Zagreb is strengthening its proximity to France in terms of armaments. Following a €999 million contract for 12 Rafale just a year ago, the Croatian government announces its intention to equip itself with the French Mistral 3 (MISsile TRansportable Anti-aérien Léger) anti-aircraft defense system from MBDA for €72 million. These devices will be used, among other things, to protect the air base where the Croatian Rafales are located.
According to the Croatian newspaper Jutarnji List, this order will include thermal cameras, an encrypted target identification system, and a command and control coordination kit. The first deliveries are scheduled for the end of next year.
This decision to modernize the anti-aircraft defense is based on the accident last March in the Croatian capital of a Russian drone carrying a bomb.
German anti-aircraft shield
Contracts with France could go further. always according to Jutarnji List, the talks with Paris also refer to MBDA’s VL MICA short-range missiles (20 and 30 kilometers). This contract could be signed in 2023 for delivery in 2026.
Announcing its desire to modernize its air defense with French equipment, Croatia told Berlin that it would not join their alliance for the creation of an anti-aircraft shield that brings together 14 NATO member countries (the United Kingdom, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia and Romania).
This circle intends to acquire German Iris-T systems, but above all israeli arrow 3. To date, this contract has not been finalized. Germany has yet to get agreement from the United States. Washington takes time to validate the contract for this system equipped with American technologies.
Source: BFM TV
