Croatia ‘safe now and in the future’, defence minister tells parliament

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić (Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)

Croatia remains secure and is continuing to strengthen its defence capabilities, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić told parliament on Tuesday during the latest parliamentary question session.

Addressing MPs in the Croatian Parliament, Anušić responded to questions about the introduction of basic military training, youth participation in national service, and the broader security situation in Croatia.

Strong response from young people

The defence minister highlighted a strong response from young Croatians to the introduction of basic military training, describing the level of interest as extremely encouraging.

“Young people understand, they want to serve their homeland and are ready to do so,” Anušić said.

He noted that many countries face political and social challenges in motivating young people to take part in similar programmes, whereas Croatia has seen a significantly more positive response.

According to the minister, the training programme was prepared within a short timeframe, with the necessary legal and organisational frameworks quickly established. Croatia, he said, stands out among NATO and European Union member states for the speed and effectiveness with which the programme has been introduced.

Participants in the programme will also be introduced to modern military technologies, including training in the operation of unmanned systems and drones.

Anušić stressed that these technologies are being developed by Croatian industry and expertise, with production capacities currently expanding.

He thanked everyone involved in the project and praised the young people who have shown interest in taking part, saying they understand the seriousness of the current security environment and their responsibility towards the country.

Historic modernisation of the armed forces

Speaking about Croatia’s wider security outlook, the minister emphasised that national security issues are addressed systematically through state institutions and in cooperation with parliament.

Security matters are regularly discussed within the National Security Council, the Defence Council, and with the government, he explained.

(Photo credit: MORH/ J. Kopi)

Assessments of the security environment and plans for developing defence capabilities are based on long-term strategic documents and ongoing monitoring of global and regional developments.

A central focus of the Ministry of Defence, Anušić said, is strengthening the capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces through a major modernisation programme.

Croatia has begun what the minister described as a historic process of military modernisation, the first of its scale in the country’s history.

The process is expected to be completed by 2030, by which time the Croatian Armed Forces will be fully modernised and equipped to respond to all types of security challenges.

(Photo: MORH/ T. Brandt)

Despite the ongoing upgrades, Anušić said the armed forces are already highly capable and prepared to carry out their missions.

“Croatia is safe and the Croatian people are safe, and that will remain the case in the future,” he concluded.