Historic MiG-21 to stand guard over Dubrovnik on Mount Srđ

MiG on Mount Srđ (Photo: Grad Dubrovnik)

ZAGREB, 29 March (Hina) – The Ministry of Defence has donated a MiG-21 aircraft to Dubrovnik, which will be displayed on Mount Srđ in front of Fort Imperial, a symbol of the city’s defence during the 1991-1995 Homeland War, the city administration announced on Friday.

The agreement was signed in Zagreb on Friday by Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković and authorised representative Spomenka Lešnjaković.

“The MiG-21 UM aircraft has been donated to the City of Dubrovnik free of charge and will be permanently exhibited in front of the Dubrovnik Homeland War Museum.

This step symbolises respect for all those who contributed to the defence of Dubrovnik, as well as for all citizens who laid the foundations for a free Croatia during the Homeland War,” the city stated, adding that funding for transportation and installation has been secured in the city budget.

The city will take possession of the aircraft in its current condition and have it restored. The aircraft will be dismantled, transported to Dubrovnik after restoration and assembled on the Srđ plateau according to the conceptual design. The process is expected to take several months, officials added.

(Photo: Grad Dubrovnik)

Following the procurement of new Rafale fighter jets, the MiG-21 fleet was decommissioned, prompting the City of Dubrovnik to request the donation of a decommissioned aircraft from the Ministry of Defence.

“The placement of the MiG-21 in the planned sculpture park on Mount Srđ carries profound symbolic significance. It was in this area, during the liberation of southern Croatia in 1992, that supersonic aircraft of the Croatian Army were used in combat for the first time, when two MiGs flew over Srđ.

That operation was crucial in liberating the southernmost part of Croatia,” the city administration stated.