
21546-522: The helicopter's camouflage scheme, and " Drinking Glass " (Russian: Стакан , romanized: Stakan ), because of the flat glass plates that surround earlier Mi-24 variants' cockpits . During the early 1960s, it became apparent to Soviet designer Mikhail Mil that the trend towards ever-increasing battlefield mobility would result in the creation of flying infantry fighting vehicles , which could be used to perform both fire support and infantry transport missions. The first expression of this concept
21717-684: The helicopters with their armour and durable construction could withstand significant damage and able to return to base. Mi-24 crews carried AK-74 assault rifles and other hand-held weapons to give them a better chance of survival if forced down. Early in the war, Marat Tischenko, head of the Mil design bureau visited Afghanistan to see what the troops thought of his helicopters, and gunship crews put on several displays for him. They even demonstrated manoeuvres, such as barrel rolls , which design engineers considered impossible. An astounded Tischenko commented, "I thought I knew what my helicopters could do, now I'm not so sure!" The last Soviet Mi-24 shot down
21888-659: The inefficiency of public administration. In November 2000 and March 2001, the Parliament amended the Constitution, first adopted on 22 December 1990, changing its bicameral structure back into its historic unicameral form and reducing presidential powers. Croatia joined the Partnership for Peace on 25 May 2000 and became a member of the World Trade Organization on 30 November 2000. On 29 October 2001, Croatia signed
22059-530: The inevitable disputes over actual kill numbers makes it unclear if one gunship had a real technical superiority over the other. Iraqi Mi-25s also claimed 43 kills against other Iranian helicopters, such as Agusta-Bell UH-1 Hueys . In general, the Iraqi pilots liked the Mi-25, in particular for its high speed, long range, high versatility and large weapon load, but disliked the relatively ineffectual anti-tank guided weapons and lack of agility. Mi-25s were also used by
22230-515: The leading power in aerial firefighting on the Mediterranean in respect to its population and surface. The Croatian Air Force holds a world record of 160 water drops by a single crew on a single day, representing an average of one drop every three minutes for the duration of eight hours. In 2006, a deal to deliver 10 new Mi-171Sh transport-attack helicopters was signed with Russia, itself a partial payment for an old Russian debt. The order itself
22401-531: The limited capabilities of the aircraft, all flights were carried out up to 50 meters in altitude and in the greatest secrecy. Intensive training and retraining of pilots for the An-2 aircraft, which will become the basic aircraft of the Croatian Air Force, will soon begin, especially for the transport of the wounded and medical supplies. Later, as the war progressed, MiG-21 fighter jets , Mi-24 combat helicopters , and Mi-8 and Mi-17 transport helicopters became part of
22572-406: The matter. While the panel's opinions were mixed, supporters of the project eventually held sway and a request for design proposals for a battlefield support helicopter was issued. The development and use of gunships and attack helicopters by the US Army during the Vietnam War convinced the Soviets of the advantages of armed helicopter ground support, and fostered support for the development of
22743-439: The migration and settlement of the Slavs/Croats was in the late 6th and early 7th century. Eventually, a dukedom was formed, Duchy of Croatia , ruled by Borna , as attested by chronicles of Einhard starting in 818. The record represents the first document of Croatian realms, vassal states of Francia at the time. Its neighbor to the North was Principality of Lower Pannonia , at the time ruled by duke Ljudevit who ruled
22914-408: The missiles in 2017. During a training flight over the Adriatic Sea in 2020, a Croatian OH-58D struck the water and two pilots lost their lives. Croatia has so far procured a total of four UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters as part of a project for the equipment of the Croatian Armed Forces, which started in December 2018 in cooperation with the US government . The first two helicopters were donated by
23085-463: The northern Croatian regions of Baranja and Međimurje . The NDH regime was led by Ante Pavelić and ultranationalist Ustaše , a fringe movement in pre-war Croatia. With German and Italian military and political support, the regime introduced racial laws and launched a genocide campaign against Serbs , Jews , and Roma . Many were imprisoned in concentration camps ; the largest was the Jasenovac complex . Anti-fascist Croats were targeted by
23256-433: The number of Mi-24s in theatre increased from 85 in 1980 to 120 in 1985. In April 1979, Mi-24s were supplied to the Afghan government to deal with Mujahideen guerrillas. The Afghan pilots were well-trained and made effective use of their machines, but the Mujahideen were not easy targets. The first Mi-24 to be lost in action was shot down by guerrillas on 18 July 1979. Despite facing strong resistance from Afghan rebels,
23427-443: The operator of material and technical means in the same Secretariat, Neven Bazina, formed an air combat group. The commander of this group was Matko Raos, now a retired brigadier. The group expanded and operated independently until April 28, 1991, when they officially received the status of an independent air platoon as part of the newly established 4th Brigade of the Croatian National Guard. Until January 3, 1992, they were part of
23598-446: The planned successor to the Mi-24, the Mil Mi-28, in favour of an engine placement more akin to Western attack helicopters which vents the exhaust gasses into the helicopter's main rotor wash to dissipate heat. Initially, the attack doctrine of the Mi-24 was to approach its target from high altitude and dive downwards. After the introduction of the Stinger, doctrine changed to " nap of the earth " flying, where they approached very low to
23769-435: The protests gradually subsided. President Ivo Josipović agreed to a dissolution of Sabor on Monday, 31 October and scheduled new elections for Sunday 4 December 2011. On 30 June 2011, Croatia successfully completed EU accession negotiations. The country signed the Accession Treaty on 9 December 2011 and held a referendum on 22 January 2012, where Croatian citizens voted in favor of an EU membership. Croatia joined
23940-461: The regime as well. Several concentration camps (most notably the Rab , Gonars and Molat camps) were established in Italian-occupied territories, mostly for Slovenes and Croats. At the same time, the Yugoslav Royalist and Serbian nationalist Chetniks pursued a genocidal campaign against Croats and Muslims , aided by Italy. Nazi German forces committed crimes and reprisals against civilians in retaliation for Partisan actions, such as in
24111-536: The reign of Mislav , or his successor Trpimir I . The native Croatian royal dynasty was founded by duke Trpimir I in the mid 9th century, who defeated the Byzantine and Bulgarian forces. The first native Croatian ruler recognised by the Pope was duke Branimir , who received papal recognition from Pope John VIII on 7 June 879. Tomislav was the first king of Croatia , noted as such in a letter of Pope John X in 925. Tomislav defeated Hungarian and Bulgarian invasions. The medieval Croatian kingdom reached its peak in
24282-521: The remaining 8 units are to follow in 2014 and 2015. The Croatian Ministry of Defence was considering the option of selling all Mi-8 helicopters upon overhaul and replacing them with up to 15 UH-60L after 2017. Croatia had transferred 14 helicopters: twelve Mi-8MTV-1 and two Mi-8T, which were withdrawn from the Armed Forces of Croatia to Ukraine as part of military aid in 2023. The Croatian Air Force operated two Antonov An-32B tactical transports (built in 1991 and 1993) until 2013. Both aircraft underwent
24453-413: The rest of the mainland by territorial waters , but separated on land by a short coastline strip belonging to Bosnia and Herzegovina around Neum . The Pelješac Bridge connects the exclave with mainland Croatia. The territory covers 56,594 square kilometres (21,851 square miles), consisting of 56,414 square kilometres (21,782 square miles) of land and 128 square kilometres (49 square miles) of water. It
24624-412: The rotor would still be level when the aircraft was on the ground, making the rest of the airframe tilt to the left. The tail was also asymmetrical to give a side force at speed, thus unloading the tail rotor. A modified Mi-24B, named A-10, was used in several speed and time-to-climb world record attempts. The helicopter had been modified to reduce weight as much as possible—one measure was the removal of
24795-416: The same design principles and was also built as a high-speed, high-agility attack helicopter with limited troop transport capability using many components from the existing Sikorsky S-61 . The S-67, however, was never adopted for service. Other Western equivalents are the Romanian Army's IAR 330 , which is a licence-built armed version of the Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma , and the MH-60 Direct Action Penetrator,
24966-413: The same time. Converting a UH-1 into a gunship meant stripping the entire passenger area to accommodate extra fuel and ammunition, and removing its troop transport capability. The Mi-24 was designed to do both, and this was greatly exploited by airborne units of the Soviet Army during the 1980–89 Soviet–Afghan War . The closest Western equivalent was the American Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk , which used many of
25137-445: The sea moderates temperature highs. Consequently, temperature peaks are more pronounced in continental areas. Mil Mi-24 The Mil Mi-24 ( Russian : Миль Ми-24 ; NATO reporting name : Hind ) is a large helicopter gunship , attack helicopter and low-capacity troop transport with room for eight passengers. It is produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and was introduced by the Soviet Air Force in 1972. The helicopter
25308-409: The second-largest contributors to the Partisan movement after Serbs. In per capita terms, Croats contributed proportionately to their population within Yugoslavia. By May 1944 (according to Tito), Croats made up 30% of the Partisan's ethnic composition, despite making up 22% of the population. The movement grew fast, and at the Tehran Conference in December 1943, the Partisans gained recognition from
25479-430: The status of corpus separatum previously introduced in 1779. After Austria-Hungary occupied Bosnia and Herzegovina following the 1878 Treaty of Berlin , the Military Frontier was abolished. The Croatian and Slavonian sectors of the Frontier returned to Croatia in 1881, under provisions of the Croatian–Hungarian Settlement. Renewed efforts to reform Austria-Hungary , entailing federalisation with Croatia as
25650-403: The stub wings. The previous official speed record was set on 13 August 1975 over a closed 1,000 km (620 mi) course of 332.65 km/h (206.70 mph); many of the female-specific records were set by the all-female crew of Galina Rastorguyeva and Lyudmila Polyanskaya. On 21 September 1978, the A-10 set the absolute speed record for helicopters with 368.4 km/h (228.9 mph) over
25821-557: The tender of 14 January 2019. On 2 April 2020, the revised program to replace MiG-21s was delayed indefinitely due to COVID-19 pandemic . In the aftermath of Croatian parliamentary election of 2020 new-old Plenković led government continued the program. In September of same year the commission dealing with the acquisition had announced that they have received four official offers of acquisition; used Israeli F-16 , used French Dassault Rafale, new F-16V and new Swedish JAS Gripen C/D . Croatian Defence Minister Mario Banožić announced that
25992-441: The territories between the Drava and Sava rivers, centred from his fort at Sisak . This population and territory throughout history was tightly related and connected to Croats and Croatia. Christianisation of Croats began in the 7th century at the time of archon Porga of Croatia , initially probably encompassed only the elite and related people, but mostly finished by the 9th century. The Frankish overlordship ended during
26163-420: The villages of Kamešnica and Lipa in 1944. A resistance movement emerged. On 22 June 1941, the 1st Sisak Partisan Detachment was formed near Sisak , the first military unit formed by a resistance movement in occupied Europe . That sparked the beginning of the Yugoslav Partisan movement, a communist, multi-ethnic anti-fascist resistance group led by Josip Broz Tito . In ethnic terms, Croats were
26334-405: The war that required the precision and range the missile offered and a need to keep to stocks of anti tank missiles in Europe. After the Mujahideen got access to more advanced anti aircraft weapons later in the war the Shturm was used more often by Mi-24 units. Combat experience quickly demonstrated the disadvantages of having an Mi-24 carrying troops. Gunship crews found the soldiers a concern and
26505-412: The war, a total of 32,000 people died, among whom 16,000 were Italians and 15,000 were Croats. Approximately 200,000 Croats from the entirety of Yugoslavia (including Croatia) and abroad were killed in total throughout the war and its immediate aftermath, approximately 5.4% of the population. After World War II , Croatia became a single-party socialist federal unit of the SFR Yugoslavia , ruled by
26676-437: The work De Administrando Imperio written by 10th-century Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII , Croats arrived in the Roman province of Dalmatia in the first half of the 7th century after they defeated the Avars . However, that claim is disputed: competing hypotheses date the event between the late 6th-early 7th (mainstream) or the late 8th-early 9th (fringe) centuries, but recent archaeological data has established that
26847-471: Was a mock-up unveiled in 1966 in the experimental department of the Ministry of Aircraft's factory number 329, where Mil was head designer. The mock-up designated V-24 was based on another project, the V-22 utility helicopter, which never flew. The V-24 had a central infantry compartment that could hold eight troops sitting back to back, and a set of small wings positioned to the top rear of the passenger cabin, capable of holding up to six missiles or rockets and
27018-473: Was also downed by an IRIAF F-14A . The Iraqis hit back, claiming the destruction of a SeaCobra on 14 September 1983 (with YaKB machine gun), then three SeaCobras on 5 February 1984 and three more on 25 February 1984 (two with Falanga missiles, one with S-5 rockets). A 1982 news article published on the Iraqi Observer claimed an Iraqi Mi-24D shot down an Iranian F-4 Phantom II using its armaments, either antitank missiles, guns or S-5 unguided rockets. After
27189-399: Was built, followed by a test batch of ten helicopters. Acceptance testing for the design began in June 1970, continuing for 18 months. Changes made in the design addressed structural strength, fatigue problems and vibration levels. Also, a 12-degree anhedral was introduced to the wings to address the aircraft's tendency to Dutch roll at speeds in excess of 200 km/h (124 mph), and
27360-439: Was cancelled. At the Kabul air base, members of the Croatian Aviation Advisory Team conducted training and mentored Afghan helicopter pilots, aviation technicians and flight technicians on the Mi-17 helicopter. Two aircraft were deployed to Kosovo , participating in NATO peace-keeping operation. Overhaul of 10 Mi-171Sh was completed in 2017. The Mi-171Sh helicopters will have their resources expire in 2026 and 2027. A big problem
27531-499: Was considered but has not been exercised. The Croatian Air Force should receive a new training plane after one was destroyed in a tragic accident near Zadar in 2020. The backbone of the training fleet, however, is built around 14 Pilatus PC-9M advanced trainers which also constitute the most numerous type of aircraft in Croatian service. 3 former RAAF PC-9A examples were converted to PC-9M standard immediately upon delivery in 1996. 17 more were ordered in 1997 and entered full service
27702-406: Was done mainly at night, from low altitudes from the direction that is least defended. One of the most significant combat actions of UTVA 75 was the attack on the RTV transmitter Čelavac, which was temporarily disabled by this attack. UTVA 75 was hit by infantry fire on that occasion, but as there was no significant damage, the pilots safely returned from the mission. Due to the enemy's air defense and
27873-413: Was during the night of 2 February 1989, with both crewmen killed. It was also the last Soviet helicopter lost during nearly 10 years of warfare. Mi-24s passed on to Soviet-backed Afghan forces during the war remained in dwindling service in the grinding civil war that continued after the Soviet withdrawal. Afghan Air Force Mi-24s in the hands of the ascendant Taliban gradually became inoperable, but
28044-423: Was established on 12 December 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence . The cornerstone of the Croatian Air Force was the establishment of an aviation group at the Command of the National Guard Corps . The basic idea was to gather pilots and other airmen who had left the JNA , to provide professional assistance to the ZNG units, and to create a unified system of ground observation, reporting and air defence of
28215-422: Was first internationally recognized as independent on 7 June 879 during the reign of Duke Branimir . Tomislav became the first king by 925, elevating Croatia to the status of a kingdom . During the succession crisis after the Trpimirović dynasty ended, Croatia entered a personal union with Hungary in 1102. In 1527, faced with Ottoman conquest , the Croatian Parliament elected Ferdinand I of Austria to
28386-399: Was given to making the Mi-24 fast. The airframe was streamlined, and fitted with retractable tricycle undercarriage landing gear to reduce drag. At high speed, the wings provide considerable lift (up to a quarter of total lift). The main rotor was tilted 2.5° to the right from the fuselage to compensate for translating tendency at a hover. The landing gear was also tilted to the left so that
28557-441: Was officially accepted into the state arsenal in 1972. In 1972, following completion of the Mi-24, development began on a unique attack helicopter with transport capability. The new design had a reduced transport capability (three troops instead of eight) and was called the Mi-28 , and that of the Ka-50 attack helicopter, which is smaller and more maneuverable and does not have the large cabin for carrying troops. In October 2007,
28728-511: Was originally planned to remain active only until late 2011, Croatia was eyeing a replacement aircraft already by late 2008. It was projected that a new type be selected by late 2009 and that the first aircraft start entering service by 2011. Such plans were put into question by the global economic crisis which severely affected the Croatian economy and in late 2010 it was officially unveiled that no new aircraft were envisaged to enter service. The Defence Ministry finally announced in June 2013 that
28899-558: Was rough on the machines; dusty conditions led to the development of the twin PZU ('PyleZashchitnoe Ustroystvo') air intake filters. The rebels' primary air-defence weapons early in the war were heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft cannons, though anything smaller than a 23 millimetre shell generally did not do much damage to an Mi-24. The cockpit glass panels were resistant to 12.7 mm (.50 in calibre) rounds. The rebels also quickly began to use Soviet-made and US shoulder-launched, man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) missiles such as
29070-472: Was suppressed by Yugoslav leadership. Still, the 1974 Yugoslav Constitution gave increased autonomy to federal units, basically fulfilling a goal of the Croatian Spring and providing a legal basis for independence of the federative constituents. Following Tito's death in 1980, the political situation in Yugoslavia deteriorated. National tension was fanned by the 1986 SANU Memorandum and the 1989 coups in Vojvodina, Kosovo, and Montenegro . In January 1990,
29241-448: Was worth $ 66 million. The new type differs from the ones already in service in having a cargo ramp instead of clamshell doors, larger side doors, flare dispensers, additional armour around the cockpit and cargo compartment, night vision device equipment, door gunner posts, rocket launchers etc. The entire squadron of 10 helicopters entered service by July 2008. Two additional VIP helicopters were planned for 2009 but their acquisition
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