Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić said on Sunday that NATO member states would continue monitoring Croatian airspace until the end of this year, or at the latest the beginning of next year, by which time Croatia’s ‘Rafale’ aircraft will be fully equipped and the pilots fully trained.

After the presentation of the election program of HDZ’s candidate for Mayor of Osijek, Ivan Radić, Anušić was asked by reporters when Croatia’s newly acquired ‘Rafale’ aircraft would begin guarding Croatian skies. He responded that "all 12 'Rafale' aircraft have arrived and the entire squadron is ready."

He added that Croatian skies are still currently being protected, but that "air-policing" duties would continue to be carried out by allied NATO countries until the end of this year, or early next year at the latest, when Croatia’s 'Rafale' jets would be fully operational and pilots properly trained for their missions — most importantly, the protection of Croatian airspace.