Croatian Army
Croatian Army | |
---|---|
Hrvatska vojska | |
Founded | 1991 |
Country | Croatia |
Type | Army |
Size | 7,073[1] |
Part of | Armed Forces of Croatia |
H/Q | Karlovac |
Motto(s) | "Domovini vjerni" (Faithful to Homeland) |
March | Mi smo garda hrvatska (We are the Croatian guard) |
Anniversaries | 28 May |
Equipment | 75 x MBT[2] 650 x IFV & APC 360 x artillery pieces, mortars |
Engagements | Croatian War of Independence:
Lieutenant General Mladen Kruljac |
Insignia | |
Flag |
The Croatian Army (Croatian: Hrvatska kopnena vojska or HKoV) is the largest and most significant component of the Croatian Armed Forces (CAF).
Role and deployment
The fundamental role and purpose of the Croatian Army is to protect vital national interests of the Republic of Croatia and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.
The Croatian Army's primary tasks are to:[3]
- Defend against possible aggression at strategic operational levels and to defend against any land, air, or amphibious assault, in co-operation with the other branches of the CAF.
- Help allies and friendly countries in time of need.
- Build the capability to carry out non-traditional tasks such as humanitarian support during floods, fires, and other natural disasters.
Recent and current operations
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
The Croatian Army has contributed to the following NATO missions:
- NATO EFP Battlegroups (Lithuania & Poland) - 2017
- Operation Resolute Support (Afghanistan) - since 2015
- NATO International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) (Afghanistan) - from 2003 to 2014
United Nations (UN)
The Croatian Army was involved in the following UN missions as of December 2017:
- UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO): seven military observers
- UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): one staff officer
- UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP): nine military observers
In the past, the Croatian Army has also contributed to:
- UN Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG)
- UN Mission in Support of East Timor (UNMISET)
- UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL)
- UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE)
- UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS)
- UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL)
- UN Mission in Cyprus (UNFICYP)
History
The Croatian Army was formed in the Croatian War of Independence, when, on 3 November 1991, the Croatian National Guard was renamed the Croatian Army.
Numerous Croatian army units arose from the Croatian National Guard, including:
- 1st Croatian Guards Corps
- 1st Guards Brigade (Croatia)
- 2nd Guards Brigade (Croatia)
- 3rd Guards Brigade (Croatia)
- 4th Guards Brigade (Croatia)
- 7th Guards Brigade (Croatia)
- Croatian 104th Brigade
- 204th Vukovar Brigade
The locally based regiments were named the Home Guard Regiments (Domobranska pukovnija). They were created on 24 December 1991, during the war, and ceased to exist in a 2003 reorganization.[4]
Organizational structure and status
The Croatian Army is an all-volunteer force numbering 7,073 active duty personnel and 151 civil servants and employees as of 2020.[5] The Army can also call on 6,000 reserve personnel who serve up to 30 days every year.
The Croatian Army is being reorganized to fit in the NATO doctrine of a small, highly capable force with an emphasis on mobility and versatility.
Major combatant commands of the Croatian Army are one armored and one mechanized brigade, each brigade having a specific role and different responsibilities. In 2012, one motorized infantry company is to be detached and put under the command of the EU Battle Group led by Germany. Between 2003-2014 Croatia deployed 350 personnel in support of NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Croatia achieved NATO membership in April 2009. The defence reforms that Croatia initiated in 2000 have a long-term goal of replacing and modernizing the armed forces to meet the challenges of NATO membership. The plan calls for the modernization of the Army and the introduction of training and doctrine in line with Western (NATO) standards. Replacing ex-Yugoslav/Soviet hardware is also one of the main priorities.
There are various ongoing initiatives, such as the upgrade of the tank fleet, introduction of new
Until less than a decade ago[
In July 2007
In early 2007, Croatia bought 10
Steps have been made to standardize the difficult-to-maintain vehicle inventory of the Croatian military, which is full of various models of different origin, type and age. Starting with 2005, the Army bought 152 light trucks and vehicles, 156 in 2006 with an additional 170 obtained by the end of 2007. All vehicles are from prominent European or Japanese manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Iveco, MAN, Toyota and Nissan. These purchases are an ongoing process seen as roughly 150-180 new terrain vehicles are procured annually.
The Croatian Army is introducing a new assault rifle in 5.56mm NATO caliber to replace large stocks of AK-47 and its derivatives. The chosen model is the locally manufactured
Due to the conflict in Ukraine and intense regional security it has become apparent current Army organization requires significant re-organization. What this re-organization entails will become apparent in next defence white paper later in the year, however current Defence minister outlined some requirements which includes formation of a 3rd (pricuvne = reserve) brigade which will needed to be fully equipped and ready to be deployed at moment's notice. [6] Brigade would be medium mechanized infantry brigade, with equipment donated by US and some of the current equipment relegated to a reserve status, this includes older MRAP vehicles, M1151 vehicles which are going to be replaced by newer counterparts, undisclosed noumber of Stryker probably around 120 vehicles, heavier artillery and light anti aircraft systems.
Order of battle
- Army Aviation Wing - (Lučko)
- Land Forces Command (Karlovac)[7]
- Guards Armoured Mechanized Brigade - (Vinkovci)
- Headquarters Company (Vinkovci)
- Tank Battalion "Kune" (Đakovo)
- Armored Battalion of the Guards Armored Mechanized Brigade
- 1st Mechanized Battalion "Sokolovi" (Našice)
- 2nd Mechanized Battalion "Pume" (Varaždin )
- Mixed Artillery Battalion (Bjelovar)
- Air Defence Battalion (Vinkovci)
- Engineer Battalion (Vinkovci)
- Reconnaissance Company (Vinkovci)
- Signals Company (Vinkovci)
- Logistics Company (Vinkovci)
- Guards Mechanized Brigade - Medium Mechanized Brigade (Knin)
- Headquarters & Headquarters Company
- 1st Mechanized Battalion "Tigrovi" (Petrinja)
- 2nd Mechanized Battalion "Gromovi" (Petrinja)
- 3rd Mechanized Battalion "Pauci" (Knin)
- Motorized Battalion "Vukovi" (Gospić)
- Mixed Artillery Battalion (Karlovac/Slunj)
- Air Defence Battalion (Benkovac)
- Engineer Battalion (Sinj)
- Reconnaissance Company
- Signals Company
- Logistics Company
- Training and Doctrine Command "Fran Krsto Frankopan" (Osijek)
- Command Company (Osijek)
- Infantry Regiment (Petrinja)
- Artillery Regiment (Bjelovar)
- Engineer Regiment (Karlovac)
- River Battalion (Osijek)
- Logistics Regiment (Benkovac)
- Basic Training Centre (Požega)
- Combat Training Center (Slunj)
- Combat Leaders Training Center "Marko Babić" (Udbina)
- Simulation Center (Zagreb)
- International Operations Training Center (Rakitje)
- Guards Armoured Mechanized Brigade - (Vinkovci)
- Military Police Regiment (Ogulin/Karlovac)
- Signals Regiment (Karlovac)
- Military Intelligence Battalion (Zagreb)
- NBC Defence Battalion (Velika Gorica)
- Special Operations Forces Command (Delnice)
- Air Defence Regiment (Zadar)
- Command Battery (Zemunik)
- 1st Mixed Battalion (Zemunik)
- 2nd Mixed Battalion (Udbina)
- 3rd Mixed Battalion (Zagreb)
- Signals Battalion (Velika Gorica)
Training Grounds
- Eugen Kvaternik Training Grounds (Slunj)
- Crvena Zemlja Training Grounds (Knin)
- Gašinci Training Grounds (Đakovo)
Operational art and tactical doctrine
Building on NATO's Partnership for Peace assistance programs and full NATO membership since 2009, the Croatian Army has embraced the alliance concepts of the 24-hour, three-dimensional battlefield and the employment of highly trained and motivated forces equipped to deploy rapidly and operate with flexibility as part of a larger multinational force.[3]
The Croatian Army is also working more closely with the air force and navy, resulting in more multi-phased operations with detailed ground/air coordination, but more needs to be done at all echelons to achieve a deeper level of jointness. In all of these activities, the land forces are in the lead.[3]
Equipment
Modernization plans
In past decade or so, Croatian Army underwent significant changes, modernisation of the armed forces albeit at the much slower pace then anticipated due to economic recession at the start of this decade, caused realignment of Croatia's priorities, Croatia's military subsequently faced significant cutbacks and reduction in expenditure or purchase of new armaments. However, as a result of NATO membership, Croatia agreed to fulfill some of the operational responsibilities towards NATO, this includes formation of two mechanised brigades, with emphasis on equipping both brigades with NATO standard equipment.
Procurement of heavy weapons is still lagging behind due to shortage of funding for the armed forces, however donations by the US Armed Forces have helped Croatia to gap some of the shortfalls. Purchase of 126 Patria AMV APCs allowed for light mechanized brigade to replace old Yugoslav and Soviet era weapon systems that saw little use with in NATO. However, the Heavy Mechanized brigade still relies heavily on Soviet and Yugoslav-era weapons systems and modernization of that brigade is one of the priorities for current government. Equipping the brigade with a modern Infantry Fighting Vehicle such as M2 Bradley, would go long way in fulfilling that task. Modernization of Croatia's M-84 main battle tanks due to significant costs but also lack of interoperability within NATO has been dropped and alternatives are being sought, Leopard 2 most likely being the only choice for the armed forces, however lack of funding ensures this remains only a distant dream at this stage.
Current plans call for establishment of a 3rd mechanized battalion with in Heavy Mechanized Brigade due to NATO requirement for such unit. 60 Additional
The budget should slowly increase due to NATO requirement for all its members to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense. Croatia plans to meet that target by around 2025, by which point Croatian economy is expected to reach around 550 billion kuna or just under $90 billion at current exchange rate. With more funds it is hoped Croatia could modernize most of its armed forces to NATO standard without US assistance by this point. Currently the US has aided Croatian Armed Forces modernization and training in tune of around €120 million per year since 2015 and is expected to increase these slightly in coming years as Croatia is about to purchase UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and number of other systems.
Other programs:
- Equipping motorized infantry Croatian Kuna
- NBC equipment for biological/chemical-decontamination unit – 150 million Croatian Kuna
- Procurement of new army engineering vehicles, armored recovery vehicles, mine clearance vehicles and armored personal vehicles designed to withstand mine blasts – 320 million Croatian Kuna
- Procurement of modern communication and battlefield management systems –
- Procurement of new logistic and amphibious vehicles – 250 million Croatian Kuna
- Procurement of 3-4 Artillery Radars – 30–40 million Croatian Kuna
- Procurement of 8-12 Mobile air defense radars – 200 to 300 million Croatian Kuna
- Procurement of Army Field Hospital - 80 to 100 million Croatian Kuna
- Procurement of 16 Army Tank transporters, Heavy Equipment Transporters – 80 to 100 million Croatian Kuna
- Procurement of Bridge laying equipment – 100 million Croatian Kuna
See also
References
- ^ "OSRH - Glavna".
- ^ "Home – Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ a b c "Jane's by IHS Markit". janes.ihs.com. Retrieved 2018-09-14.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Braniteljski portal - ...Ne pitaj što domovina može učiniti za tebe, nego što ti možeš učiniti za Domovinu..." Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
- ^ "OSRH - Glavna".
- ^ "Vlada Republike Hrvatske - Banožić: Ništa ne može dovesti u pitanje nabavu višenamjenskih borbenih aviona".
- ^ "Request Rejected" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 21, 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2016.
- ^ Petrak, Andrej (2022-10-13). "Banožić se pohvalio: Hrvatska nabavlja francuske protuzračne sustave. Evo koje su opcije u igri". Novi list. Retrieved 2022-10-16.