Armed Forces of Croatia

Defence expenditures in recent years (source Croatian MOD);

Year	Amount (in HRK)	% of GDP	Change in %
2000	4.768 bln[15]	3.13
2010	4.811 bln	1.45	0.07
2011	5.119 bln[16]	1.47	0.02
2015	4.75 bln[17]	1.21	0.04[17]
2016	4.7 bln[17]	1.21	0.04
2017	4.39 bln[18]	1.21	0.04[18]
2018	4.816 bln[19]	1.25	0.04
2019	5.375 bln[19]	1.31	0.03
2020	7.19 bln[19]	1.71	0.40[20]
2021	7.273 bln[19]	1.65	0.06[21][9]
2022	7.568 bln[19]	1.46	0.21[9]"Raste vojni proračun: Zbog NATO-a ćemo na obranu trošiti gotovo 10 milijardi kuna!". Vijesti.hr. 2 December 2019.[21]

• Croatia adopted € and therefore, Kuna is no longer national currency in circulation or used in statistics. As of January 1, 2023 exchange rate for €1 = 7.53 Kuna.

Year	Amount (in Euro)	% of GDP	Change in %
2023	*1.16 bln[19]	1.54	0.09 [9]
2024	*1.25 bln[19]	1.56	0.01
2025	*1.42 bln[19]	1.65	0.09[22][21]

• (*) - projected expenditure
• (**) - proposed expenditure

Although the budget has been decreased in percentage of BDP from year to year, overall budget increased and the Croatian Armed Forces were able to maintain military readiness and to participate in major NATO exercises in Croatia and overseas. Downsizing of the armed forces has allowed for more funds to be allocated to modernization over the past few years with an average of 1.6 billion HRK spent on modernization, infrastructure and construction of new facilities.[23]^[24]

A $3 billion modernization plan was proposed by the then Prime Minister Ivica Račan of the SDP led government in 2003., with planned modernization starting in 2006. and ending in 2015.. However it has been delayed due to the subsequent economic recession that has cost the Croatian MOD several billion HRK since 2006.. A new plan under former Prime Minister Zoran Milanović should define exactly how and what the Croatian armed forces should look like by 2023.. A defense white paper was published in 2015 with emphasis placed on modernization of the Army.

Dr. Franjo Tuđman Military Academy

The Dr. Franjo Tuđman Military Academy, named after Franjo Tuđman, acts as a school of higher learning responsible for training and educating future generations of military personnel. The academy consists of several schools including "Ban Josip Jelačić", "Blago Zadro", "Katarina Zrinska", the Officers Academy, and a school for non commissioned officers. The academy has 300 full-time staff and is the only military academy in Croatia. Each year also 100–120 foreign nationals attend the academy.

Commander

The

The Croatian Parliament exercises democratic control over the Armed Forces by adopting defence strategy, defence budget, and defence laws.

Special Forces Command

The duties of an Honor Guard are performed by the Honor Guard Battalion (Počasno zaštitna bojna), located at Zagreb in the Tuškanac military base.^[27]

Projects

A long term modernization plan for 2015–2024 has been published outlining overall goals and is available for download (102 pages) at the Ministry of Defense of Croatia website. According to earlier reports from the government, the Croatian Armed Forces are set to receive vitally needed new equipment.

Army

• Modernisation of M-84A and M-84A4 Snajper MBTs and upgrade to M-84D standard.^[28] The programme is at a standstill and is unlikely to receive further funding due to high costs involved of nearly 20 million kuna per tank, but overhaul of existing fleet might be completed by the end of 2017 at cost of 120 million kuna (24 vehicles already overhauled at cost of 60 million kuna).
• The Croatian Army is looking at replacing 128 M80A IFV in its inventory, Croatian Army requires 108 vehicles, 88 infantry combat vehicles, 4 driver training vehicles, 8 armoured ambulance vehicles and 8 command vehicles. It was announced that M2 Bradley in M2A2 ODS variant was chosen, 60 + 24 vehicles for spare parts will be delivered in 2020 as a donation from United States and modernised in Croatia by BAE Systems. In 2022 Croatia bought 89 M2 Bradley vehicles.^[29]
• Talks are being held with US and German governments on possible purchase of M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System,^[30] Croatian requirements call for initially 8 systems to form a two battery teams at independent Artillery regiment, with potential for further 16 systems to equip 2 active brigades for total of 24 systems + simulators and training aids. Number of systems Croatian Army might purchase will solely depend on price of the entire purchase and delivery dates, Croatian Defence budget has set aside some 200 million kuna or $32 million for this programme, although it is likely said systems might be donated by the US for symbolic price in turn Croatian MOD paying only VAT.
• The initial order of 8
  Spike launchers in 2019,^[31]
  value of the contract: $14.9 million.
• Scores of smaller programmes, communication equipment, night vision capability, electronic sensors, NBC equipment, battlefield management systems and modernisation of artillery systems with new sights and electronic fire control systems are planned.
• Procurement of advanced short to medium range NATO SAM system. As of now no real funding has been mentioned other than the statement that this project is a priority and current requirements call for one battery. Estimated value – $50–70 million for new system. Alternately a second-hand system might be obtained as a donation by the United States, in which case only the VAT cost will be incurred.
• Procurement of short range SAM systems – no indication of what system or specifications other than a requirement for a range of up to 10 km. Intent is for up to 3 batteries with one battery being ready by 2015/6. Total funding for this programme has not been made public yet, but similar western systems tend to be in range of $17–20 million per battery.

Air Force

• Croatia has a requirement for a small number of fighter aircraft (6-12) to replace the MiG-21. A plan to acquire ex-Israeli F-16C/Ds was cancelled in January 2019 after the United States refused to allow Israel to sell the aircraft.^[32] The Croatian interdepartmental commission for the procurement of multi-purpose combat aircraft has sent requests for proposals (RFP) for two new fighter types (F-16 Block 70/72 and JAS-39C/D) and five second hand fighters types (F-16AM/BM, F-16C/D, F-16 Barak, Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale). Croatia's government said it expects to receive the new offers by May and make the decision by August 2020. In 2021 Croatia bought 12 used Dassault Rafale from France.^[33]
• Purchase of up to 10–12 transport helicopters (after 2020) – replacing older Mi-8. With the Government indicating that purchase of 10 new helicopters might be the only option after 2020. Most likely candidate is the UH-60M since the United States donated two new helicopters^[34] and Croatia decided to purchase additional two.^[35] Programme cost: 2.5 billion kuna.

Navy

Navy plans are still being worked on but present plans call for a moderate expansion of the naval force.

• 5 new patrol boats, locally built, 42 metres in length. Cost of programme 750 million kuna, or 375 million for first 5 ships, first to enter service in 2018.^[36]
• 2 new
  corvettes
  – 80–125 metres in length. Cost of programme 3.0 billion kuna. Programme is at standstill due to lack of funds, feasible only after 2020.
• Overhaul of existing 2 Kralj class fast attack crafts, including new engines. Cost of programme – 40 million kuna.
• Overhaul of sea radar Falcon 2 Enhanced Peregrine – programme is being financed by US government at estimated cost of $8 million.
• Possible purchase of 2nd minesweeper before 2020; although there are only indications that this might happen if funds can be allocated. Programme cost – 80 million kuna.

Arms exports

As a small country, Croatia has a relatively well developed arms industry that is highly competitive internationally with significant annual arms exports. In 2012, Croatia managed to export nearly €120 million.^[37] However it has been reported in The New York Times that Croatia has been arming Syrian rebels with Croatian manufactured arms used during the Homeland War, arms Croatia no longer uses due to their obsolescence. Nevertheless, these arms played a crucial role in some significant rebel gains during 2012.^[38][39] As a result of these arms sales into this volatile region the Croatian government ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Croatian UN Golan Heights contingent to avoid their being targeted in retaliation.

In 2013 Croatia exported €143 million worth of arms,^[40][41] however it is not clear if this also includes $36.5 million worth of arms Croatia exported to Jordan for Syrian rebels. Croatia was the top supplier of arms to Syrian rebels in 2013, but much of it through illicit channels without Croatian government approval or knowledge. Most of these arms were exported via Jordan.^[42]

In 2014 Croatian arms exports reached 1.5 bn HRK (Croatian kuna) or €200 million or $257 million, the majority of exports being to NATO allies and Australia. In late 2014 the Croatian Defence Minister announced a major export deal to Iraq including the State of Kurdistan. This agreement includes the sale of 20,000 VHS Rifles, 150,000 complete sets of uniforms, helmets and associated equipment valued at €100 million.^[43] Croatian arms exports are growing steadily at 10–15% year-on-year and were expected to reach 1.75 billion HRK in 2015 or around €230 million, although much of the equipment exported is non-lethal. Croatian firms are well positioned on some major arms tenders in the Middle East, supplying complex military hardware such as the Patria AMV incorporating a newly developed 30mm overhead weapon station (valued at €1.25 million each) and said vehicles valued at €1.75 million. Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia have been mentioned as potential customers, although no concrete contracts have been signed so far. Croatian firms are participating in Kuwaiti and UAE tenders for next-generation APC programmes, each valued at billions of euros.

Croatian arms exports have grown steadily for the better part of this decade and have reached €325 million per year, placing Croatia in the top 10 arms exporters within NATO, behind the US, Germany, UK, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Poland and Norway. The vast majority of these exports are to NATO partners such as the US, Norway, Australia, Canada, France. Croatia granted €5.75 billion in export licenses in 2016 and 2017; however, only a fraction of this sum has materialised in actual arms exports.^[44]

International cooperation

On 1 April 2009, Croatia joined NATO and on 1 July 2013, it became the 28th member of the European Union. The Croatian Armed Forces participate in many of the (military) aspects of both organisations as well as actively participating in many United Nations peacekeeping operations worldwide.

Gallery

• 
  Parachute jump on the day of the Armed Forces
• 
  Croatian Army soldier with a U.S. Army soldier
• 
  Special operation forces conduct close quarter battle training
• 
  Patria AMV infantry fighting vehicle
• 
  PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer
• 
  MOL coastal anti-ship missile launcher
• 
  Kralj class missile boat
• 
  Mirna class patrol vessel
• 
  Silba class landing ship-minelayer
• 
  Mi-171Sh combat-transport helicopters
• 
  OH-58D observation helicopter
• 
  Bell 206 training helicopter
• 
  Wings of Storm aerobatic team PC-9M aircraft
• 
  CL-415 firefighter

See also

• Croatian military ranks
• Croatian War of Independence
• List of Croatian soldiers
• Military history of Croatia
• Military Security and Intelligence Agency
• Croatian Ministry of Defence
• Orders, decorations, and medals of Croatia

Citations

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References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Military of Croatia.

• Croatian Armed Forces Official website
• Croatian Forces International Volunteers Association official website
• Croatian Military Academy official website
• [1] - Defense planning and procurement.
• [2] - long term planning and long term defense strategy
• Photos BSD
• CROMIL - Croatian military's official English-language magazine