Croatia brings forward delivery of Black Hawk helicopters and HIMARS rocket systems

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

ZAGREB, 16 September 2026 – Croatia has agreed with the United States to accelerate the delivery of eight Black Hawk helicopters and eight HIMARS rocket systems, with the equipment now expected to arrive by the end of 2027 or early 2028, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

The original delivery schedule had placed the systems in Croatia in the third quarter of 2028.

Croatian Defence Minister Ivan Anušić reached the agreement during the final day of his working visit to the United States, when he met US representatives responsible for delivering military systems ordered by Croatia at the Yulista Aviation Center of Excellence in Alabama.

The discussions covered Croatia’s procurement of eight Black Hawk helicopters, eight HIMARS systems and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.

The eight Black Hawks for Croatia are currently undergoing final equipment and testing at Yulista. Croatia already operates four Black Hawk helicopters, meaning the additional aircraft will bring the Croatian Air Force’s fleet to 12.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

Anušić said the accelerated delivery would mean Croatia could have both the new Black Hawks and HIMARS systems in service in less than a year and a half.

“The eight Black Hawks we see here are in the final stages of production,” Anušić said during the visit, adding that the helicopters had already been contracted and purchased under agreements between Croatia and the United States.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

Croatian Air Force commander Brigadier General Krešimir Ražov said the helicopters would provide a range of capabilities for the armed forces, including support for ground and naval forces and the Special Operations Command.

Longer-range missiles under discussion

Alongside the accelerated delivery schedule, Croatia is also in the final stages of discussions with the US over missiles with a range of more than 150 kilometres for its HIMARS systems.

Anušić said the US side had indicated there was no obstacle in principle to supplying Croatia with longer-range missiles, although the procurement process and relevant approvals still need to be completed.

Croatia had already said during Anušić’s US visit that it was seeking missiles capable of engaging targets more than 150 kilometres away for HIMARS. The country is also acquiring the Chunmoo rocket system, with missiles with ranges exceeding 300 kilometres discussed as part of its broader defence modernisation programme.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

The latest agreement forms part of Croatia’s wider military modernisation programme, which the Defence Ministry says is focused on strengthening capabilities across all three branches of the Armed Forces.

(Photo: MORH/ J. Šeri)

The US visit also marked 30 years of cooperation between the Croatian Armed Forces and the Minnesota National Guard, a partnership that has included military exercises, training and operational cooperation.