Croatia sends unique transport aircraft to bolster Ukraine aid
12:02 PM EDT, July 23, 2024
Information emerging in the public space indicates that Croatia has decided to give Ukraine An-32B transport aircraft. This transfer is extremely interesting for several reasons.
Although Croatia openly sides with Ukraine in its war with Russia, aid packages from this southern European country often go unannounced, coming to light only after some time. An example was giving Ukraine all Mi‑8 helicopters, which was praised by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. It is likely that another similar gesture from the Croats is forthcoming.
An-32B from Croatia for Ukraine?
As noted by the Ukrainian portal Defence Express, which specializes in military topics, handing over the An-32B transport aircraft is an unusual form of aid for Ukraine, as there have been no previous cases of the Antonov company's machines being transferred to the defending army.
Croatia has owned two An-32B units since 1995, but they have not been used for several years. One of them was reportedly already transferred to Ukraine, and the other will join it as soon as the necessary repairs are completed.
The An-32B is a twin-engine transport aircraft with a length of over 75 feet and a wingspan of nearly 98 feet. It has a range exceeding 1,200 miles.
It can carry about 50 passengers or 24 wounded on stretchers along with accompanying medical personnel. These features are significant for the Ukrainians, as the Croatian An-32Bs are to be handed over to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Army Recognition notes that Croatia's list of military aid to Ukraine is systematically expanding and includes several interesting items. Besides Mi‑8 helicopters and An-32B transport aircraft, it also contains M-46 field guns of 130 mm caliber, D-30 towed howitzers of 122 mm caliber, Igla and Strela-2 anti-aircraft missile systems, and unusual Rak rocket mortars, whose capabilities were discussed by Lukasz Michalik, a journalist for Wirtualna Polska.
