Croatia says it has response as defence minister warns of Serbia’s military build-up

(Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)

ZADAR, 3 October 2026 — Croatia has signed more than €200 million worth of defence contracts with domestic companies over the past year as it continues the modernisation of its armed forces, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said in Zadar on Friday.

Speaking at the international defence industry conference EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future, Anušić also addressed the changing security situation in south-eastern Europe, saying Croatia was monitoring Serbia’s military development and that Zagreb was working to maintain a balance of capabilities in the region.

The conference, organised by the ALAN Agency and the Croatian Defence Industry Competitiveness Cluster, brought together representatives of the defence and security sectors from Croatia and abroad. The event focused on European defence readiness, new technologies, defence industry development and the changing geopolitical environment.

€200 million in contracts

Anušić said the Croatian Ministry of Defence had signed contracts worth more than €200 million with Croatian companies during the past year for equipment and the improvement of the country’s defence systems.

He said Croatian defence companies were increasingly selling products internationally and developing high-tech and innovative solutions for the armed forces.

According to Anušić, mapping carried out by the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Chamber of Economy identified 208 Croatian companies with defence production capabilities.

He said Croatia wanted to be more than a buyer of military equipment and to develop domestic capabilities that could also compete on international markets.

Anušić also pointed to lessons from the war in Ukraine, saying modern warfare differed significantly from the conflicts of the 1990s and that these developments needed to be taken into account in the ongoing modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces.

The government has described the current programme as a major modernisation of the military, beginning with the Croatian Air Force and continuing with the remaining branches of the armed forces.

Focus on regional security

A significant part of Anušić’s address focused on security developments in Croatia’s neighbourhood.

He said Serbia had been significantly increasing its military capabilities over the past decade and described the security environment in the region as complicated.

Anušić said Croatia had already been working on the procurement of the Chunmoo long-range multiple rocket launcher system, and said the system would soon enter service with the Croatian Armed Forces.

(Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)

He presented the acquisition as part of Croatia’s efforts to maintain a balance of military capabilities in south-eastern Europe.

His comments followed wider discussions at the conference about European defence readiness and the need for European countries to strengthen their defence capabilities amid a changing security environment. The European Union’s Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 similarly calls for member states to address capability gaps and increase joint defence procurement.

Anušić also said Croatia would continue working with regional partners, naming Kosovo and Albania, and stressed the importance of cooperation with allies.

(Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)

Growing role for Croatian defence industry

The minister said increased investment in defence was also creating opportunities for Croatian companies and the wider economy.

Croatian defence companies have expanded beyond the domestic market, while the government is seeking greater involvement from local industry in the modernisation of the armed forces.

The Zadar conference brought together government institutions, armed forces, defence companies, technology firms and academic representatives to discuss the future of European defence and Croatia’s role in the emerging defence industry landscape.

(Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)

The conference was held under the patronage of the Croatian Government and included a panel on European security in the new geopolitical environment. Participants included Kosovo Defence Minister Ejup Maqedonci, Croatian Armed Forces Major General Denis Tretinjak, former Montenegrin foreign minister Ranko Krivokapić and Heiko Borchert, co-director of the Defense AI Observatory.