Croatia and Norway strengthen defence ties amid evolving European security

(Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)

Croatia has expressed a strong interest in deepening defence cooperation with Norway, with a particular focus on closer ties between the two countries’ defence industries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić is on an official visit to the Kingdom of Norway today and tomorrow, accompanied by a delegation that includes the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid.

On Monday, 13 January 2026, Minister Anušić held a bilateral meeting in Oslo with Norway’s Minister of Defence, Tore O. Sandvik. During the visit, the Croatian delegation also toured the Research Centre of the Norwegian defence industry in Horten.

The visit is taking place at the invitation of the Norwegian Minister of Defence and aims to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation between Croatia and Norway.

(Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)

Discussions focused on current and future cooperation opportunities, the security situation in south-eastern Europe and the Arctic region, and the potential for closer links between the two countries’ defence industries.

Minister Anušić highlighted Norway’s long-term and systematic approach to defence, noting that the Norwegian Armed Forces are undergoing intensive modernisation and have never abandoned compulsory military service.

(Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)

“It was a very interesting and useful meeting for both sides. Croatia wants to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with Norway and to connect our defence industries,” Anušić said after the meeting.
“We also exchanged experiences regarding compulsory military training, which Croatia is reintroducing after 17 years. Norway has compulsory military service for both men and women, lasting from six to 18 months, with a 100 per cent response rate.”

Anušić formally invited his Norwegian counterpart to visit Croatia, where he would have the opportunity to see first-hand the capabilities of the Croatian defence industry.

Security in south-eastern Europe was also a key topic of the talks. Minister Anušić emphasised that Croatia continues to play an important role as a factor of stability in this part of Europe.

(Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)

Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid underlined Norway’s forward-looking and structured approach to building the armed forces of the future.

“Norway invests heavily in new technologies, without which modern military operations are unthinkable,” Kundid said.
“Their long-standing experience with compulsory military service is particularly valuable for us, as Croatia is in the process of reintroducing basic military training.”

(Photo: MORH/ F. Klen)

During their visit to the Norwegian defence industry’s Research Centre in Horten, the Croatian delegation was briefed on future maritime counter-mine capabilities, the development of autonomous underwater vehicle technologies, and advanced mine countermeasure systems.

The visit will conclude on Tuesday with a tour of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace ASA, one of Norway’s leading defence and aerospace companies, further underlining Croatia’s interest in expanding industrial and technological cooperation with key European partners.