The Croatian Ministry of Defense plans to transfer 3rd generation MiG-21 fighter jets to museums and private owners.

Dnevnik reported on this.

After the introduction of French Rafale fighter jets into the Croatian Air Force, all MiG-21s will be withdrawn from operation and transferred to civilian institutions.

At the same time, the Croatian Ministry of Defense does not specify which institutions are referred to, how many aircraft will be transferred to institutions or organizations, and whether there are interested parties for this type of cooperation between the military and civilian sectors.

The previously decommissioned 11 fighter jets are already serving as exhibits throughout Croatia.

Combat pilot Ivan Selak emphasizes that at least one MiG-21 can be extended. He adds that he knows of a dozen possible donors, including highly professional athletes and artists, who are willing to finance the restoration of the aircraft.

At the same time, he points out that his MiG-21 “Osvetnik Dubrovnika” was restored due to his perseverance and the unselfish work of specialists of the aviation enterprise ZTC (ZRAKOPLOVNO-TEHNIČKI CENTAR).

“If it were not for the overtime work of ZTC employees who were not paid for the restoration of ‘my’ MiG, it would have continued to deteriorate after 15 years of rotting on the ice. Moreover, due to the employees, the “Avenger of Dubrovnik” was brought to a pre-flight condition, and its engine was successfully tested, so I am convinced that this plane could have continued to fly,” Selak said.

Previously, the Croatian MiG-21 underwent major repairs and modernization at the Odesa Aviation Plant.

Ukrainian modernization included the replacement of analog onboard systems with digital ones, radar repair, and the installation of GPS navigators and equipment that allows the use of AIM-9 Sidewinder in L and M versions.

Militarnyi recently reported that the Croatian Air Force has received the fourth Dassault Rafale multirole fighter jet.

The country ordered a total of 12 Rafale fighter jets, of which ten in the single-seat C version and two in the two-seat B version. Used combat aircraft in the F3-R variant come from the French Air and Space Force.