Zagreb, 28 April 2025 (Hina/MIA) — Croatia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić said Sunday that NATO member states would continue overseeing Croatian airspace until early next year at the latest, by which time the Rafale aircraft Croatia had ordered and received from France will be fully equipped and their Croatian pilots fully trained.

Speaking after a presentation of HDZ’s candidate for Osijek Mayor Ivan Radić's election platform, Anušić responded to journalists’ questions regarding when Croatia’s newly acquired Rafale jets would begin safeguarding the country's skies.

“All 12 Rafale aircraft have arrived, and the entire squadron is ready,” he said.

According to the defense minister, the jets are already contributing to the protection of Croatian airspace but air policing operations will continue to be carried out by NATO allies until the end of this year, or the beginning of next year at the latest, when Croatia’s Rafale aircraft will be put into operation and piloted by Croatian pilots trained to take over the defense of Croatia's skies. its/mr