Ukraine to receive two AN-32B light cargo aircraft from Croatia in secret aid transfer.

On June 8, 2024, a picture shared by Chris Lofting confirmed a secret military aid delivery from Croatia to Ukraine, involving an AN-32B light cargo aircraft. According to the available information, Croatia has pledged a total of two such planes, with one already confirmed as delivered. The aircraft, photographed at Zagreb International Airport and now marked "36 Blue," was previously part of the Croatian Air Force before being transferred to the Ukrainian State Emergency Service.
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The An-32B, a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft, can carry up to 42 paratroopers, 50 passengers, or 24 casualties on stretchers with medical personnel. (Picture source: Planespotters.net/Chris Lofting)

The AN-32B aircraft has a significant history. Originally designated "727" in the Croatian Air Force, it has now been re-designated as "36 Blue" under the Ukrainian State Emergency Service, part of Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs. The photo shows the aircraft with its new Ukrainian markings, indicating its transition from Croatian to Ukrainian service. This aircraft, along with another, has been in Croatia's fleet since 1995 but was mothballed in 2014 due to high maintenance costs. The Croatian Ministry of Defense has not provided official information regarding the transfer conditions of this aircraft.

The delivery of the AN-32B to Ukraine has been a topic of speculation since the end of last year, with official confirmation only recently emerging. The Croatian Ministry of Defense had declared the details of the plane's transfer a military secret, stating that all decisions about donations of technical and military aid to Ukraine are classified. Despite the lack of official information, the removal of Croatian markings and the recent sighting of the aircraft in Ukraine confirmed the transfer.

The AN-32B, along with its sister aircraft, was acquired by Croatia in the mid-1990s and has seen various missions and incidents during its service with the Croatian Air Force. For example, it was struck by lightning in 2009 while returning from Afghanistan, causing minor damage but no injuries, highlighting the resilience of the AN-32B aircraft. Later, this plane underwent a major overhaul in 2011, extending its service life at a cost of about €1.5 million. Both Croatian AN-32Bs were grounded in 2012 due to maintenance costs and were advertised for sale in 2014, but no buyers were found. Since then, Croatia has relied on helicopters for air transport, as the Ministry of Defense has not announced any plans to acquire new transport aircraft in the near future.

The AN-32B designated '727', along with its sister aircraft designated '707', was acquired by Croatia in the mid-1990s and has been grounded by the Croatian Air Force since 2012 due to maintenance costs. (Picture source: Twitter/Ihor Kozak)

In the area of aviation support, Croatia has provided 14 Mi-8 helicopters decommissioned from the Croatian armed forces, including twelve Mi-8MTV-1s and two Mi-8Ts. Nine of these helicopters were flown to Ukraine in May 2023, while the remaining five were partially dismantled and transported by ground in June 2023. For artillery support, Croatia supplied 15 M-46 130mm field guns in August 2022 and 40 D-30 howitzers before March 2023. Additionally, in April 2023, the country delivered several RAK-SA-12 128mm multiple rocket launchers.

In terms of weapons, the contributions include anti-tank rockets since 2022, 35,000 Zastava M70 assault rifles, and 5,000 FN FAL battle rifles provided in 2022, along with machine guns and ammunition. Man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) have also been part of the aid, with multiple shipments of Strela-2 and Igla systems since early 2022. Moreover, Croatia has supplied tens of millions of small arms ammunition and thousands of grenades since February 2022. There is also an ongoing procurement of 155mm ammunition through the European Defense Agency for future delivery. Miscellaneous equipment such as helmets, ballistic vests, and uniforms was delivered in February 2022.

The Antonov An-32B is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft developed by the Antonov Design Bureau of Ukraine, initially commissioned by the Indian Air Force. Its first flight occurred in July 1976, and it entered service in 1984. Designed as an enhanced version of the An-26, the An-32B features more powerful AI-20DM engines and enhanced wing high-lift devices. This design allows it to operate efficiently from high-altitude airfields, from short and unprepared runways, and in hot climates, making it suitable for various types of missions. Production of the An-32 took place from 1982 to 2012, with a total of 361 units built.

The An-32B can carry up to 42 paratroopers, 50 passengers, or 24 casualties on stretchers with medical personnel. It measures 23.78 meters in length and has a wingspan of 29.2 meters. The aircraft can achieve a maximum takeoff weight of 27 tons and a payload capacity of 6.7 tons. It has several variants, including the An-32P for firefighting and the An-32MP for maritime patrol. The Indian Air Force, a significant operator of the An-32B with a total of 105 aircraft, has upgraded its fleet with the AN-32RE variant, featuring an increased payload capacity, modern avionics, and a new radar.

Originally designated "727" in the Croatian Air Force, this AN-32B has now been re-designated as "36 Blue" under the Ukrainian State Emergency Service, part of Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs. (Picture source: Airliners.net/Oleg V. Belyakov)