In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the formation of the Croatian army along with the Croatian Statehood day and both the Croatian army day and Croatian armed forces day, an event was held on May 30, 2026 at ŠRC Jarun. This is a recreation and water sports centre in the south west suburbs of Zagreb. Chris Lofting was on hand for Aeroresource to report on this unique event in Croatia.

This report will concentrate on the aviation aspect of the event but it should also be noted that the event also had a heavy army and waterborne aspect.

On static display were a large selection of army vehicles and the lake was busy with assault craft and amphibious vehicles going in and out off the beaches. A live aerial feed from a Bayraktar TB2 (unmanned aerial vehicle) operating overhead could also be seen. 

As well as thousands of Croatian citizens, this high profile event was also attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić and Chief of the General Staff General Tihomir Kundid. Even with all the officialdom it was very relaxed with lots of family interactive exhibits providing a good insight into a possible career in the armed forces. Unfortunately missing this year were any static helicopters which have been present at previous events. 

Although an annual event it was still announced at reasonably short notice, a common theme in Croatia, although a lot of preparation will have taken place putting the air assets together. This years air display which lasted from 1730-1900 involved six other countries with the USA, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Hungary and France participating. 

From a photographic point of view it is a little challenging with the sun facing the general public from the main viewing area. That said, it is possible to move around the entire park to find better spots. Also some rehearsals on the preceding days take place early in the morning providing photographers with some different opportunities. 

The first rehearsal was on the preceding Thursday morning around 1000L. First up a Mi-171sh from Lučko did a paradrop followed by a UH-60M also from Lučko which did two practice displays in coordination with a Special Forces assault team on the ground. Friday morning saw the same with a UH-60M was joined by a pair of OH-58Ds flying top cover. Friday afternoon was also a full rehearsal of the other assets. 

On the Saturday the main event started with the Mi-171sh paradrop and then the Special Forces demonstration with UH-60M and OH-58D followed by an Austrian PC-7 solo display. A solo display by a Croatian Zlin242L followed which was possibly the most enjoyable display of the event; hats off to the pilot. He had repositioned from Zadar to Zagreb airport and flew from there but returned direct back to Zadar after his display. A spectacular water drop demonstration from a Croatian AT-802 Air Tractor and Canadair CL-415 followed. On the Saturday both dropped their water at the same time but on the Friday rehearsal only the CL-415 dropped water. They both flew direct from Zadar and returned there. This was followed by a Slovenian PC-9 solo display. Next was a unique mixed helicopter flypast lead by a Croatian UH-60M followed by a Hungarian H145M, a Slovenian AS532 Cougar and a USAF HH-60W from Aviano. Next up were the Krila Oluja PC-9 team flying direct from Zadar. The climax to the show was some fast jet action. First up was the rehearsal of a single Croatian Rafale which lead a pair of Italian Eurofighters for a flypast. This was followed by a second pair of Croatian Rafales which tore through the display line together providing a tactical demonstration before one single jet was left to rip up the sky. For the main event on the Saturday this section was slightly better with a pair of Croatian Rafales leading a surprise pair of French Rafales along with the same pair of Italian Eurofighters. 

For some of the foreign participants, attending the show was a considerable effort. The French Rafales flew direct from France with support provided by an A330-MRTT which held in a race track pattern to the south of Croatia before returning with them. The Italian Eurofighters flew direct from Istrana. The Austrians and Slovenians flew from their own countries. The Aviano HH-60W and Hungarian H-145M had positioned at nearby Lučko and after the flypast on Saturday both returned home. It was only 90 minutes of action but it was an captivating 90 minutes. 

The accompanying pictures were mostly taken on the rehearsal days when there was more sun to be had. 

Aircraft participating on the main event on Saturday in running order. Serials and call signs where known. 

Special Forces demonstration 
Mi-171sh 223 KOBRA20
UH-60M 232 HAWK
OH-58D 328 RAVEN

Solo displays
PC-7 3HFC ASF81
Zlin242L 402 ROBIN02

Firefighting demonstration 
CL-415 844 SWAN01 formation 
AT802 896 (892 on Friday)  

Solo display
PC-9 L9-69 LSV961

Mixed helicopter flypast
UH-60M 231 HAWK formation
H-145M 07 (as RONIN07 back to Hungary)
AS532 H3-74 ( as LSV374 back to Cerklje)
HH-60W 19-14490 AV (as JOLLY11 back to Aviano)

Krila Oluja formation display
PC-9s 064, 061, 059, 068, 055 SHARK (just a pair on the Friday 064 068)

Fast jet flypast 
Rafales 156/152 KNIGHT01 formation 
Eurofighter MM7298 51-98, MM7299 51-99
Rafales 133 5-GL, 360 30-SI

Tactical demonstration 
Rafales 151/153 KNIGHT11/12

Words and image copyright: Chris Lofting

You can find out more about the event from the official army website here: Thousands Gather at Jarun to Mark the 35th Anniversary of the Croatian Armed Forces and Croatia’s Statehood Day – MORH

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