Croatia has selected the Rafale for its Air Force, following an international call for tenders as part of its Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program. Dassault Aviation and its partners are delighted with the choice of Croatia as a first-time user of a “Dassault aircraft” and the fifth Rafale export customer, and thank the Croatian authorities for their confidence. They commend the work done by the “France” team in the frame of the call for tenders and actively support the French authorities in finalizing the signature of this contract.
This latest success in a competition between European and U.S. aircraft confirms the technological and operational superiority of the Rafale, latest-generation, combat proven, multirole fighter. It also reinforces the Rafale’s position in the European Air Forces, making an active contribution to European defense sovereignty. The contract between the French and Croatian authorities will cover the acquisition of 12 Rafale previously in service with the French Air Force, as well as fleet support and training.
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation. Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions. The Rafale is referred to as an “omnirole” aircraft by Dassault. The Rafale is almost entirely built by one country, involving most of France’s major defence contractors, such as Dassault, Thales and Safran.
The aircraft is available in three main variants: Rafale C single-seat land-based version, Rafale B twin-seat land-based version, and Rafale M single-seat carrier-based version.Introduced in 2001, the Rafale is being produced for both the French Air Force and the French Navy. The Rafale has been marketed for export to several countries, and was selected for purchase by the Egyptian Air Force, the Indian Air Force, the Qatar Air Force the Hellenic Air Force and the Croatian Air Force. The Rafale has been used in combat over Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq and Syria.
