During the transition period, NATO Allies temporarily обеспечed peacetime airspace surveillance and protection for Croatia from neighbouring Italy and Hungary. Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons and Hungarian Air Force Gripen fighters carried out the mission under technical agreements to ensure uninterrupted coverage.
From the start of the new year, the Croatian Air Force now conducts Air Policing on a continuous 24/7 basis under NATO procedures. The handover strengthens NATO’s IAMD by adding a modern and interoperable national capability to the Allied network for detection, identification and response to air threats.
“Since joining the Alliance in 2009, Croatia has been a valued member of NATO,” said Mark Rutte, referring to Croatia’s contribution to collective security across the Alliance. “I also welcome that, as of the 1st of January this year, the Croatian Air Force officially assumed full responsibility for protecting Croatian airspace.”
