Passing The Batton - Europe’s last MiG-21’s
To mark the arrival of Croatia’s first Rafales and to say farewell to the MiG-21 Fishbed, a small airshow named AirVG (Velika Gorica) was held at Zagreb/Pleso. Chris Melaisi attended
Making its last stand in Europe, the venerable MiG fighter is fast approaching its final days on the continent. Ever since Romania’s MiG-21 LanceR retirement in May 2023, the Croatian Air Force (CroAF) has been the sole European operator of the type. MiG operations in Croatia began to wind down in 2023 as the country put efforts into securing 12 ex-French Air and Space Force Dassault Rafale B/C’s, with deliveries commencing in 2024. Throughout 2023, pilots and crew spent several months in France for type and role training and have continued to do so since the deliveries of the first Rafales to Croatia on April 25, 2024. The initial delivery consisted of four single-seater Cs and two twin-seat Bs, which arrived from the Dassault Aviation site in Mérignac. These aircraft are now designated as C3R-EC/DC.
Although still flying within Croatia, on average the MiG-21s only fly around 1-2 sorties per week to maintain pilot currency and aircraft airworthiness and to perform air tests. The QRA role is still carried out by the MiGs, with a pair of aircraft usually kept alert 24/7. In recent times, neighbouring countries such as Hungary and Italy have stepped in to cover Croatia’s QRA role when its MiGs haven’t been available due to maintenance and a lack of airworthy frames. The training of a large percentage of aircrew in France for Rafale operations has also hampered availability. The MiG-21s have been operated by the Croatian Air Force since the early 1990s, with 39 airframes active over the past three decades.
The famous Croatian ‘Kockica’ (dice) twin-stick, MiG-21UMD, 165 – was on static display at Zagreb Pleso.
Between 2013 and 2015, Ukraine upgraded 12 aircraft, which formed the full flying fleet between 2015 and the present day. In May 2024, this number dropped to just six airframes, but only 4 have been in active status since the beginning of the year. The current six airframes include 4 MiG-21bisDs and 2 MiG-21UMDs, but only 3 MiG21bisDs – 116, 117 and 118 – and 1 UMD 167, have been seen flying in recent months. The remaining active aircraft fly out of Zagreb’s Franjo Tudjman Airport, known as Pleso, belonging to the 191st Eskadrila Lovackih Aviona (ELA191st Fighter Aircraft Squadron. The aircraft will remain active until Rafale operation is fully operational in Croatia, which is expected in 2024. The AirVG airshow was arranged for the public and families of the military to properly experience the new aircraft and to see the Croatian MiG make its final appearance. To the delight of many, the show focused heavily on the MiG, with three static examples being present. Taking part were one of the six ‘active’ MiG-21bisDs 133, the famous Croatian display jet ‘Kockica’, a MiG-21UMD, 165, and a former Yugoslav Republic MiG-21R, 26112, which defected to Austria. A Rafale was also on static display, with a Dassault C3R-EC placed alongside the MiG, as well various current rotary types in Croatian service. A single MiG-21bisD, 116, performed a dynamic display and then several passes with a C3R-EC to demonstrate the type ‘bowing out’. This was a great opportunity for many to see the aircraft for a final time and to compare the huge differences between the Cold War era MiG and a 21st-century, 4.5-generation fighter. The Rafale went on to perform a tight holding pattern above the airfield before a high-speed pass and break for landing. Other notable flying displays for the event included an entertaining ‘pilot rescue’ role demo performed by two OH-58s and a Mi-171Sh, Wings of Storm with their PC-9Ms and rare solo displays by a Bell 206B and Zlin 242L.
MiG-21bisD ‘116’ displays with C3R Rafale ‘150’ for the first and final time over Zagreb.
It is expected that the MiG will officially continue with Croatia for the remainder of 2024, but flying will be infrequent to keep the airframes and pilots current. The aircraft will step down quietly when the Rafale is fully operational, taking over the QRA role at Pleso. Croatia is long overdue a frontline fastjet upgrade, having been trying to secure a replacement for the MiG-21 from around 2012. The Rafale will be a very welcome sight throughout the country and is expected to remain in service until around 2050.
As well as MiG’s and Rafale’s, Croatia’s Air Force was well represented at the event, including the Air Force display team ‘Wings Of Storm’ with their 6x PC-9M and some rarer displays from training types, such as this Zlin Z-242L
A rare sight was this former Yugoslav Republic MiG-21R, 26112, known as the “Rudijev MiG” - named after Croatian pilot Rudolf Perešin, who defected from the Yugoslav Air Force to Klagenfurt, Austria on October 25, 1991.