Croatia accelerates HIMARS and Black Hawk deliveries, seeks longer-range missiles

Croatia has secured an accelerated delivery schedule for major U.S.-made military systems as Zagreb continues one of the most significant modernization programs of its armed forces in decades.

Eight UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and eight HIMARS rocket systems are now expected to arrive in Croatia by the end of 2027 or in early 2028, according to the Croatian Ministry of Defence.

The systems had previously been scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2028.

Defence Minister Ivan Anušić discussed the procurements with U.S. military representatives during a visit to the Yulista Aviation Center of Excellence in Alabama on September 15.

The talks covered the status of Croatia’s Black Hawk, HIMARS and Bradley infantry fighting vehicle programs.

Anušić said the two sides had specifically worked on accelerating the delivery of the helicopters and rocket systems, allowing Croatia to receive them several months earlier than initially planned.

The eight Black Hawks currently being prepared for Croatia are undergoing final equipment installation and testing at Yulista.

Croatia already operates four Black Hawk helicopters. Once the additional eight aircraft arrive, the Croatian Air Force will operate a fleet of 12 helicopters of the type.

Brigadier General Krešimir Ražov, commander of the Croatian Air Force, said the platform would provide support across several branches of the armed forces, including ground forces, the navy and special operations units.

Talks on longer-range HIMARS missiles

Croatia is also moving toward acquiring longer-range ammunition for its future HIMARS systems.

The Defence Ministry said negotiations are in their final stage for missiles capable of engaging targets at distances of more than 150 kilometers.

Anušić said the U.S. side had indicated that it saw no obstacle in principle to supplying Croatia with longer-range missiles, although the procurement and necessary approvals have not yet been completed.

Croatia had previously confirmed during Anušić’s visit to the United States that it was seeking HIMARS ammunition with a range exceeding 150 kilometers.

The move would significantly expand the Croatian Army’s long-range strike capability compared with its existing artillery systems.

It comes alongside Croatia’s separate procurement of the South Korean Chunmoo multiple-launch rocket system, for which longer-range missile options have also been discussed as part of Zagreb’s broader effort to build deeper precision-strike capabilities.

Wider modernization push

The accelerated U.S. deliveries form part of a broader modernization program that has seen Croatia invest heavily in air, ground and long-range fires capabilities.

The country has already introduced Rafale fighter aircraft into service and is simultaneously expanding its helicopter, armored vehicle, air-defense and rocket artillery fleets.

The addition of HIMARS and longer-range ammunition would give the Croatian Armed Forces a substantially greater ability to engage targets at operational depth, while the expanded Black Hawk fleet will strengthen mobility and support for special operations and conventional forces.

For Zagreb, the revised delivery schedule also means two of its most important U.S. procurement programs could become operational sooner than previously expected.