The Croatian authorities have already transferred their Mi-8 multipurpose helicopters to Ukraine as part of military aid.
This was stated by US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin during a meeting with his Croatian counterpart Mario Banožić at the Pentagon. The transcript is published on the website of the US Ministry of Defense.
Austin noted that Croatia continues to steadfastly support Ukraine.
– And we see it in your numerous donations of military equipment: these include all your Mi-8 helicopters, and the advanced deployment of your forces as part of NATO battle groups in Poland, Lithuania and Hungary, as well as your donations to humanitarian aid, – the head of the Pentagon emphasized .
He added that all these steps have “real significance in Ukraine’s struggle for freedom.”
In response, Mario Banožić noted that Croatia cooperates with the US on a bilateral basis and through NATO “to defend democratic values and the international order based on rules.”
What is known about receiving helicopters from Croatia
At the end of February, Croatian mass media reported that Croatia was preparing to send 14 transport helicopters to Ukraine: 12 Mi-8 MTV-1 and 2 Mi-8T.
They were withdrawn from service with the Armed Forces of Croatia, after which the helicopters underwent maintenance before departure.
7 helicopters were planned to be transported by land in a partially disassembled state, and the rest were to fly to Poland, from where they were going to be sent to Ukraine.
After that, 10 Mi-171Sh and 4 Black Hawk transport helicopters were to remain in Croatia.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Defense of Croatia confirmed plans to transfer Mi-8 helicopters , which were previously in service with the Croatian army, to Ukraine.
Source: US Ministry of Defense , Jutarnji list