Croatia ready to build warships for Europe’s defence

(Photo credit: MORH/ F. Klen)

SPLIT, 10 March 2025 (Hina) – Following the decision to rearm EU member states, Croatia’s shipbuilding industry has stated that it has the capacity to produce vessels for Europe’s defence system.

Brodosplit has expressed interest in participating and has already strategically positioned itself for this opportunity.

Croatian shipyards possess sufficient capacity and expertise to take on projects within the framework of European defence policy if the need arises, the Ministry of Economy told Hina.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence emphasised that Croatian shipyards are already being utilised for the needs of the Croatian Armed Forces.

“We believe that the potential of Croatia’s shipbuilding industry could also be leveraged for the European defence system,” the ministry stated.

Defence Minister Ivan Anušić announced on Friday that Croatia had sent inquiries to its NATO allies regarding the construction of two corvettes, specifically concerning pricing, delivery timelines, and the possibility of assembling or manufacturing components in Croatian shipyards.

(Photo credit: MORH/ F. Klen)

“Through discussions with their military attachés and ambassadors, we have received confirmation that they are all willing to participate in the construction of corvettes in our shipyards,” Anušić said.

Brodosplit CEO Tomislav Debeljak asserted that the Split-based shipyard is fully equipped to build corvettes.

“Brodosplit has strategically focused on the development of vessels for security and defence purposes and has initiated the offshore patrol vessel project – the BIS 91 corvette,” Debeljak told Hina.

The BIS 91 corvette has been designed as a multi-purpose warship capable of conducting artillery strikes against surface, air, and coastal targets, engaging in medium-range air defence, as well as executing anti-ship and anti-submarine operations.

It is equipped with sophisticated weapon systems, including a bow-mounted gun (76 mm or 57 mm), surface-to-air missiles, long-range anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and remotely operated cannons and machine guns.

“Brodosplit has the capability to design and build sophisticated vessels tailored to the needs of the European defence system,” Debeljak stated, adding that they could also design and construct submarines, such as the former ‘Velebit’.

Brodosplit could offer the market modernised versions of the ‘Una’ class commando submarines, for which India and Egypt have previously expressed interest, as well as the R-1 and R-2 commando submersibles, Debeljak concluded.