On December 9, 2022, the Government of Croatia announced the purchase of MBDA Mistral 3 French-made air defense missile systems for an amount of €72 million. On November 21, 2021, Croatia had already chosen to buy 12 Rafale fighter aircraft from France.
The contract for the purchase of the Mistral 3 air defense missile systems was signed on Friday, December 9, 2022, by Croatian Defense Minister Mario Banozic and executives of MBDA France. The first deliveries are expected by the beginning of 2024.
In November 2021, France and Croatia signed the Croatian-French Strategic Partnership agreement to strengthen the defense collaboration between the two countries. Based on the acquisition of French Rafale fighter aircraft by Croatia, MBDA already approved a donation of Mistral short-range air defense missile systems to protect the Croatian airbase in which the Rafale aircraft will be stationed.
The Mistral is a MANPADS (Man-portable air-defense system) designed and manufactured by the international defense company MBDA.