The Croatian Air Force has retired its MiG-21 fighter jets from air policing duties, marking the end of an era for the last operational squadron of this aircraft type in Europe. This decision reflects Croatia’s broader modernization efforts as it transitions to Dassault Rafale jets.
As of December 1, 2024, Croatia’s airspace protection, known as air policing, has been temporarily transferred to Italian Eurofighter Typhoons and Hungarian Saab Gripens under NATO agreements. This interim arrangement will continue through the end of 2025, allowing the Croatian Air Force to focus on training its pilots on the newly acquired Rafale fleet.
Soviet-era MiG-21BisD/UMD fighters have been a cornerstone of Croatia’s air defense since the country’s independence, with the first aircraft entering service in 1992. Their retirement, officialized during a ceremony in August 2024, follows a similar phase-out by Romania, which decommissioned its MiG-21 LanceR fleet in May 2023 after more than 60 years of service.
From MiG-21 to Rafale: Croatian Air Force undergoes modernization effort
Croatia is steadily modernizing its air force by procuring 12 second-hand Rafales from France. The French-built Rafales were selected in June 2021 following a competitive tender that included the Saab JAS-39 Gripen, second-hand Israeli F-16 Block 30s, and new Lockheed Martin F-16 Vipers. The first Rafale was handed over to Croatia in October 2023.
The 191st Fighter Squadron, formerly operating the MiG-21s, now flies seven Rafales (five single-seat A and two twin-seat B variants), with the remaining five single-seaters scheduled for delivery by April 2025. The Croatian Air Force’s only fighter squadron is located at Zagreb Airport (ZAG), a joint-use facility.
The retirement of the last active squadron of MiG-21 Fishbed represents a significant milestone in European military aviation. Introduced in the 1950s, this supersonic fighter became one of the most widely produced military aircraft in history and continued to serve with numerous European air forces after the collapse of the Soviet Union. As of 2025, India and Syria remain the largest operators, with 36 and 50 MiG-21s still in service respectively, according to the 2025 World Air Forces directory.