Croatia signs NATO strategic airlift cooperation agreement at Ankara summit

(Photo: NATO)

Croatia has signed a Letter of Intent on cooperation to strengthen strategic airlift capabilities alongside six NATO allies during the NATO summit in Ankara, Türkiye.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić signed the agreement with the defence ministers of Belgium, Poland, Türkiye, Spain, the United Kingdom and France as part of the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum, which focused on transatlantic defence industry cooperation, investment and innovation.

The initiative aims to enhance strategic air transport capabilities through the use of the Airbus A400M Atlas military transport aircraft. It forms part of NATO’s High Visibility Project (HVP), an instrument designed to accelerate the development of key Allied capabilities.

According to Anušić, Croatia will have no financial commitments or obligations under the project until 2030. After that, the country will decide how it intends to participate.

Speaking to reporters, the minister said Croatia’s future role could involve cooperation with Allied countries that operate A400M aircraft, potentially through agreements supporting the rapid transport of troops and military equipment.

Croatia has adopted NATO’s Strategic Deployment capability target, which includes the ability to transport personnel and military equipment through medium and heavy airlift.

Under the signed Letter of Intent, Croatia will be able to participate in an expert working group and help shape future cooperation arrangements in line with its national interests and priorities.

(Photo: NATO)

Addressing the wider NATO summit, Anušić highlighted three main priorities: increasing defence spending, strengthening the defence industry and continuing support for Ukraine.

He said Croatia had increased defence expenditure to 2.10% of GDP last year while continuing to invest in the domestic defence industry and maintain support for Ukraine.

The minister also announced for the first time that Croatia has exceeded NATO’s target of allocating 1.5% of GDP to defence-related investments outside the military sector.

(Photo: NATO)

According to Anušić, Croatia has reached 1.89%, with investment directed towards military mobility, transport infrastructure, logistics, cooperation with civil protection authorities, healthcare, cyber capabilities, critical infrastructure and other dual-use projects aimed at strengthening national resilience.