Armed Forces of Croatia: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Browse history interactively
VisualWikitext
imported>WereSpielChequers
typo
 
imported>Peripteros
"TO" = teritorijalna obrana (TO) ("Territorial Defense")
 
Line 4: Line 4:
{{Infobox national military
{{Infobox national military
| name = Armed Forces of Croatia
| name = Armed Forces of Croatia
| native_name = {{nativename|hr|Oružane Snage Republike Hrvatske}}
| native_name = {{nativename|hr|Oružane snage Republike Hrvatske}}
| image = [[File: Seal of the Armed Forces of Croatia.png|175px]]
| image = [[File: Seal of the Armed Forces of Croatia.png|250px]]
| caption = Emblem of the Croatian Armed Forces
| caption = Emblem of the Croatian Armed Forces
| founded = {{Start date and age|1991|04|20|df=yes}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|1991|04|20|df=yes}}
Line 16: Line 16:
| commander_title = [[Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (Croatia)|Chief of the General Staff]]
| commander_title = [[Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (Croatia)|Chief of the General Staff]]
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 18 – 30
<!-- Manpower -->| age = 18 – 30
| conscription = No
| conscription = Yes
| active = 14,325 (2025)
| active = 13,814 (2024)<ref>{{cite web |title=Godišnje izvješće o obrani za 2024. godinu |author=Vlada Republike Hrvatske |date=May 2025 |url=https://www.sabor.hr/sites/default/files/uploads/sabor/2025-05-05/124206/GODISNJE_IZVJESCE_OBRANA_2024.pdf |publisher=Hrvatski sabor |language=hr |access-date=2026-04-06}}</ref>
| reserve = 20,100 (2025)
| reserve = 17,352 (2024)<ref>{{cite web |title=Godišnje izvješće o obrani za 2024. godinu |author=Vlada Republike Hrvatske |date=May 2025 |url=https://www.sabor.hr/sites/default/files/uploads/sabor/2025-05-05/124206/GODISNJE_IZVJESCE_OBRANA_2024.pdf |publisher=Hrvatski sabor |language=hr |access-date=2026-04-06}}</ref>
| deployed = {{Flag|Iraq}} – 26<ref name=Deployed>{{Cite web|url=https://www.morh.hr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/godisnje-izvjesce-za-2023-provedbeni-program-morh.pdf |title=Annual report on the implementation of the Implementation Program of the Ministry of Defense 2021–2024 for the year 2023|access-date=December 16, 2024}}</ref> <br />{{Flag|Lithuania}} – 195<ref name=Deployed /><br />{{Flag|Hungary}} – 205<ref name=Deployed /> <br />{{Flag|Poland}} – 161<ref name=Deployed /> <br />{{Flag|Kosovo}} – 520<ref name=Deployed /> <br />{{Flag|India}} / {{Flag|Pakistan}} – 20<ref name=Deployed /><br />{{Flag|Western Sahara}} – 12<ref name=Deployed />
| deployed = {{Flag|Kosovo}} – 520<ref name=Deployed>{{Cite web|url=https://www.morh.hr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/godisnje-izvjesce-za-2023-provedbeni-program-morh.pdf |title=Annual report on the implementation of the Implementation Program of the Ministry of Defense 2021–2024 for the year 2023|access-date=December 16, 2024}}</ref><br>{{Flag|Hungary}} – 205<ref name=Deployed /><br>{{Flag|Lithuania}} – 195<ref name=Deployed /><br>{{Flag|Poland}} – 161<ref name=Deployed /><br>{{Flag|India}} / {{Flag|Pakistan}} – 20<ref name=Deployed /><br />{{Flag|Western Sahara}} – 12<ref name=Deployed />
| amount = €1.504 billion (2025)<ref name="NATO">{{cite web | url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2024/6/pdf/240617-def-exp-2024-en.pdf |title=NATO}}</ref><br>($1.725 billion) (2025)
| amount = [[Euro|€]]1.931 billion (2025)<ref name="Vlada RH">{{Cite web|url=https://vlada.gov.hr/u-prosincu-najniza-godisnja-stopa-inflacije-u-posljednjih-osam-mjeseci-realni-rast-placa-brzi-od-rasta-cijena/45878 |title=Vlada RH}}</ref><br>
| percent_GDP = 2.01% (2025)
| percent_GDP = 2.08% (2026)
| domestic_suppliers = [[Đuro Đaković (company)|Đuro Đaković]] (armored vehicles)
| domestic_suppliers = [[Đuro Đaković (company)|Đuro Đaković]] (vehicles)<br />[[Brodosplit]] (naval vessels)<br />[[HS Produkt]] (small arms)<br>[[DOK-ING]] (robotics)<br>[[BK-3 helmet|Šestan-Busch]] (gear)<br>[[Orqa]] (drones)
<br />[[Brodosplit]] (naval vessels)<br /> [[HS Produkt]] (small arms)
| website = {{URL|https://www.morh.hr/en/}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.morh.hr/en/}}
| foreign_suppliers = {{USA}}<br />{{FRA}}<br />{{GER}}<br />{{FIN}}<br />{{flag|Israel}}
| foreign_suppliers = {{ubl|{{EU}}<br/>{{flag|NATO}}<br/>{{USA}}<br>{{FRA}}<br>{{GER}}}}
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| exports = <!-- Related articles -->
| history = [[Military history of Croatia]]<br />[[Croatian War of Independence]]<br />[[War in Bosnia and Herzegovina]]<br />[[List of Croatian soldiers]]<br />[[Orders, decorations, and medals of Croatia]]
| history = {{hlist|[[Military history of Croatia]]|[[Croatian War of Independence]]|[[Bosnian War]]|[[Orders, decorations, and medals of Croatia|Croatian military decorations]]}}
| ranks = [[Croatian military ranks]]
| ranks = [[Croatian military ranks]]
}}
}}


The '''Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia''' ({{langx|hr|Oružane snage Republike Hrvatske – '''OSRH'''}}) are the national [[Military|military forces]] of [[Croatia]]. The Croatian military consists of three service branches: the [[Croatian Army]], the [[Croatian Navy]] and the [[Croatian Air Force]]. The OSRH is headed by the [[President of Croatia]] as [[commander-in-chief]] while defense policy is overseen by the [[Government of Croatia]]. The military supports the [[Foreign relations of Croatia|foreign policy of Croatia]] and international security initiatives. It is the sole military wing of the [[Croatian security and intelligence system]].   
The '''Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia''' ({{langx|hr|Oružane snage Republike Hrvatske – '''OSRH'''}}) are the national [[Military|military forces]] of [[Croatia]]. The Croatian military consists of three service branches: the [[Croatian Army]], the [[Croatian Navy]] and the [[Croatian Air Force]]. The OSRH is headed by the [[President of Croatia]] as commander-in-chief while defence policy is overseen by the [[Government of Croatia]]. The military supports the [[Foreign relations of Croatia|foreign policy of Croatia]] and [[Croatian security and intelligence system]]. The [[Croatian Special Operations Forces Command|Croatian Special Forces]] are a co-equal tactical command unit.   


Since the [[Croatian War of Independence]] (1991-1995), the Armed Forces have [[Military history of Croatia|played a key role]] in protecting territorial integrity. In the post-war early 2000s, Croatia moderated defense spending to accommodate [[nation-building]]. The military's first foreign deployment was to the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]], in 2003, later joining the military alliance [[NATO]] in 2009. Croatia maintains a close security and foreign intelligence relationship [[Croatia–NATO relations|with NATO]] and [[Croatia–United States relations#Military cooperation|the United States]]. The military has been deployed to various [[United Nations]] (UN)-led and NATO-led peacekeeping missions. Since joining the [[European Union]] (EU) in 2013, it became a part of the [[Defence forces of the European Union|EU defense forces]].   
Since the [[Croatian War of Independence]] (1991–1995), the Armed Forces have played a key role in protecting territorial integrity. The military's first foreign deployment was to the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]], in 2003, later joining the military alliance [[NATO]] in 2009. Croatia maintains a close security and foreign intelligence relationship [[Croatia–NATO relations|with NATO]] and [[Croatia–United States relations#Military cooperation|the United States]]. The military has been deployed to various [[United Nations]] (UN)-led and NATO-led missions around the world. Since joining the [[European Union]] (EU) in 2013, it became a part of the [[Defence forces of the European Union|EU defence forces]].   


The Armed Forces have seen significant militarization and modernization since the early 2020s due to regional geopolitical risk. Its deep integration within Europe and the U.S. has led to modern [[Defense pact|defense pacts]] and a robust [[defense industrial base]]. The Croatian military is among the most [[List of countries by level of military equipment|technologically-advanced in Southeast Europe]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Mark |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Croatia’s Military Modernization: Navigating Regional Challenges and Global Realities |url=https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/17427-croatia-s-military-modernization-navigating-regional-challenges-and-global-realities |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=The Dubrovnik Times |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Tesija |first=Vuk |date=2024-12-02 |title=Croatia’s Defence Sector Spending Spree Raises Questions About Military Strategy |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2024/12/02/croatias-defence-sector-spending-spree-raises-questions-about-military-strategy/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}</ref> Croatia used [[Conscription|military conscription]] from 1991 to 2008, with conscription expected to return in 2025. The Armed Forces are spread across [[continental Croatia]] and capital city [[Zagreb]], with the Navy largely based in [[Split, Croatia|Split]].
The Armed Forces have seen significant militarization and modernization since the early 2020s due to regional geopolitical risk. Its deep integration within Europe and the U.S. has led to a robust [[defense industrial base|defence industrial base]] and emerging [[Defence industry of Croatia|defence sector]]. The Croatian military is among the most [[List of countries by level of military equipment|technologically-advanced in Southeast Europe]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Mark |date=January 21, 2025 |title=Croatia’s Military Modernization: Navigating Regional Challenges and Global Realities |url=https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/17427-croatia-s-military-modernization-navigating-regional-challenges-and-global-realities |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=The Dubrovnik Times |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Tesija |first=Vuk |date=2024-12-02 |title=Croatia’s Defence Sector Spending Spree Raises Questions About Military Strategy |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2024/12/02/croatias-defence-sector-spending-spree-raises-questions-about-military-strategy/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}</ref> Croatia has had military conscription since 2025, previously enacted from 1991 to 2008. The Armed Forces are spread across [[continental Croatia]] and capital city [[Zagreb]], with the Navy largely based in [[Split, Croatia|Split]].


== History ==
== History ==
{{Main|Military history of Croatia}}


=== Formation in the early 1990s ===
=== Formation in the early 1990s ===
In the late spring of 1991, the first military units of the [[Croatian National Guard|National Guard Corps]] were formed, established on 20 April 1991. by the decision of the President of the Republic and which, for legal and political reasons, was formally part of the Ministry of the Interior. In addition to the structures and units that were created by state policy, there were also [[Paramilitary|paramilitaries]]. The Croatian Party of Rights organized its armed detachments, the [[Croatian Defence Forces|Croatian defense Forces]] (HOS), which were privately armed, relatively well trained and trained at the tactical level, and deployed to critical positions on the battlefields. The Party of Democratic Change (Reformed Communists, SDP) armed its activists in Istria, the Littoral and Dalmatia, as did the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in other parts of Croatia. In some places, the TO system was reactivated (e.g. in Zagreb), which gave better results.
In the late spring of 1991, the first military units of the [[Croatian National Guard|National Guard Corps]] were formed, established on 20 April 1991.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Tanner |first=Marcus |title=Croatia: A Nation Forged in War |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2010 |edition=3rd |location=Yale University Library |language=English}}</ref> By the decision of the President of the Republic and which, for legal and political reasons, was formally part of the [[Ministry of the Interior (Croatia)|Ministry of the Interior]].<ref name=":6" /> The Croatian Party of Rights organized its armed detachments, the [[Croatian Defence Forces]] (HOS), which were privately armed, relatively well trained and trained at the tactical level, and deployed to critical positions on the battlefields.<ref name=":6" /> The [[League of Communists of Croatia|Party of Democratic Change]] (ZNG) armed its activists in [[Istria]], the [[Adriatic Croatia|Littoral]] and [[Dalmatia]], as did the ruling [[Croatian Democratic Union]] (HDZ) in other parts of Croatia.<ref name=":6" /> In some places, the {{Lang|hr|teritorijalna obrana}} (TO) ("Territorial Defense") system was reactivated in [[Zagreb]] which proved more effective.


The system of command and control was initially critically confused, and the competencies were vague and unclear. The ZNG was thus under the dual jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defense. A large part of the command in the field was transferred to local crisis staffs composed and led by political officials who did not necessarily have military knowledge broader than those they had acquired during their conscription service in the [[Yugoslav People's Army|JNA]]. There were often several different units in the field, which, even if they were nominally in the same organization, often did not have a common higher command.
The system of command and control was initially inefficient. The ZNG was under the dual jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior and the [[Ministry of Defence (Croatia)|Ministry of Defence]].<ref name=":6" /> A large part of the command in the field was transferred to local crisis staffs composed and led by political officials who did not necessarily have military knowledge broader than those they had acquired during their conscription service in the [[Yugoslav People's Army|JNA]].<ref name=":6" /> There were often several different units in the field, which, even if they were nominally in the same organization, often did not have a common higher command.<ref name=":6" />


The main tasks of the ZNG (later HV) were to prevent the penetration of the JNA and other forces in the most important directions, to defend cities and critical areas, and to conquer JNA barracks in the depth of their own deployment. These tasks began to be fulfilled more comprehensively and systematically only after the armed forces were organized into a single Croatian Army (HV) on the basis of the new defense Law, and when the General Staff was established on 21 September 1991, with Chief General Anton Tus as its Chief. At that time, a more systematic mobilization of reserve soldiers and the organization of units, commands and institutions began, as well as the planned use of forces.
The main tasks of the ZNG were to prevent the penetration of the JNA and other forces in the most important directions, to defend cities and critical areas, and to conquer JNA barracks in the depth of their own deployment.<ref name=":6" /> These tasks began to be fulfilled more comprehensively and systematically only after the armed forces were organized into a single [[Croatian Army]] (HV) on the basis of the new defence Law, and when the General Staff was established on 21 September 1991, with Chief General [[Anton Tus]] as its Chief.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IN MEMORIAM Anton Tus, retired staff general, the first Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Army and the first Head of the Mission of the Republic of Croatia to NATO |url=https://mvep.gov.hr/in-memoriam-anton-tus-retired-staff-general-the-first-chief-of-the-general-staff-of-the-croatian-army-and-the-first-head-of-the-mission-of-the-republic-of-croatia-to-nato/259767 |access-date=2026-03-10 |website=template.gov.hr}}</ref> At that time, a more systematic mobilization of reserve soldiers and the organization of units, commands and institutions began, as well as the planned use of forces.


On 1 October 1991, large military-territorial and combat commands (Operational Zones) were formed with headquarters in Osijek, Bjelovar, Zagreb, Karlovac, Rijeka and Split. Subordinate to them were operational groups that commanded certain directions and areas. The basic and at the same time the highest tactical units were infantry brigades (professional and reserve), and brigades and battalions of other branches were also formed. By the end of the year, 63 brigades had been formed and developed.
On 1 October 1991, large military-territorial and combat commands (Operational Zones) were formed with headquarters in [[Osijek]], [[Bjelovar]], Zagreb, [[Karlovac]], [[Rijeka]] and [[Split, Croatia|Split]].<ref name=":6" /> Subordinate to them were operational groups that commanded certain directions and areas.<ref name=":6" /> The basic and at the same time the highest tactical units were infantry brigades (professional and reserve), and brigades and battalions of other branches were also formed. By the end of the year, 63 brigades had been formed and developed.<ref name=":6" />


=== Croatian War of Independence ===
=== Croatian War of Independence ===
{{Further|Croatian War of Independence}}[[File:Tank Destroyer of the Croatian War of Independence 2.jpg|thumb|A [[M18 Hellcat|M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer]] used during the Croatian War of Independence, 2019]]
{{Further|Croatian War of Independence}}[[File:Tank Destroyer of the Croatian War of Independence 2.jpg|thumb|A [[M18 Hellcat|M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer]] used during the Croatian War of Independence, 2019]]
During the Homeland War, the armed forces gradually grew to about 300,000 members. Most of the units were filled from the reserve, i.e. from the personnel who acquired basic military knowledge during their compulsory military service in the Yugoslav People's Army. Thanks to the growing military experience, the quality of these units grew, and the organization of the entire system improved over time.
During the Homeland War, the armed forces gradually grew to about 300,000 members.<ref name=":6" /> Most of the units were filled from the reserve, i.e. from the personnel who acquired basic military knowledge during their compulsory military service in the [[Yugoslav People's Army]].<ref name=":6" /> With growing military experience, the quality of these units grew, and the organization of the entire system improved over time.<ref name=":6" /> The training of new generations of 18-year-old young men who served in the Croatian Army continued, whereby army units during military service were generally not used for combat tasks.<ref name=":6" />


The training of new generations of 18-year-old young men who served in the Croatian Army continued, whereby army units during military service were generally not used for combat tasks (young men would mostly receive call-ups for combat units soon after completing their compulsory military service).
As the war progressed, through clandestine operations, significant amounts of military surpluses created after the collapse of the [[Warsaw Pact]] were purchased; in particular, the procurement of combat aircraft of Soviet origin was significant for the formation of the [[Croatian Air Force]].<ref name=":6" /> The Air Force had included about twenty [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG 21 aircraft]] and several [[Mil Mi-24]] combat helicopters, as well as several transport helicopters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arhiva.nacional.hr/clanak/28465/prvi-put-nakon-rata-otkriveni-originalni-racuni-za-oruzje |title=Prvi put nakon rata otkriveni originalni računi za oružje|website=arhiva.nacional.hr}}</ref> The domestic industry has become capable of significant independent production of weapons and military equipment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr/vojna-povijest/vojna-tehnika-i-oprema-hv-a-967423|title=Vojna tehnika i oprema HV-a|website=vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr}}</ref>


As the war progressed, through clandestine operations (the legal procurement of military equipment for the war-torn territory of the former Yugoslavia was prevented), significant amounts of military surpluses created after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact were purchased; in particular, the procurement of combat aircraft of Soviet origin was significant for the formation of the Croatian Air Force. The Croatian Air Force had included about twenty [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG 21 aircraft]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arhiva.nacional.hr/clanak/28465/prvi-put-nakon-rata-otkriveni-originalni-racuni-za-oruzje |title=Prvi put nakon rata otkriveni originalni računi za oružje|website=arhiva.nacional.hr}}</ref> and several [[Mil Mi-24]] combat helicopters, as well as several transport helicopters. The domestic industry has become capable of significant independent production of weapons and military equipment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr/vojna-povijest/vojna-tehnika-i-oprema-hv-a-967423|title=Vojna tehnika i oprema HV-a|website=vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr}}</ref>[[File:Croatian_Air_Force_Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-21UMD_Lofting-1.jpg|thumb|Croatian [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG 21]] fighter jet 'Kockica' in [[Croatian checkerboard|Croatian checky]] livery, 2018]]The Croatian Navy was created to a large extent thanks to the successful action of capturing about one quarter of the Yugoslav Navy vessels in [[Šibenik]] in 1991. [[RBS 15|RBS-15]] anti-ship missiles were also captured:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr/vojna-povijest/prva-pobjeda-u-obrani-od-velikosrpske-agresije-sibenska-bitka-u-rujnu-1991-godine-962517|title=Prva pobjeda u obrani od velikosrpske agresije – šibenska bitka u rujnu 1991. godine|website=vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr}}</ref> this system made in Sweden has not yet been put into operation by the Yugoslav Navy, and the Croatian Navy succeeded in doing so after Croatian experts independently developed the "Phobos" fire control system; Namely, the Swedish manufacturer was not allowed to deliver that key part of the weapon system. With the introduction of modern missiles with a range of over 70&nbsp;km into operational use, the Croatian Navy has largely prevented serious action by the enemy navy.
The [[Croatian Navy]] was created to a large extent thanks to the successful action of capturing about one quarter of the [[Yugoslav Navy]] vessels in [[Šibenik]] in 1991. [[RBS 15|RBS-15]] anti-ship missiles were also captured:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr/vojna-povijest/prva-pobjeda-u-obrani-od-velikosrpske-agresije-sibenska-bitka-u-rujnu-1991-godine-962517|title=Prva pobjeda u obrani od velikosrpske agresije – šibenska bitka u rujnu 1991. godine|website=vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr}}</ref> this system made in Sweden has not yet been put into operation by the Yugoslav Navy, and the Croatian Navy succeeded in doing so after Croatian experts independently developed the "Phobos" fire control system; namely, the Swedish manufacturer was not allowed to deliver that key part of the weapon system. With the introduction of modern missiles with a range of over 70&nbsp;km into operational use, the Croatian Navy had largely prevented serious action by the enemy navy. The combined Armed Forces were in a wartime activation until 12 March 1996, when they switched to peacetime by the decision of the President of Croatia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Presidential Decree |url=http://www.predsjednik.hr/Zagreb12.03.1996_3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221212256/http://www.predsjednik.hr/Zagreb12.03.1996_3 |archive-date=21 February 2015 }}</ref>
 
The Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia were in a wartime activation until 12 March 1996, when they switched to peacetime by the decision of the President of Croatia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Presidential Decree |url=http://www.predsjednik.hr/Zagreb12.03.1996_3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221212256/http://www.predsjednik.hr/Zagreb12.03.1996_3 |archive-date=21 February 2015 }}</ref>


=== 21st century ===
=== 21st century ===
[[File:Croatian detachment Bastille Day 2013 Paris t105101.jpg|left|thumb|280x280px|A Croatian detachment during France's [[Bastille Day military parade|Bastille Day]] military parade, 2013 ]]
[[File:M116 howitzer of the Croatian Army.jpg|thumb|291x291px|A [[Croatian Army]] [[M116 howitzer]] demonstration, 2020]]
With the stabilization of the situation after the end of the war, several important waves of reforms followed. There was an increasingly visible trend of other transition countries, as well as NATO members, to put emphasis in the development of the armed forces on mobility, on multifunctionality and flexibility in the use of the armed forces, and not on the mass composition and heavy equipment. Economic over-demanding and conceptual inadequacy, i.e. the inapplicability of the old Cold War conception became obvious. New security threats and a new international constellation called for deeper changes in the way armed forces were designed. The process of reforming the defense system began in 2002. The aim of the reform and reorganization is to establish a modern structure of the defense system that will be able to respond to the challenges of the new era, taking into account the membership of the Republic of Croatia in NATO and security arrangements within the European Union.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Change of doctrine of the Croatian Armed Forces |url=http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/0672006/pricuva.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516102529/http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/0672006/pricuva.asp |archive-date=16 May 2008 }}</ref> The main guidelines for the reform are set by strategic documents adopted by the Republic of Croatia: the National Security Strategy of the Republic of Croatia, the defense Strategy of the Republic of Croatia, the Military Strategy of the Republic of Croatia. During 2003, the Ministry of defense and the General Staff began working on the ''Strategic defense Review'' (''SPO),'' which was adopted in 2005. With the adoption ''of the Long-Term Development Plan of the Croatian Armed Forces 2006 – 2015'' (''DPR'') in the Croatian Parliament on 7 July 2006, clear content and time frames for further reform, development and modernization of the Croatian Armed Forces in the next ten years were set.
After the end of the war, several important waves of reforms followed. There was an increasingly visible trend of other transition countries, as well as [[NATO]] members, to put emphasis in the development of the armed forces on mobility, on interoperability and flexibility in the use of the armed forces, and not on the mass composition and heavy equipment.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |title=CROATIA COMPLETING STRATEGY OF LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ARMED FORCES |url=https://mvep.gov.hr/news-and-announcements-87667/158948 |access-date=2026-03-10 |website=template.gov.hr}}</ref> The process of reforming the defence system began in 2002.<ref name=":7" /> The aim of the reform and reorganization is to establish a modern structure of the defence system that will be able to respond to the challenges of the new era, taking into account the membership in NATO and within the [[European Union]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Change of doctrine of the Croatian Armed Forces |url=http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/0672006/pricuva.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516102529/http://www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr/hrvatski-vojnik/0672006/pricuva.asp |archive-date=16 May 2008 }}</ref> During 2003, the Ministry of defence and the General Staff began working on the ''Strategic defence Review'' (''SPO),'' which was adopted in 2005.<ref name=":7" /> With the adoption ''of the Long-Term Development Plan of the Croatian Armed Forces 2006 – 2015'' (''DPR'') in the Croatian Parliament on 7 July 2006, clear content and time frames for further reform, development and modernization of the Croatian Armed Forces in the next decade were set.<ref name=":7" />
[[File:Croatian Navy ships.jpg|thumb|[[Croatian Navy]] ships patrolling territorial waters in 2021]]
The essence of the changes consists in the gradual transition from Croatian individual (national) to collective defense and security mechanisms, and this also implies:


Modern military objectives have focused on developing advanced collective defence and security mechanisms, namely:<ref name=":7" />
[[File:Croatian Navy ships.jpg|thumb|[[Croatian Navy]] ships patrolling territorial waters in 2021, on the [[Adriatic Sea]]|314x314px]]
* transition to the professionalization of the Croatian Armed Forces, which means replenishment of soldiers voluntarily, and not through conscription;
* transition to the professionalization of the Croatian Armed Forces, which means replenishment of soldiers voluntarily, and not through conscription;
* the transition to a collective defense system means a smaller active and reserve composition, but better trained, equipped, compatible and interoperable with allies.
* the transition to a collective defence system means a smaller active and reserve composition, but better trained, equipped, compatible and interoperable with allies.
* the possibility that smaller nations that are members of the Alliance, such as Croatia, can partially "specialize" in order to be able to contribute to joint operations in a specific way with their limited capacities.
* the possibility that smaller nations that are members of the Alliance, such as Croatia, can partially "specialize" in order to be able to contribute to joint operations in a specific way with their limited capacities.
* even greater overall engagement of units and members of the Croatian Armed Forces in collective activities, international missions, and preventive security activities
* even greater overall engagement of units and members of the Croatian Armed Forces in collective activities, international missions, and preventive security activities


In 2007, the Decision was made not to call up recruits for military service which represented an important step towards the professionalization of the Croatian Armed Forces, which implies the abolition of compulsory military service and the introduction of voluntary military service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abolishment of Conscription |url=http://www.nacional.hr/clanak/38547/ukinuto-obvezno-sluzenje-vojnog-roka|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104123205/http://www.nacional.hr/clanak/38547/ukinuto-obvezno-sluzenje-vojnog-roka |archive-date=4 January 2009 }}</ref> The first generation of volunteer conscripts began serving in November 2008, after formal [[Conscription|military conscription]] concluded following its 1991 initiation.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Tesija |first=Vuk |date=2025-06-04 |title=Croatia Unveils Bill Restoring Mandatory Military Service |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2025/06/04/croatia-unveils-bill-restoring-mandatory-military-service/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}</ref>  
In 2007, the Croatian government professionalized their Armed Forces by waiving the year's requirement for compulsory military service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Abolishment of Conscription |url=http://www.nacional.hr/clanak/38547/ukinuto-obvezno-sluzenje-vojnog-roka|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104123205/http://www.nacional.hr/clanak/38547/ukinuto-obvezno-sluzenje-vojnog-roka |archive-date=4 January 2009 }}</ref> The first generation of volunteer conscripts began serving in November 2008, after formal military conscription concluded following its 1991 initiation.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Tesija |first=Vuk |date=2025-06-04 |title=Croatia Unveils Bill Restoring Mandatory Military Service |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2025/06/04/croatia-unveils-bill-restoring-mandatory-military-service/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}</ref>  


The Croatian military significantly expanded during the early 2020s due to the regional [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Western Balkans peace threatened by new military alliances? – DW – 04/11/2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/western-balkans-peace-threatened-by-new-military-alliances/a-72179306 |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> Croatia's deep integration within Europe and with the U.S. has led to modernization as well as joint procurement of advanced military assets.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Radman |first=Grlić |date=May 15, 2025 |title=NATO foreign ministers discuss defence spending, security threats |url=https://vlada.gov.hr/news/nato-foreign-ministers-discuss-defence-spending-security-threats/44464#:~:text=Minister%20Grli%C4%87%20Radman%20confirmed%20that,of%20the%20Croatian%20Armed%20Forces. |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=vlada.gov.hr |quote=Minister Grlić Radman confirmed that in 2025 Croatia reached the targeted defence spending of 2% of GDP, noting that the Croatian government is continuously modernising the armed forces and that Zagreb will continue to create conditions for better equipment and readiness of the Croatian Armed Forces.}}</ref> Military conscription is expected to return in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tesija |first=Vuk |date=2025-06-04 |title=Croatia Unveils Bill Restoring Mandatory Military Service |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2025/06/04/croatia-unveils-bill-restoring-mandatory-military-service/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}</ref> The Croatian military entered into a regional [[defense pact]] with [[Albania]] and [[Kosovo]] in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brey |first=Thomas |date=April 11, 2025 |title=Western Balkans peace threatened by new military alliances? |url=https://www.dw.com/en/western-balkans-peace-threatened-by-new-military-alliances/a-72179306 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref>   
The Croatian military significantly expanded during the early 2020s due to the regional [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Western Balkans peace threatened by new military alliances? – DW – 04/11/2025 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/western-balkans-peace-threatened-by-new-military-alliances/a-72179306 |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> Croatia's deep integration within Europe and with the U.S. has led to modernization as well as joint procurement of advanced military assets.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Radman |first=Grlić |date=May 15, 2025 |title=NATO foreign ministers discuss defence spending, security threats |url=https://vlada.gov.hr/news/nato-foreign-ministers-discuss-defence-spending-security-threats/44464#:~:text=Minister%20Grli%C4%87%20Radman%20confirmed%20that,of%20the%20Croatian%20Armed%20Forces. |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=vlada.gov.hr |quote=Minister Grlić Radman confirmed that in 2025 Croatia reached the targeted defence spending of 2% of GDP, noting that the Croatian government is continuously modernising the armed forces and that Zagreb will continue to create conditions for better equipment and readiness of the Croatian Armed Forces.}}</ref> The [[Croatian Parliament]] reenacted military conscription in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tesija |first=Vuk |date=2025-06-04 |title=Croatia Unveils Bill Restoring Mandatory Military Service |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2025/06/04/croatia-unveils-bill-restoring-mandatory-military-service/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=24 October 2025 |title=Croatia reintroduces mandatory military conscription after 17 years |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/24/croatia-reintroduces-mandatory-military-conscription-after-17-years |access-date=2025-10-25 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> The Croatian military entered into a regional [[defense pact|defence pact]] with [[Albania]] and [[Kosovo]] in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brey |first=Thomas |date=April 11, 2025 |title=Western Balkans peace threatened by new military alliances? |url=https://www.dw.com/en/western-balkans-peace-threatened-by-new-military-alliances/a-72179306 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> Amid the [[2026 Iran war|2026 U.S.-Israeli war in Iran]] and the related [[Hezbollah–Israel conflict|Israeli incursion into Lebanon]], the Croatian government preemptively withdrew its troops from [[Iraq]] and [[Lebanon]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Mark |title=Croatia’s President Warns of Escalation in Iran Crisis, Orders Troop Withdrawal - The Dubrovnik Times |url=https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/19526-croatia-s-president-warns-of-escalation-in-iran-crisis-orders-troop-withdrawal |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=www.thedubrovniktimes.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>   


==Defense expenditure==
==Defence expenditure==
{{Further|List of countries in Europe by military expenditures}}
{{Further|List of countries in Europe by military expenditures}}
In the post-war early 2000s, Croatia moderated its [[military budget]] to accommodate [[nation-building]]. During the wartime 1990s defense represented a major stake in Croatian public spending due to then ongoing [[Croatian War of Independence]]. In 1995, the Croatian defense budget stood at 12.4 billion [[Croatian kuna]] or around 10% of [[gross domestic product]] (GDP). Since 1995, Croatia has had the [[List of countries with highest military expenditure per capita|third-highest military expenditure per capita]] in [[Southeast Europe]] according to [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|SIPRI]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lian |first=Xiao |date=April 10, 2025 |title=Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2024 |url=https://www.sipri.org/publications/2025/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-world-military-expenditure-2024 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}}</ref> Approximately €1.14 billion was paid in defense pensions to some 97,000 individuals in Croatia in 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tportal.hr/biznis/clanak/analiza-proracuna-foto-20221115 | title=Pročešljali smo novi državni proračun: Vojska, policija, političari, umirovljenici i učitelji trljaju ruke, medicinari najveći gubitnici }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://n1info.hr/biznis/koliko-iznose-mirovine-hrvatskih-branitelja/ | title=Koliko iznose mirovine hrvatskih branitelja? | date=18 November 2022 }}</ref> Military expenditure has increased markedly, rising 22.2% in 2024 and 18.2% in 2025.<ref name=":4" /> Croatia brought its defense budget to 2% of GDP in 2025.<ref name=":1" /> It intends to grow defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, commensurate with [[Economy of Croatia|economic growth in Croatia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Croatia wants to reach 3% of GDP allocated to defense by 2030. |url=https://vlada.gov.hr/news/croatia-wants-to-reach-three-percent-of-gdp-allocated-to-defense-by-2030/44614 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=vlada.gov.hr}}</ref> It supports bringing defense spending to 5% by 2035.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Mark |title=Croatia and Slovenia Support NATO Defence Spending Hike, Eye Closer Cooperation on Border and Energy Projects - The Dubrovnik Times |url=https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/18148-croatia-and-slovenia-support-nato-defence-spending-hike-eye-closer-cooperation-on-border-and-energy-projects |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=www.thedubrovniktimes.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> Nearly 29% of defense spending in 2025 will facilitate military modernization to NATO standards, above the 20% NATO obligation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vlada.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/Vijesti/2024/Studeni/14_studenoga/Prijedlog_proracuna_2025-2027.pdf|title=Proracun 2025: ulaganja u opremanje i modernizaciju vojske}}</ref>
In the post-war early 2000s, Croatia moderated its [[military budget]] to accommodate [[nation-building]]. During the wartime 1990s defence represented a major stake in Croatian public spending due to then ongoing [[Croatian War of Independence]]. In 1995, the Croatian defence budget stood at 12.4 billion [[Croatian kuna]] or around 10% of [[gross domestic product]] (GDP). Since 1995, Croatia has had the [[List of countries with highest military expenditure per capita|third-highest military expenditure per capita]] in [[Southeast Europe]] according to [[Stockholm International Peace Research Institute|SIPRI]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lian |first=Xiao |date=April 10, 2025 |title=Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2024 |url=https://www.sipri.org/publications/2025/sipri-fact-sheets/trends-world-military-expenditure-2024 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}}</ref> Approximately €1.14 billion was paid in defence pensions to some 97,000 individuals in Croatia in 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tportal.hr/biznis/clanak/analiza-proracuna-foto-20221115 | title=Pročešljali smo novi državni proračun: Vojska, policija, političari, umirovljenici i učitelji trljaju ruke, medicinari najveći gubitnici }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://n1info.hr/biznis/koliko-iznose-mirovine-hrvatskih-branitelja/ | title=Koliko iznose mirovine hrvatskih branitelja? | date=18 November 2022 }}</ref> Military expenditure has increased markedly, rising 22.2% in 2024 and 18.2% in 2025.<ref name=":4" /> Croatia brought its defence budget to 2% of GDP in 2025.<ref name=":1" /> It intends to grow defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, commensurate with [[Economy of Croatia|economic growth in Croatia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2025 |title=Croatia wants to reach 3% of GDP allocated to defense by 2030. |url=https://vlada.gov.hr/news/croatia-wants-to-reach-three-percent-of-gdp-allocated-to-defense-by-2030/44614 |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=vlada.gov.hr}}</ref> It supports bringing defence spending to 5% by 2035.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Mark |title=Croatia and Slovenia Support NATO Defence Spending Hike, Eye Closer Cooperation on Border and Energy Projects - The Dubrovnik Times |url=https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/18148-croatia-and-slovenia-support-nato-defence-spending-hike-eye-closer-cooperation-on-border-and-energy-projects |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=www.thedubrovniktimes.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> Nearly 29% of defence spending in 2025 will facilitate military modernization to NATO standards, above the 20% NATO obligation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vlada.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/Vijesti/2024/Studeni/14_studenoga/Prijedlog_proracuna_2025-2027.pdf|title=Proracun 2025: ulaganja u opremanje i modernizaciju vojske}}</ref>


The defense expenditures of Croatia, summarized for the following years as a component of GDP:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/20230707_natopub_defence_expenditure_of_nato_countries_2014-2023_0.pdf|title=Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2023)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2024/6/pdf/240617-def-exp-2024-en.pdf|title=Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2024)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=International Monetary Fund Croatia economic outlook |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPD@WEO/HRV?zoom=HRV&highlight=HRV}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
The defence expenditures of Croatia, summarized for the following years as a component of GDP:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/2024-04/20230707_natopub_defence_expenditure_of_nato_countries_2014-2023_0.pdf|title=Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2023)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nato.int/nato_static_fl2014/assets/pdf/2024/6/pdf/240617-def-exp-2024-en.pdf|title=Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2024)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=International Monetary Fund Croatia economic outlook |url=https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/NGDPD@WEO/HRV?zoom=HRV&highlight=HRV}}</ref><ref name=":1" />


{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year||Defence expenditure|| % of GDP  
|'''Year'''||'''Defense expenditure'''|| '''% of GDP'''
!% change
|'''% change'''
|-
|-
|2021
|2021
Line 103: Line 100:
|1.81
|1.81
|{{Increase}} 12.7
|{{Increase}} 12.7
|-
|2025
|$2.052 billion
|2.08
|{{Increase}} 26.3
|}
|}
==Structure==
 
[[File:Croatian Ministry of Defence Building.jpg|thumb|317x317px|The [[Ministry of Defence (Croatia)|Croatian Ministry of Defense]], 2019]]
== Organization ==
The Armed Forces are divided into branches, services, professions and their specialties. The [[President of Croatia|President]] is the Commander-in-Chief and exercises administrative powers in times of war by giving orders to the Chief of Staff, while administration and defense policy execution in peacetime is carried out by the [[Government of Croatia|Government]] through the [[Ministry of Defence (Croatia)|Ministry of defense]]. This unified institution consists of land, sea, and air branches referred to as:
[[File:Vlada RH.jpg|thumb|261x261px|The [[Government of Croatia]] oversees its national security. ]]
The Armed Forces are divided into branches, services, professions and their specialties. The [[President of Croatia|President]] is the Commander-in-Chief and exercises administrative powers in times of war by giving orders to the Chief of Staff, while administration and defence policy execution in peacetime is carried out by the [[Government of Croatia|Government]] through the [[Ministry of Defence (Croatia)|Ministry of Defence]]. This unified institution consists of land, sea, and air branches referred to as:
* [[Croatian Army]] (''Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska'' - ''HKoV'')
* [[Croatian Army]] (''Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska'' - ''HKoV'')
* [[Croatian Navy]] (''Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica'' - ''HRM'')
* [[Croatian Navy]] (''Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica'' - ''HRM'')
* [[Croatian Air Force]] (''Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo'' - ''HRZ'')
* [[Croatian Air Force]] (''Hrvatsko Ratno Zrakoplovstvo'' - ''HRZ'')
Branches of the Armed Forces are parts of the Armed Forces within which the preparation and equipping of individuals, units and purpose-built forces are carried out for the execution of tasks in certain geographical areas (land, sea, air) whose primary task is to maintain the required level of combat readiness of operational units.
The current structure of the Croatian Armed Forces has been in force since 1 December 2014 and consists of the [[General Staff of the Armed Forces (Croatia)|General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces]], Croatian Army (HKoV), Croatian Navy (HRM), Croatian Air Force (HRZ), Croatian defence Academy (HVU), Support Command (ZZP), [[Croatian Special Operations Forces Command|Special Forces Command]] (ZSS), Military Disciplinary Court (VSS), Military representations (VP) and Headquarter support units (PP).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/dodatni/434032.pdf|title=DUGOROČNI PLAN RAZVOJA ORUŽANIH SNAGA REPUBLIKE HRVATSKE ZA RAZDOBLJE OD 2015. DO 2024.}}</ref>


The armed forces have a peacetime and a wartime composition. The peacetime composition of the Armed Forces consists of active military personnel, civil servants and employees assigned to the Armed Forces, reservists called up for training, contract reservists, cadets and persons who have received voluntary military training. Exceptionally, the peacetime composition of the Armed Forces also consists of conscripts when [[Conscription|compulsory military service]] is in force. The wartime composition of the Armed Forces, in addition to military personnel, civil servants, employees and conscripts (when compulsory military service is in force), also consists of conscripts mobilized into the Armed Forces.
* '''[[General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces]]''' is a joint body organized within the [[Ministry of Defence (Croatia)|Ministry of Defence]] which is responsible for the command, preparation and use of the Armed Forces. General Staff commands the entire Armed Forces in accordance with the dictate of the Commander-in-Chief ([[President of Croatia]]) and the Minister of Defence and performs other professional activities for the Commander-in-Chief and the Minister of Defence. It also has a number of units under its direct command, including the [[Croatian Special Operations Forces Command|ZSS]], [[Honor Guard Battalion (Croatia)|Honour Guard Battalion]] and several others.
 
The current structure of the Croatian Armed Forces has been in force since 1 December 2014 and consists of the [[General Staff of the Armed Forces (Croatia)|General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces]], Croatian Army (HKoV), Croatian Navy (HRM), Croatian Air Force (HRZ), Croatian defense Academy (HVU), Support Command (ZZP), [[Croatian Special Operations Forces Command|Special Forces Command]] (ZSS), Military Disciplinary Court (VSS), Military representations (VP) and Headquarter support units (PP).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/dodatni/434032.pdf|title=DUGOROČNI PLAN RAZVOJA ORUŽANIH SNAGA REPUBLIKE HRVATSKE ZA RAZDOBLJE OD 2015. DO 2024.}}</ref>
 
* '''[[General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces]]''' is a joint body organized within the [[Ministry of Defence (Croatia)|Ministry of defense]] which is responsible for the command, preparation and use of the Armed Forces. General Staff commands the entire Armed Forces in accordance with the dictate of the Commander-in-Chief ([[President of Croatia]]) and the Minister of Defense and performs other professional activities for the Commander-in-Chief and the Minister of Defense. It also has a number of units under its direct command, including the [[Croatian Special Operations Forces Command|ZSS]], [[Honor Guard Battalion (Croatia)|Honour Guard Battalion]] and several others.
* '''Commands of the branches of the Armed Forces''' are responsible for the functioning of the branches of the Armed Forces and are responsible for the preparation of subordinate commands and units for the execution of tasks. Branch commands participate in the professional development of personnel and are responsible for the training of active and reserve personnel.
* '''Commands of the branches of the Armed Forces''' are responsible for the functioning of the branches of the Armed Forces and are responsible for the preparation of subordinate commands and units for the execution of tasks. Branch commands participate in the professional development of personnel and are responsible for the training of active and reserve personnel.
* '''Croatian Defense Academy (HVU)''', also known as the "[[Franjo Tuđman|Dr. Franjo Tuđman]]", is a higher educational military institution of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia. It is responsible for the training of individuals for the needs of the entire Croatian Armed Forces. It is located in the "[[Petar Zrinski]]" barracks in the Zagreb district of [[Črnomerec]].
* '''Croatian Defence Academy (HVU)''', also known as the "Dr. [[Franjo Tuđman]]", is a higher educational military institution of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia. It is responsible for the training of individuals for the needs of the entire Croatian Armed Forces. It is located in the "[[Petar Zrinski]]" barracks in the Zagreb district of [[Črnomerec]].
* '''Support Command (ZZP)''' is the most important part of the logistics system of the Croatian Armed Forces and is responsible for the implementation of logistical, medical and part of personnel support for the Croatian Armed Forces. It's responsible for the acquisition and preparation of all State resources allocated to the Armed Forces and for the overall plan of their use and its applicability to operations on the battlefield.
* '''Support Command (ZZP)''' is the most important part of the logistics system of the Croatian Armed Forces and is responsible for the implementation of logistical, medical and part of personnel support for the Croatian Armed Forces. It's responsible for the acquisition and preparation of all State resources allocated to the Armed Forces and for the overall plan of their use and its applicability to operations on the battlefield.
* [[Croatian Special Operations Forces Command|'''Croatian Special Forces Command''']] '''(ZSS)''' is one of the three independent commands of the [[Croatian Armed Forces]], subordinate directly to the [[General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia]]. CROSOFCOM mission is to ensure the combat readiness of the [[Special forces|special operations forces]] for operations in defense of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the [[Republic of Croatia]] and to participate in [[NATO]] and coalition-led operations.
* [[Croatian Special Operations Forces Command|'''Croatian Special Forces Command''']] '''(ZSS)''' is one of the three independent commands of the Croatian Armed Forces, subordinate directly to the [[General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces]]. CROSOFCOM mission is to ensure the combat readiness of the [[Special forces|special operations forces]] for operations in defence of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the [[Republic of Croatia]] and to participate in [[NATO]] and coalition-led operations.
* '''Military representations (VP)''' represent the Armed Forces and carry out their duties, professional tasks related to participation in the work and monitoring the work of departments, working groups, permanent and temporary bodies at the [[NATO|North Atlantic Alliance]], [[European Union]] and at the [[Allied Command Operations]] and the [[Allied Command Transformation]].
* '''Military representations (VP)''' represent the Armed Forces and carry out their duties, professional tasks related to participation in the work and monitoring the work of departments, working groups, permanent and temporary bodies at the [[NATO|North Atlantic Alliance]], [[European Union]] and at the [[Allied Command Operations]] and the [[Allied Command Transformation]].
* '''Staff support units (PP)''' are established for the purpose of developing capabilities for the implementation of various tasks and support activities, which other compositions, due to the specificity or scope, cannot be provided by the Armed Forces within its organic composition. Those units are: Intelligence Center (SOD), Military Police Regiment (PVP), [[Honor Guard Battalion (Croatia)|Honor Guard Battalion]] (PZB), Center for Communication and Information Systems (SKIS), Personnel Management Center (ZUO) and Home of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (DGSOS)
* '''Staff support units (PP)''' are established for the purpose of developing capabilities for the implementation of various tasks and support activities, which other compositions, due to the specificity or scope, cannot be provided by the Armed Forces within its organic composition. Those units are: Intelligence Center (SOD), Military Police Regiment (PVP), [[Honor Guard Battalion (Croatia)|Honor Guard Battalion]] (PZB), Center for Communication and Information Systems (SKIS), Personnel Management Center (ZUO) and Home of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (DGSOS)
=== Organization chart ===
[[File:Croatian Armed Forces - Organization 2026.png|thumb|center|912x912px|Croatian Armed Forces organization as of April 2026 (click image to enlarge)]]


== Military assets ==
== Military assets ==
{{Further|List of equipment of the Croatian Army|List of active Croatian Navy ships|Croatian Air Force#Aircraft}}
{{Further|List of equipment of the Croatian Army|List of active Croatian Navy ships|Croatian Air Force#Aircraft}}
[[File:B-52H Stratofortress Integrates with NATO Allies During BTF 25-2 (250303-F-TE598-1358).jpg|thumb|A Croatian [[Dassault Rafale|Rafale]] fighter jet in a simulated [[NATO]] intercept with the U.S. in 2025]]
[[File:B-52H Stratofortress Integrates with NATO Allies During BTF 25-2 (250303-F-TE598-1358).jpg|thumb|A Croatian [[Dassault Rafale|Rafale]] fighter jet in a simulated [[NATO]] intercept with the U.S. in 2025]]
The Croatian Armed Forces maintain a variety of military assets, including weapons, vehicles, aircraft, drones, ships, technology, radar systems, and infrastructure. Croatia has a robust [[defense industrial base]] due to its close partnership with the European Union and United States.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Petrović |first=Valentino |date=December 1, 2024 |title=Croatia external relations briefing: Defense Spending in Croatia and New Investments |journal=China-CEE Institute |volume=79 |issue=4 |issn=2939-5933 |quote=The Croatian Armed Forces and its modernization of the military, to be conducted through the implementation of ongoing projects to equip the military with advanced technologies, such as multi-role combat aircraft, infantry fighting vehicles, and multi-role helicopters.}}</ref> The Croatian military is among the most [[List of countries by level of military equipment|technologically-advanced in Southeast Europe]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Croatia signed [[Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control|Annex 1-B]] of the [[Dayton Agreement]] in 1996, establishing a regional notification and data exchange program for select military assets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Djokic |first=Katarina |date=January 1, 2025 |title=Subregional Arms Control and Conflict Prevention in the Western Balkans |url=https://www.sipri.org/publications/2025/eu-non-proliferation-and-disarmament-papers/subregional-arms-control-and-conflict-prevention-western-balkans |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}}</ref> The country is an emerging military supplier to [[NATO]] with many of its key [[Military base|military installations]] on the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic Coast]] in active use by NATO and the [[United States Navy]]. Since [[Operation Sharp Guard]] in 1993, the [[Geography of Croatia#Area and borders|territorial waters of Croatia]] have been a [[Deterrence theory|deterrence asset]] in Southern Europe for the Croatian Navy and NATO.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellamy |first=Christopher |date=19 June 1996 |title=Naval blockade lifts in Adriatic |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/naval-blockade-lifts-in-adriatic-1337903.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250120213652/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/naval-blockade-lifts-in-adriatic-1337903.html |archive-date=2025-01-20 |access-date=2025-06-26 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="google3">{{Cite book |author=Jack Sweetman |url=https://archive.org/details/americannavalhis0003swee |title=American naval history: an illustrated chronology of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-present |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=2002 |isbn=1-55750-867-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/americannavalhis0003swee/page/292 292] |quote=operation sharp guard. |access-date=June 7, 2010 |url-access=registration}}</ref>   
The Croatian Armed Forces maintain a variety of military assets, including weapons, vehicles, aircraft, drones, ships, technology, radar systems, and infrastructure. Croatia has a robust [[defense industrial base|defence industrial base]] due to its close partnership with the European Union and United States.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Petrović |first=Valentino |date=December 1, 2024 |title=Croatia external relations briefing: Defense Spending in Croatia and New Investments |journal=China-CEE Institute |volume=79 |issue=4 |issn=2939-5933 |quote=The Croatian Armed Forces and its modernization of the military, to be conducted through the implementation of ongoing projects to equip the military with advanced technologies, such as multi-role combat aircraft, infantry fighting vehicles, and multi-role helicopters.}}</ref> The Croatian military is among the most [[List of countries by level of military equipment|technologically-advanced in Southeast Europe]].<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> Croatia signed [[Agreement on Sub-Regional Arms Control|Annex 1-B]] of the [[Dayton Agreement]] in 1996, establishing a regional notification and data exchange program for select military assets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Djokic |first=Katarina |date=January 1, 2025 |title=Subregional Arms Control and Conflict Prevention in the Western Balkans |url=https://www.sipri.org/publications/2025/eu-non-proliferation-and-disarmament-papers/subregional-arms-control-and-conflict-prevention-western-balkans |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute}}</ref> The country is an emerging military supplier to [[NATO]] with many of its key [[Military base|military installations]] on the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic Coast]] in active use by NATO and the [[United States Navy]]. Since [[Operation Sharp Guard]] in 1993, the [[Geography of Croatia#Area and borders|territorial waters of Croatia]] have been a [[Deterrence theory|deterrence asset]] in Southern Europe for the Croatian Navy and NATO.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellamy |first=Christopher |date=19 June 1996 |title=Naval blockade lifts in Adriatic |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/naval-blockade-lifts-in-adriatic-1337903.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120213652/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/naval-blockade-lifts-in-adriatic-1337903.html |archive-date=2025-01-20 |access-date=2025-06-26 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="google3">{{Cite book |author=Jack Sweetman |url=https://archive.org/details/americannavalhis0003swee |title=American naval history: an illustrated chronology of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-present |publisher=Naval Institute Press |year=2002 |isbn=1-55750-867-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/americannavalhis0003swee/page/292 292] |quote=operation sharp guard. |access-date=June 7, 2010 |url-access=registration}}</ref>   


The [[Croatian Army]] has some of the following military assets: 650 [[Armoured fighting vehicle|AFVs]], around 150 pieces of [[artillery]], 105 [[Multiple rocket launcher|MLRSs]], 75 [[M-84|tanks]], and 25 [[Self-propelled gun|SPGs]]. The [[Croatian Air Force]] has 12 [[Dassault Rafale|Dassault Rafale F3-R]] fighter jets, 8 [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|UH-60 Black Hawk]] helicopters, d10 [[Mil Mi-17|Mi-171]] combat-transport helicopters and 15 [[Bell OH-58 Kiowa|OH-58 Kiowa]] attack helicopters. The [[Croatian Navy]] has 30 ships, out of which five 60-80 metre fast attack craft are used in offensive capabilities.<ref name=":2" /> Following the [[2022 Zagreb Tu-141 crash]], the Croatian military promptly acquired [[surface-to-air missile]] (SAM) air defense systems [[Mistral (missile)|Mistral]] and [[MICA (missile)|VL MICA]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mistrali stižu za godinu dana, MICA-e 2026. |url=https://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/mistrali-stizu-za-godinu-dana-mica-e-2026-1640607 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=www.vecernji.hr |language=hr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=[VIDEO/FOTO]Nova protuzračna obrana koju nabavljavamo od Francuske mogla bi nas koštati pola milijarde eura |url=https://www.tportal.hr/vijesti/clanak/nova-protuzracna-obrana-koju-nabavljavamo-od-francuske-mogla-bi-nas-kostati-pola-milijarde-eura-foto-20221018 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=tportal.hr}}</ref> From 2024 to 2025, it purchased 50 [[Leopard 2|Leopard 2A8]] from Germany as well as additional Black Hawk helicopters, eight [[M142 HIMARS|HIMARS]] rocket launchers and 89 [[Bradley Fighting Vehicle|Bradley M2A2]] tanks from the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-10-28 |title=Croatia to buy Leopard tanks from Germany in swap for Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/croatia-buy-leopard-tanks-germany-swap-ukraine-2024-10-28/ |access-date=2025-06-14 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Guinilachi |first=Juliana |date=January 31, 2025 |title=Croatian Army Receives First Four Bradley Vehicles Acquired From US |url=https://thedefensepost.com/2025/01/23/croatian-four-bradley-vehicles-us/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}</ref>   
The [[Croatian Army]] has some of the following military assets: 650 [[Armoured fighting vehicle|AFVs]], around 150 pieces of [[artillery]], 105 [[Multiple rocket launcher|MLRSs]], 75 [[M-84|tanks]], and 25 [[Self-propelled gun|SPGs]]. The [[Croatian Air Force]] has 12 [[Dassault Rafale|Dassault Rafale F3-R]] fighter jets, 8 [[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|UH-60 Black Hawk]] helicopters, d10 [[Mil Mi-17|Mi-171]] combat-transport helicopters and 15 [[Bell OH-58 Kiowa|OH-58 Kiowa]] attack helicopters. The [[Croatian Navy]] has 30 ships, out of which five 60-80 metre fast attack craft are used in offensive capabilities.<ref name=":2" /> Following the [[2022 Zagreb Tu-141 crash]], the Croatian military promptly acquired [[surface-to-air missile]] (SAM) air defence systems [[Mistral (missile)|Mistral]] and [[MICA (missile)|VL MICA]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mistrali stižu za godinu dana, MICA-e 2026. |url=https://www.vecernji.hr/vijesti/mistrali-stizu-za-godinu-dana-mica-e-2026-1640607 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=www.vecernji.hr |language=hr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=[VIDEO/FOTO]Nova protuzračna obrana koju nabavljavamo od Francuske mogla bi nas koštati pola milijarde eura |url=https://www.tportal.hr/vijesti/clanak/nova-protuzracna-obrana-koju-nabavljavamo-od-francuske-mogla-bi-nas-kostati-pola-milijarde-eura-foto-20221018 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=tportal.hr}}</ref> From 2024 to 2025, it purchased 50 [[Leopard 2|Leopard 2A8]] from Germany as well as additional Black Hawk helicopters, eight [[M142 HIMARS|HIMARS]] rocket launchers and 89 [[Bradley Fighting Vehicle|Bradley M2A2]] tanks from the United States.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-10-28 |title=Croatia to buy Leopard tanks from Germany in swap for Ukraine |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/croatia-buy-leopard-tanks-germany-swap-ukraine-2024-10-28/ |access-date=2025-06-14 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Guinilachi |first=Juliana |date=January 31, 2025 |title=Croatian Army Receives First Four Bradley Vehicles Acquired From US |url=https://thedefensepost.com/2025/01/23/croatian-four-bradley-vehicles-us/ |access-date=January 31, 2025 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}</ref>   


Croatia’s has material private sector involvement in the research and development of drone technology used by the Armed Forces.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Barišić |first=Marko |date=2025-05-22 |title=Croatia’s secret drone history revealed: Leading the world back in 1993? |url=https://vjesnik.com.au/2025/05/croatias-secret-drone-history-revealed-leading-the-world-back-in-1993/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Hrvatski Vjesnik |language=en-US}}</ref> The military has tested Croatian-Estonian technology Vegvisir, a [[Augmented reality|mixed reality]] digital mapping system that allows for ultra-low latency [[Spatial ability|spatial visibility]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saballa |first=Joe |date=February 20, 2023 |title=Estonian-Croatian Firm Tests New Combat Vehicle Awareness System |url=https://thedefensepost.com/2023/02/20/defensphere-combat-vehicle-awareness/ |access-date=June 18, 2025 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}</ref> It significantly expanded its [[drone warfare|military drone]] program through strategic procurements and domestic manufacturing of [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|unmanned aerial vehicles]] (UAVs) in 2024.<ref name=":5" /> During the 1990s the military was known for its covert aerial surveillance drone program, later becoming one of the first countries to use armed drones in active warfare in 1993.<ref name=":5" /> Since 2025, it has a planned annual production of 500,000 combat drones as part of [[2020s European rearmament|broader European and NATO rearmament]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anušić |first=Ivan |date=May 20, 2025 |title=Croatia could lead in EU small combat drone production, says defence minister |url=https://vlada.gov.hr/news/croatia-could-lead-in-eu-small-combat-drone-production-says-defence-minister/44465 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=vlada.gov.hr}}</ref> Croatian robotics company [[DOK-ING]] was contracted by German arms manufacturer [[Rheinmetall]] to produce an advanced reconnaissance drone fleet for NATO countries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernhard |first=Bjoern |date=2024-10-28 |title=Rheinmetall, Croatia's DOK-ING eye joint venture for unmanned military vehicles |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/rheinmetall-croatias-dok-ing-eye-joint-venture-unmanned-military-vehicles-2024-10-28/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, it purchased six armed [[Bayraktar TB2]] drones from Turkey.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Inder |date=November 19, 2024 |title=Croatia to Procure Six Bayraktar TB2 Drones for $95 Million |url=https://thedefensepost.com/2024/11/19/croatia-bayraktar-tb2-drones/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}</ref>  
Croatia’s has material private sector involvement in the research and development of drone technology used by the Armed Forces.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Barišić |first=Marko |date=2025-05-22 |title=Croatia’s secret drone history revealed: Leading the world back in 1993? |url=https://vjesnik.com.au/2025/05/croatias-secret-drone-history-revealed-leading-the-world-back-in-1993/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Hrvatski Vjesnik |language=en-US}}</ref> The military has tested Croatian-Estonian technology Vegvisir, a [[Augmented reality|mixed reality]] digital mapping system that allows for ultra-low latency [[Spatial ability|spatial visibility]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saballa |first=Joe |date=February 20, 2023 |title=Estonian-Croatian Firm Tests New Combat Vehicle Awareness System |url=https://thedefensepost.com/2023/02/20/defensphere-combat-vehicle-awareness/ |access-date=June 18, 2025 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}</ref> It significantly expanded its [[drone warfare|military drone]] program through strategic procurements and domestic manufacturing of [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|unmanned aerial vehicles]] (UAVs) in 2024.<ref name=":5" /> During the 1990s the military was known for its covert aerial surveillance drone program, later becoming one of the first countries to use armed drones in active warfare in 1993.<ref name=":5" /> Since 2025, it has a planned annual production of 500,000 combat drones as part of [[2020s European rearmament|broader European and NATO rearmament]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anušić |first=Ivan |date=May 20, 2025 |title=Croatia could lead in EU small combat drone production, says defence minister |url=https://vlada.gov.hr/news/croatia-could-lead-in-eu-small-combat-drone-production-says-defence-minister/44465 |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=vlada.gov.hr}}</ref> Croatian robotics company [[DOK-ING]] was contracted by German arms manufacturer [[Rheinmetall]] to produce an advanced reconnaissance drone fleet for NATO countries.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernhard |first=Bjoern |date=2024-10-28 |title=Rheinmetall, Croatia's DOK-ING eye joint venture for unmanned military vehicles |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/rheinmetall-croatias-dok-ing-eye-joint-venture-unmanned-military-vehicles-2024-10-28/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, it purchased six armed [[Bayraktar TB2]] drones from Turkey.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Inder |date=November 19, 2024 |title=Croatia to Procure Six Bayraktar TB2 Drones for $95 Million |url=https://thedefensepost.com/2024/11/19/croatia-bayraktar-tb2-drones/ |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}</ref>  


== Personnel ==
== Personnel ==
In 2023, the Armed Forces had 15,900 members, of which 14,103 were active military personnel and 1,806 civil servants.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Godišnjeizvješćeoobraniza2023. godinu |url=https://www.sabor.hr/sites/default/files/uploads/sabor/2024-10-25/090702/IZVJ_OBRANA_2023.pdf}}</ref> Total available male manpower aged 16–49 numbers 1,035,712, of which 771,323 are technically fit for military service. Croatia used [[Conscription|military conscription]] (for men aged 18 to 28) from 1991 to 2008, with conscription for all men aged 18 to 30 expected to resume in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2024 |title=Croatia to reintroduce compulsory military draft as regional tensions soar |url=https://apnews.com/article/croatia-military-draft-balkans-f6e5577b55f7741de2f831de89d534a2 |website=[[Associated Press News]]}}</ref><ref name=":4" />
As of 2024, the Armed Forces had 13,814 active military personnel with 17,352 reservists.<ref>{{cite web |title=Godišnje izvješće o obrani za 2024. godinu |author=Vlada Republike Hrvatske |date=May 2025 |url=https://www.sabor.hr/sites/default/files/uploads/sabor/2025-05-05/124206/GODISNJE_IZVJESCE_OBRANA_2024.pdf |publisher=Hrvatski sabor |language=hr |access-date=2026-04-06}}</ref> Total available male manpower aged 16–49 numbers 1,035,712, of which 771,323 are technically fit for military service. Croatia has had [[Conscription|military conscription]] (for men aged 18 to 28) since 2025, previously enacted from 1991 to 2008.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2024 |title=Croatia to reintroduce compulsory military draft as regional tensions soar |url=https://apnews.com/article/croatia-military-draft-balkans-f6e5577b55f7741de2f831de89d534a2 |website=[[Associated Press News]]}}</ref><ref name=":4" />


== Command and control ==
== Command ==
[[File:President Milanović (7136654).jpg|thumb|Croatian President [[Zoran Milanović]] inspecting Croatian and U.S. troops in 2022]]
[[File:President Milanović (7136654).jpg|thumb|Croatian President [[Zoran Milanović]] inspecting Croatian and U.S. troops in 2022]]
The Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces is the [[President of Croatia|President of the Republic of Croatia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=USTAV RH |url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/232289.html}}</ref> Command of the Armed Forces in peacetime shall be exercised by the Commander-in-Chief through the Minister of defense, who shall be responsible to the Commander-in-Chief for the implementation of the order and shall report to him on the implementation. In a state of imminent threat and a state of war, the Commander-in-Chief directly issues orders to the [[Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (Croatia)|Chief of the General Staff]] and at the same time informs the [[Ministry of Defence (Croatia)|Minister of defense]] of the issued orders. In this case, the Chief of the General Staff shall be responsible to the Commander-in-Chief for the implementation of the order. If the Minister of defense fails to carry out the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, who may exercise command of the Armed Forces directly through the Chief of the General Staff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2002_03_33_709.html|title=Zakon o obrani|website=narodne-novine.nn.hr}}</ref>
The Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces is the [[President of Croatia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=USTAV RH |url=http://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/232289.html}}</ref> Command of the Armed Forces in peacetime shall be exercised by the Commander-in-Chief through the [[Ministry of Defence (Croatia)|Minister of Defence]], who shall be responsible to the Commander-in-Chief for the implementation of the order and shall report to him on the implementation. In a state of imminent threat and a state of war, the Commander-in-Chief directly issues orders to the [[Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (Croatia)|Chief of the General Staff]] and at the same time informs the Minister of Defence of the issued orders. In this case, the Chief of the General Staff shall be responsible to the Commander-in-Chief for the implementation of the order. If the Minister of defence fails to carry out the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, who may exercise command of the Armed Forces directly through the Chief of the General Staff.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://narodne-novine.nn.hr/clanci/sluzbeni/2002_03_33_709.html|title=Zakon o obrani|website=narodne-novine.nn.hr}}</ref>


Command and direction in the Armed Forces shall be carried out by officers and non-commissioned officers appointed and assigned to command duties in the Armed Forces. Command is based on the principles of single-leadership and subordination. Members of the Armed Forces shall be accountable to their superiors for their work, command and management. For the purpose of establishing a unified system of command and control over all parts of units in the country and abroad, a new organizational unit was established at the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces: the Command Operations Center (ZOS).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strateski pregled obrane |url=http://www.morh.hr/katalog/documents/spo_hrv.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216014600/http://www.morh.hr/katalog/documents/spo_hrv.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2008 }}</ref> A unique operational picture is created in the Command Operations Center and enables the conduct of all activities and operations of the Croatian Armed Forces units in the period of up to 96 hours, including the engagement of forces in the execution of tasks of surveillance of the air and sea space of the Republic of Croatia. The [[Croatian Parliament]] exercises democratic control over the Armed Forces.
Command and direction in the Armed Forces shall be carried out by officers and non-commissioned officers appointed and assigned to command duties in the Armed Forces. Command is based on the principles of single-leadership and subordination. Members of the Armed Forces shall be accountable to their superiors for their work, command and management. For the purpose of establishing a unified system of command and control over all parts of units in the country and abroad, a new organizational unit was established at the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces: the Command Operations Center (ZOS).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Strateski pregled obrane |url=http://www.morh.hr/katalog/documents/spo_hrv.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216014600/http://www.morh.hr/katalog/documents/spo_hrv.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2008 }}</ref> A unique operational picture is created in the Command Operations Center and enables the conduct of all activities and operations of the Croatian Armed Forces units in the period of up to 96 hours, including the engagement of forces in the execution of tasks of surveillance of the air and sea space of the Republic of Croatia. The [[Croatian Parliament]] exercises democratic control over the Armed Forces.
Line 146: Line 148:
=== United States ===
=== United States ===
{{Further|Croatia–United States relations#Military cooperation}}
{{Further|Croatia–United States relations#Military cooperation}}
[[File:Minnesota_National_Guard_joins_Croatian_partner_celebration_(9254707).jpg|thumb|The [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] carrying the American flag through Croatia during a military parade, 2025]]
[[File:US_Navy_021101-N-1955P-001_An_F-14_of_Fighter_Squadron_One_Zero_Three_(VF-103).jpg|thumb|Pair of Croatian MiG-21s and U.S. Navy [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14]] over [[Adriatic Sea]], 2002]]
[[File:US_Navy_021101-N-1955P-001_An_F-14_of_Fighter_Squadron_One_Zero_Three_(VF-103).jpg|thumb|Pair of Croatian MiG-21s and U.S. Navy [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14]] over [[Adriatic Sea]], 2002]]
Croatia and the United States are [[Croatia–United States relations#Military cooperation|close military allies]] and share a robust bilateral [[defense industrial base]].<ref>{{cite web |title=MVEP • Upozorenja |url=http://www.mvep.hr/hr/konzularne-informacije/informacije-o-putovanjima/upozorenja/ |access-date=2016-03-23 |publisher=Mvep.hr}}</ref><ref name="eucom.mil">{{cite web |title=Croatia &#124; United States European Command |url=http://www.eucom.mil/mission/the-region/croatia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103510/http://www.eucom.mil/mission/the-region/croatia |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2016-03-23 |publisher=Eucom.mil}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Krešimir Žabec |date=2013-10-28 |title=Tajanstveni peti kat ambasade SAD-a u Buzinu |url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/tajanstveni-peti-kat-ambasade-sad-a-u-buzinu-/1136015/ |access-date=2016-03-23 |publisher=Jutarnji.hr}}</ref> In 1995, the U.S. trained and equipped the Croatian Armed Forces in joint-initiation of [[Operation Storm]] during the [[Croatian War of Independence]], securing much of modern [[Geography of Croatia|Croatian borders]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pukanic |first=Ivo |date=May 24, 2005 |title=United States' Role in [Operation] Storm |url=https://rieas.gr/researchareas/global-issues/asian-studies/682-usa-role-in-storm |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Engelberg |first=Stephen |date=1995-08-13 |title=CONFLICT IN THE BALKANS: U.S. POLICY; U.S. Took a Calculated Risk In Not Curbing Croat Attack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/13/world/conflict-balkans-us-policy-us-took-calculated-risk-not-curbing-croat-attack.html |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Both are members of [[NATO]], leveraging Croatia's aerospace and defense manufacturing and U.S. military operations to advance multilateral initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drazen |date=2025-01-17 |title=Anušić at handover of the Bradley vehicle: Owing to excellent cooperation with the USA, the Croatian Armed Forces are a modern, capable and strong armed force |url=https://www.morh.hr/en/anusic-at-handover-of-the-bradley-vehicle-owing-to-excellent-cooperation-with-the-usa-the-croatian-armed-forces-are-a-modern-capable-and-strong-armed-force/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=MORH |language=en-US}}</ref> After the [[2022 Zagreb Tu-141 crash|2022 Tu-141 drone crash]] in Zagreb, the U.S. dispatched two [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 fighter jets]] in a show of [[Power projection|military strength]] for Croatia. U.S. interests in Croatia are centered on the state's [[Political stability|stabilizing influence]] in the region and extending the global reach of jointly-held [[Western world|Western ideals]]. Both nations exchange military assets and foreign intelligence. The [[Croatian Americans|Croatian diaspora in the U.S.]] is estimated to be around 500,000 which, in part, informs the [[Foreign relations of Croatia|military policy of Croatia]]. The U.S. and Croatia work together within 11 separate military programs, funds and initiatives.<ref>{{cite web |date=2016-03-19 |title=Što je Hrvatska do danas zaradila od SAD? |url=http://obris.org/hrvatska/sto-je-hrvatska-do-danas-zaradila-od-sad/ |access-date=2016-03-23 |publisher=Obris.org}}</ref>
Croatia and the United States are [[Croatia–United States relations#Military cooperation|close military allies]] and share a robust bilateral [[defense industrial base|defence industrial base]].<ref>{{cite web |title=MVEP • Upozorenja |url=http://www.mvep.hr/hr/konzularne-informacije/informacije-o-putovanjima/upozorenja/ |access-date=2016-03-23 |publisher=Mvep.hr}}</ref><ref name="eucom.mil">{{cite web |title=Croatia &#124; United States European Command |url=http://www.eucom.mil/mission/the-region/croatia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304103510/http://www.eucom.mil/mission/the-region/croatia |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2016-03-23 |publisher=Eucom.mil}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{cite web |author=Krešimir Žabec |date=2013-10-28 |title=Tajanstveni peti kat ambasade SAD-a u Buzinu |url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/tajanstveni-peti-kat-ambasade-sad-a-u-buzinu-/1136015/ |access-date=2016-03-23 |publisher=Jutarnji.hr}}</ref> In 1995, the U.S. trained and equipped the Croatian Armed Forces in joint-initiation of [[Operation Storm]] during the [[Croatian War of Independence]], securing much of modern [[Geography of Croatia|Croatian borders]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pukanic |first=Ivo |date=May 24, 2005 |title=United States' Role in [Operation] Storm |url=https://rieas.gr/researchareas/global-issues/asian-studies/682-usa-role-in-storm |access-date=June 16, 2025 |website=The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Engelberg |first=Stephen |date=1995-08-13 |title=CONFLICT IN THE BALKANS: U.S. POLICY; U.S. Took a Calculated Risk In Not Curbing Croat Attack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/13/world/conflict-balkans-us-policy-us-took-calculated-risk-not-curbing-croat-attack.html |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Both are members of [[NATO]], leveraging Croatia's aerospace and defence manufacturing and U.S. military operations to advance multilateral initiatives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Drazen |date=2025-01-17 |title=Anušić at handover of the Bradley vehicle: Owing to excellent cooperation with the USA, the Croatian Armed Forces are a modern, capable and strong armed force |url=https://www.morh.hr/en/anusic-at-handover-of-the-bradley-vehicle-owing-to-excellent-cooperation-with-the-usa-the-croatian-armed-forces-are-a-modern-capable-and-strong-armed-force/ |access-date=2025-06-16 |website=MORH |language=en-US}}</ref> After the [[2022 Zagreb Tu-141 crash|2022 Tu-141 drone crash]] in Zagreb, the U.S. dispatched two [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16 fighter jets]] in a show of [[Power projection|military strength]] for Croatia.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=United States Air Force F-16s from Italy support NATO's collective defence in Croatia|url=https://ac.nato.int/archive/2022/USAF-F16-Coratiadefence.aspx|access-date=2022-12-06|website=ac.nato.int|language=en}}</ref> U.S. interests in Croatia are centered on the state's [[Political stability|stabilizing influence]] in the region and extending the global reach of jointly-held [[Western world|Western ideals]]. Both nations exchange military assets and foreign intelligence. The [[Croatian Americans|Croatian diaspora in the U.S.]] is estimated to be around 1.2 million which, in part, informs the [[Foreign relations of Croatia|military policy of Croatia]].<ref name="Diaspora">{{cite web|url=http://www.hrvatiizvanrh.hr/en/hmiu/croatian-diaspora-in-the-united-states-of-america/35|title=Croatian Diaspora in the United States of America|publisher=Republic of Croatia State Office for Croats Abroad|date=2013|access-date=January 23, 2016|archive-date=February 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206072611/http://www.hrvatiizvanrh.hr/en/hmiu/croatian-diaspora-in-the-united-states-of-america/35|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":10" /> The U.S. and Croatia collaborate on 11 separate military programs, funds, and initiatives.<ref>{{cite web |date=2016-03-19 |title=Što je Hrvatska do danas zaradila od SAD? |url=http://obris.org/hrvatska/sto-je-hrvatska-do-danas-zaradila-od-sad/ |access-date=2016-03-23 |publisher=Obris.org}}</ref>


The [[United States Navy]] frequently docks naval ships and aircraft carriers in [[Split, Croatia|Split]], where it maintains a logistical office in the [[Lora (Split)|Lora Naval Base]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=EOD Training Facility Construction at Lora Naval Base Breaks Ground |url=https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/Article/2582992/eod-training-facility-construction-at-lora-naval-base-breaks-ground/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250426202837/https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/Article/2582992/eod-training-facility-construction-at-lora-naval-base-breaks-ground/ |archive-date=2025-04-26 |access-date=2025-06-26 |work=U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S.  Sixth Fleet |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[United States European Command]] maintains a training facility at this naval base.<ref>{{Cite news |title=EOD Training Facility Construction at Lora Naval Base Breaks Ground |url=https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/Article/2582992/eod-training-facility-construction-at-lora-naval-base-breaks-ground/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250426202837/https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/Article/2582992/eod-training-facility-construction-at-lora-naval-base-breaks-ground/ |archive-date=2025-04-26 |access-date=2025-06-26 |work=U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S.  Sixth Fleet |language=en-US}}</ref> The Croatian island of [[Krk]] has served as a logistics hub for U.S. military supply chains heading to the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marzouk |first=Ivan Angelovski, Jelena Cosic, Lawrence |date=2017-10-03 |title=Croatian Island Airport Becomes Pentagon Hub |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2017/10/03/croatian-island-airport-becomes-pentagon-hub-10-02-2017/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}</ref> The two nations have deep defence integration and interoperability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Windish |first=Katherine |date=July 26, 2011 |title=Airmen train Croatian officers, build partnership |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/112715/airmen-train-croatian-officers-build-partnership/ |access-date=June 5, 2025 |website=United States Marines}}</ref> The Croatian Armed Forces have a special relationship with the U.S.-based [[Minnesota National Guard]] through their State Partnership Program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasnake |first=Javan |date=October 29, 2024 |title=U.S.-Croatia Bilateral Defense Consultations |url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3949719/readout-of-us-croatia-bilateral-defense-consultations/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250430041314/https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3949719/readout-of-us-croatia-bilateral-defense-consultations/ |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=U.S. Department of Defense |language=en-US}}</ref>
The [[United States Navy]] frequently docks naval ships and aircraft carriers in [[Split, Croatia|Split]], where it maintains a logistical office in the [[Lora (Split)|Lora Naval Base]].<ref>{{Cite news |title=EOD Training Facility Construction at Lora Naval Base Breaks Ground |url=https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/Article/2582992/eod-training-facility-construction-at-lora-naval-base-breaks-ground/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426202837/https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/Article/2582992/eod-training-facility-construction-at-lora-naval-base-breaks-ground/ |archive-date=2025-04-26 |access-date=2025-06-26 |work=U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S.  Sixth Fleet |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Mark |title=U.S. Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Split, Highlighting Alliance — and Stirring Debate |url=https://www.thedubrovniktimes.com/news/croatia/item/19646-u-s-aircraft-carrier-arrives-in-split-highlighting-alliance-and-stirring-debate |access-date=2026-04-10 |website=The Dubrovnik Times |language=en-gb}}</ref> The [[United States European Command]] maintains a training facility at this naval base.<ref>{{Cite news |title=EOD Training Facility Construction at Lora Naval Base Breaks Ground |url=https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/Article/2582992/eod-training-facility-construction-at-lora-naval-base-breaks-ground/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250426202837/https://www.c6f.navy.mil/Press-Room/News/Article/2582992/eod-training-facility-construction-at-lora-naval-base-breaks-ground/ |archive-date=2025-04-26 |access-date=2025-06-26 |work=U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S.  Sixth Fleet |language=en-US}}</ref> The Croatian island of [[Krk]] has served as a logistics hub for U.S. military supply chains heading to the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marzouk |first=Ivan Angelovski, Jelena Cosic, Lawrence |date=2017-10-03 |title=Croatian Island Airport Becomes Pentagon Hub |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2017/10/03/croatian-island-airport-becomes-pentagon-hub-10-02-2017/ |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Balkan Insight |language=en-US}}</ref> The two nations have deep defence integration and interoperability.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Windish |first=Katherine |date=July 26, 2011 |title=Airmen train Croatian officers, build partnership |url=https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/112715/airmen-train-croatian-officers-build-partnership/ |access-date=June 5, 2025 |website=United States Marines}}</ref> The Croatian Armed Forces have a special relationship with the U.S.-based [[Minnesota National Guard]] through their State Partnership Program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rasnake |first=Javan |date=October 29, 2024 |title=U.S.-Croatia Bilateral Defense Consultations |url=https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3949719/readout-of-us-croatia-bilateral-defense-consultations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250430041314/https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3949719/readout-of-us-croatia-bilateral-defense-consultations/ |archive-date=2025-04-30 |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=U.S. Department of Defense |url-status=live |language=en-US}}</ref>


=== United Nations ===
=== United Nations ===
[[File:Croatian peacekeeping soldier in Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|Croatian military police [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|in Afghanistan]], 2009]]
[[File:Croatian_peacekeeping_soldier_in_Afghanistan.jpg|thumb|275x275px|A Croatian soldier [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|in Afghanistan]], 2009]]
The Croatian military began its first participation in the [[List of United Nations peacekeeping missions|UN peacekeeping mission]] in 1999 by sending 10 members of the Croatian Armed Forces to the peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone - [[United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone|UNAMSIL]] as peace observers. In addition to UN peacekeeping missions, in February 2003, with the participation of Military Police platoons in NATO's [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] mission in Afghanistan, Croatia also began its engagement in NATO missions. In October 2008, for the first time, a reconnaissance team (15 members) has been deployed to the EU peacekeeping mission ([[EUFOR]]) in Chad and the Central African Republic for 6 months.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabor.hr/sites/default/files/uploads/sabor/2024-10-25/090702/IZVJ_OBRANA_2023.pdf|title=International deployments for the year 2023}}</ref>
The Croatian military began its initial participation in [[List of United Nations peacekeeping missions|UN peacekeeping missions]] in 1999 by sending 10 members of the Croatian Armed Forces to Sierra Leone for [[United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone|UNAMSIL]] as peace observers.<ref name=":0" /> Members have similarly been participating in the [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL]] (United Nations Interim Force in [[Lebanon]]) operation since July 2007 as staff officers, and since 2013 as liaison officers.<ref name=":0" /> In March 2023, officer of the Croatian Armed Forces was commended by the UNIFIL commander for his assistance in the evacuation of injured soldiers of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] due to the activation of a mine explosive device during March 2023.<ref name=":0" />
 
In October 2008, a reconnaissance team (15 members) were deployed to EU peacekeeping missions ([[EUFOR]]) in [[Chad]] and the [[Central African Republic]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabor.hr/sites/default/files/uploads/sabor/2024-10-25/090702/IZVJ_OBRANA_2023.pdf|title=International deployments for the year 2023}}</ref>


=== NATO ===
=== NATO ===
[[File:Brussels Summit (4551609).jpg|thumb|Croatian president [[Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović|Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic]], meeting as commander-in-chief with [[NATO]] members in 2018.]]
{{Further|Croatia–NATO relations}}[[File:Podizanje NATO zastave 070409.jpg|thumb|229x229px|The [[NATO]] flag on display in Zagreb, 2009]]
Croatian soldiers have been participating in the [[Kosovo Force|KFOR operation]] in Kosovo since July 2009 when the first HRVCON was sent with 20 members and two Mi-171Sh transport helicopters. The contingents consisted of an infantry company, an air component (located at the Bondsteel base), national support components (command group, intelligence support team, national support element and mobile medical team), a reconnaissance team. In addition, the Croatian Armed Forces also participate with the staff of KFOR HQ and advisors in the NALT team, who are located in the "Film City" camp, KFOR HQ in Pristina.
Croatia has been an active participant in NATO military interventions since February 2003, with an initial deployment of Croatian military police to Afghanistan for NATO's [[International Security Assistance Force|ISAF]] mission.<ref name=":9" /> In July 2009, another deployment of Croatian soldiers were sent to [[Kosovo]], as part of [[Kosovo Force|KFOR]].<ref name=":9" /> Croatia participates in [[NATO Enhanced Forward Presence|NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence]] operation in [[Poland]] and [[Lithuania]].<ref name=":9" /> The first Croatian contingent went to Poland in October 2017, the second in March 2018, and in October of the same year, the 3rd Croatian contingent was deployed to the northeast of Poland to the military training ground "[[Bemowo Piskie]]".<ref name=":9" />
[[File:NATO BG-P Soldiers train on EIB and ESB tasks (6151363).jpg|thumb|A Croatian soldier donning joint [[Croatia–NATO relations|Croatia–NATO]] badges, 2020]]
Croatia participates in [[NATO Enhanced Forward Presence|NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence]] operation in Poland and Lithuania. The first Croatian contingent went to Poland in October 2017, the second in March 2018, and in October of the same year, the 3rd Croatian contingent (HRVCON eFPBG – USA) was deployed to the northeast of Poland to the military training ground "Bemowo Piskie" and took over the tasks of its predecessors. The 4th HRVCON is currently in Poland, together with members of the armed forces of Romania and Great Britain and are part of the Battle Group led by the United States of America, which is attached to the 15th Mechanized Brigade of the Republic of Poland. The backbone of the contingent consists of members of the Artillery and Missile Battalion of the Guards Mechanized Brigade with a battalion of self-propelled multiple rocket launchers Vulkan, staff working as part of the BGP Command, as well as the Military Police team and the national support element with associated weapons, equipment and vehicles.
 
In November 2017, the 1st Croatian Contingent of [[NATO Enhanced Forward Presence|NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence]] went to Lithuania, where they participated in this NATO activity as part of the German-led Battle Group (1st HRVCON eFPBG-DEU). 181 members of the Croatian Armed Forces were sent for a period of seven months, and the majority of the forces were members of the mechanized company from the [[1st Mechanized Battalion (Croatia)|1st Mechanized Battalion "Tigers"]] of the [[Guards Mechanized Brigade (Croatia)|Guards Mechanized Brigade]]. The basic task and mission of the Croatian contingent was integration into the multinational battle group led by the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as the implementation of training in that composition, which, in addition to members of the Croatian Armed Forces, also includes members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the French Republic and the host country of the Republic of Lithuania.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
 
As part of the further strengthening of the Allies' deterrence and defense posture and taking into account the deteriorating security situation in Eastern Europe following [[Russo-Ukrainian War|Russian aggression on Ukraine]], NATO launched an enhanced vigilance activity in February 2022, which led to the establishment of battlegroups in Hungary, the Slovak Republic, Romania and the Republic of Bulgaria. In accordance with the Decision of the Croatian Parliament of March 2022. The Republic of Croatia has been participating in this battle group since July 2022, when the first Croatian contingent was sent to Hungary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabor.hr/sites/default/files/uploads/sabor/2023-11-03/095806/GOD_IZVJ_OBRANA_2022.pdf|title=International deployment for the year 2022.}}</ref>


At the Warsaw Summit in July 2016, NATO announced the transformation of the [[Operation Active Endeavour|Active Endeavour mission]] in the Mediterranean Sea into a broader maritime security operation. The new operation was named [[Operation Sea Guardian|Sea Guardian]]. In September 2018, the [[Croatian Navy]] ship RTOP-41 Vukovar participated in the Sea Guardian peace support operation in the Mediterranean. The commander of the ship was Lieutenant Battalion Ante Uljević, and the commander of the 1st HRVCON was the captain of the corvette Nikola Bašić. It was the first time that a Croatian Navy ship participated in the NATO-led Operation Sea Guardian, where it carried out non-combat tasks with a focus on creating a comprehensive maritime situational picture, with the aim of deterring possible threats and ensuring common safety at sea.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}
As part of the further strengthening of the European deterrence against [[Russo-Ukrainian war|Russian aggression in Ukraine]], NATO launched an enhanced vigilance activity in February 2022, which led to the formation of Croatian battlegroups in [[Hungary]], [[Slovakia]], [[Romania]] and [[Bulgaria]] in July.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabor.hr/sites/default/files/uploads/sabor/2023-11-03/095806/GOD_IZVJ_OBRANA_2022.pdf|title=International deployment for the year 2022.}}</ref> The Croatian government provided over €300 million in [[List of military aid to Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war|military aid to Ukraine]] as part of broader efforts within NATO that year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 January 2026 |title=NATO Secretary General commends Croatia’s contributions to NATO and support for Ukraine |url=https://www.nato.int/en/news-and-events/articles/news/2026/01/12/nato-secretary-general-commends-croatias-contributions-to-nato-and-support-for-ukraine |access-date=10 April 2026 |website=North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) |language=en}}</ref>


Members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia have been participating in the [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL]] (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) operation since July 2007 as staff officers, and since 2013 as liaison officers. In March 2023, officer of the Croatian Armed Forces was commended by the UNIFIL commander for his assistance in the evacuation of injured soldiers of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] due to the activation of a mine explosive device during March 2023.<ref name=":0" />
== Foreign engagements ==
The Croatian Armed Forces have been deployed around the world for military engagements, peacekeeping missions, and multilateral campaigns.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=1 January 2023 |title=Contemporary Croatia |url=https://www.croatia.eu/index.php/en/home-en/history/contemporary-croatia |access-date=4 April 2026 |website=www.croatia.eu |quote=Since 1999, Croatia participated with 6,000 troops in around twenty UN, NATO and EU peacekeeping operations and missions throughout the world.}}</ref> Since 1999, over 6,000 Croatian troops have participated in foreign military interventions.<ref name=":8" /> They have deployed to multiple NATO, UN, EU, and American-led missions in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.<ref name=":8" />  
{| style="margin:auto; border:1px solid black; background:#efe8ff; font-size:95%; width:80%;"
{| style="margin:auto; border:1px solid black; background:#efe8ff; font-size:95%; width:80%;"
|-
|-
Line 173: Line 173:
! Organization
! Organization
! Location
! Location
! Number of personnel (2023)
! Number of personnel (2026)
|-
|-
| [[NATO Enhanced Forward Presence#Battle Group Poland|NATO Enhanced Forward Presence – Battle Group Poland]]
| [[NATO Enhanced Forward Presence#Battle Group Poland|NATO Enhanced Forward Presence – Battle Group Poland]]
Line 194: Line 194:
|[[Kosovo]]
|[[Kosovo]]
|520
|520
|-
|NATO mission in Iraq
|[[NATO]]
|[[Iraq]]
|26
|-
|-
|[[Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2]]
|[[Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2]]
Line 229: Line 224:
| [[Western Sahara]]
| [[Western Sahara]]
| 12
| 12
|-
|United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon - [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL]]
|[[United Nations]]
|[[Lebanon]]
|2
|-
|-
|[[Operation Inherent Resolve]]
|[[Operation Inherent Resolve]]
|[[United States Armed Forces|U.S Armed Forces]]
|[[United States Armed Forces|U.S. Armed Forces]]
|[[Kuwait]]
|[[Kuwait]]
|3
|3
Line 246: Line 236:
! Organization
! Organization
! Location
! Location
|-
|NATO mission in Iraq
|[[NATO]]
|[[Iraq]]
|-
|United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon - [[United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon|UNIFIL]]
|[[United Nations]]
|[[Lebanon]]
|-
|-
| European Union mission in Chad – [[EUFOR Tchad/RCA]]
| European Union mission in Chad – [[EUFOR Tchad/RCA]]
Line 280: Line 278:
|-
|-
|United Nations Mission in Liberia – [[UNMIL]]
|United Nations Mission in Liberia – [[UNMIL]]
|[[United Nations]]
|United Nations
|[[Liberia]]
|[[Liberia]]
|-
|-
Line 311: Line 309:


* [[Major non-NATO ally]]
* [[Major non-NATO ally]]
* [[Split Agreement]]: a 1995 defense pact with [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
* [[Defence industry of Croatia]]
* [[Split Agreement]]: a 1995 defence pact with [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]]


==References==
==References==
Line 324: Line 323:
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Military Of Croatia}}
[[Category:Military of Croatia| ]]
[[Category:Military of Croatia| ]]
[[Category:Permanent Structured Cooperation]]
[[Category:Permanent Structured Cooperation|Croatia]]

Latest revision as of 16:45, 31 May 2026

"Croatian Armed Forces" redirects here. For other uses, see Croatian Armed Forces (disambiguation).

Template:Infobox national military

The Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) are the national military forces of Croatia. The Croatian military consists of three service branches: the Croatian Army, the Croatian Navy and the Croatian Air Force. The OSRH is headed by the President of Croatia as commander-in-chief while defence policy is overseen by the Government of Croatia. The military supports the foreign policy of Croatia and Croatian security and intelligence system. The Croatian Special Forces are a co-equal tactical command unit.

Since the Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995), the Armed Forces have played a key role in protecting territorial integrity. The military's first foreign deployment was to the War in Afghanistan, in 2003, later joining the military alliance NATO in 2009. Croatia maintains a close security and foreign intelligence relationship with NATO and the United States. The military has been deployed to various United Nations (UN)-led and NATO-led missions around the world. Since joining the European Union (EU) in 2013, it became a part of the EU defence forces.

The Armed Forces have seen significant militarization and modernization since the early 2020s due to regional geopolitical risk. Its deep integration within Europe and the U.S. has led to a robust defence industrial base and emerging defence sector. The Croatian military is among the most technologically-advanced in Southeast Europe.[1][2] Croatia has had military conscription since 2025, previously enacted from 1991 to 2008. The Armed Forces are spread across continental Croatia and capital city Zagreb, with the Navy largely based in Split.

History

Main article: Military history of Croatia

Formation in the early 1990s

In the late spring of 1991, the first military units of the National Guard Corps were formed, established on 20 April 1991.[3] By the decision of the President of the Republic and which, for legal and political reasons, was formally part of the Ministry of the Interior.[3] The Croatian Party of Rights organized its armed detachments, the Croatian Defence Forces (HOS), which were privately armed, relatively well trained and trained at the tactical level, and deployed to critical positions on the battlefields.[3] The Party of Democratic Change (ZNG) armed its activists in Istria, the Littoral and Dalmatia, as did the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in other parts of Croatia.[3] In some places, the teritorijalna obrana (TO) ("Territorial Defense") system was reactivated in Zagreb which proved more effective.

The system of command and control was initially inefficient. The ZNG was under the dual jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Defence.[3] A large part of the command in the field was transferred to local crisis staffs composed and led by political officials who did not necessarily have military knowledge broader than those they had acquired during their conscription service in the JNA.[3] There were often several different units in the field, which, even if they were nominally in the same organization, often did not have a common higher command.[3]

The main tasks of the ZNG were to prevent the penetration of the JNA and other forces in the most important directions, to defend cities and critical areas, and to conquer JNA barracks in the depth of their own deployment.[3] These tasks began to be fulfilled more comprehensively and systematically only after the armed forces were organized into a single Croatian Army (HV) on the basis of the new defence Law, and when the General Staff was established on 21 September 1991, with Chief General Anton Tus as its Chief.[4] At that time, a more systematic mobilization of reserve soldiers and the organization of units, commands and institutions began, as well as the planned use of forces.

On 1 October 1991, large military-territorial and combat commands (Operational Zones) were formed with headquarters in Osijek, Bjelovar, Zagreb, Karlovac, Rijeka and Split.[3] Subordinate to them were operational groups that commanded certain directions and areas.[3] The basic and at the same time the highest tactical units were infantry brigades (professional and reserve), and brigades and battalions of other branches were also formed. By the end of the year, 63 brigades had been formed and developed.[3]

Croatian War of Independence

Further information: Croatian War of Independence
File:Tank Destroyer of the Croatian War of Independence 2.jpg
A M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer used during the Croatian War of Independence, 2019

During the Homeland War, the armed forces gradually grew to about 300,000 members.[3] Most of the units were filled from the reserve, i.e. from the personnel who acquired basic military knowledge during their compulsory military service in the Yugoslav People's Army.[3] With growing military experience, the quality of these units grew, and the organization of the entire system improved over time.[3] The training of new generations of 18-year-old young men who served in the Croatian Army continued, whereby army units during military service were generally not used for combat tasks.[3]

As the war progressed, through clandestine operations, significant amounts of military surpluses created after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact were purchased; in particular, the procurement of combat aircraft of Soviet origin was significant for the formation of the Croatian Air Force.[3] The Air Force had included about twenty MiG 21 aircraft and several Mil Mi-24 combat helicopters, as well as several transport helicopters.[5] The domestic industry has become capable of significant independent production of weapons and military equipment.[6]

The Croatian Navy was created to a large extent thanks to the successful action of capturing about one quarter of the Yugoslav Navy vessels in Šibenik in 1991. RBS-15 anti-ship missiles were also captured:[7] this system made in Sweden has not yet been put into operation by the Yugoslav Navy, and the Croatian Navy succeeded in doing so after Croatian experts independently developed the "Phobos" fire control system; namely, the Swedish manufacturer was not allowed to deliver that key part of the weapon system. With the introduction of modern missiles with a range of over 70 km into operational use, the Croatian Navy had largely prevented serious action by the enemy navy. The combined Armed Forces were in a wartime activation until 12 March 1996, when they switched to peacetime by the decision of the President of Croatia.[8]

21st century

File:M116 howitzer of the Croatian Army.jpg
A Croatian Army M116 howitzer demonstration, 2020

After the end of the war, several important waves of reforms followed. There was an increasingly visible trend of other transition countries, as well as NATO members, to put emphasis in the development of the armed forces on mobility, on interoperability and flexibility in the use of the armed forces, and not on the mass composition and heavy equipment.[9] The process of reforming the defence system began in 2002.[9] The aim of the reform and reorganization is to establish a modern structure of the defence system that will be able to respond to the challenges of the new era, taking into account the membership in NATO and within the European Union.[10] During 2003, the Ministry of defence and the General Staff began working on the Strategic defence Review (SPO), which was adopted in 2005.[9] With the adoption of the Long-Term Development Plan of the Croatian Armed Forces 2006 – 2015 (DPR) in the Croatian Parliament on 7 July 2006, clear content and time frames for further reform, development and modernization of the Croatian Armed Forces in the next decade were set.[9]

Modern military objectives have focused on developing advanced collective defence and security mechanisms, namely:[9]

File:Croatian Navy ships.jpg
Croatian Navy ships patrolling territorial waters in 2021, on the Adriatic Sea
  • transition to the professionalization of the Croatian Armed Forces, which means replenishment of soldiers voluntarily, and not through conscription;
  • the transition to a collective defence system means a smaller active and reserve composition, but better trained, equipped, compatible and interoperable with allies.
  • the possibility that smaller nations that are members of the Alliance, such as Croatia, can partially "specialize" in order to be able to contribute to joint operations in a specific way with their limited capacities.
  • even greater overall engagement of units and members of the Croatian Armed Forces in collective activities, international missions, and preventive security activities

In 2007, the Croatian government professionalized their Armed Forces by waiving the year's requirement for compulsory military service.[11] The first generation of volunteer conscripts began serving in November 2008, after formal military conscription concluded following its 1991 initiation.[12]

The Croatian military significantly expanded during the early 2020s due to the regional Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.[13] Croatia's deep integration within Europe and with the U.S. has led to modernization as well as joint procurement of advanced military assets.[14] The Croatian Parliament reenacted military conscription in 2025.[15][16] The Croatian military entered into a regional defence pact with Albania and Kosovo in 2025.[17] Amid the 2026 U.S.-Israeli war in Iran and the related Israeli incursion into Lebanon, the Croatian government preemptively withdrew its troops from Iraq and Lebanon.[18]

Defence expenditure

Further information: List of countries in Europe by military expenditures

In the post-war early 2000s, Croatia moderated its military budget to accommodate nation-building. During the wartime 1990s defence represented a major stake in Croatian public spending due to then ongoing Croatian War of Independence. In 1995, the Croatian defence budget stood at 12.4 billion Croatian kuna or around 10% of gross domestic product (GDP). Since 1995, Croatia has had the third-highest military expenditure per capita in Southeast Europe according to SIPRI.[19] Approximately €1.14 billion was paid in defence pensions to some 97,000 individuals in Croatia in 2024.[20][21] Military expenditure has increased markedly, rising 22.2% in 2024 and 18.2% in 2025.[12] Croatia brought its defence budget to 2% of GDP in 2025.[14] It intends to grow defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, commensurate with economic growth in Croatia.[22] It supports bringing defence spending to 5% by 2035.[23] Nearly 29% of defence spending in 2025 will facilitate military modernization to NATO standards, above the 20% NATO obligation.[24]

The defence expenditures of Croatia, summarized for the following years as a component of GDP:[25][26][27][14]

Year Defence expenditure % of GDP % change
2021 $1.361 billion 1.95 Increase 38.4
2022 $1.285 billion 1.78 Decrease 5.5
2023 $1.441 billion 1.74 Increase 12.1
2024 $1.624 billion 1.81 Increase 12.7
2025 $2.052 billion 2.08 Increase 26.3

Organization

File:Vlada RH.jpg
The Government of Croatia oversees its national security.

The Armed Forces are divided into branches, services, professions and their specialties. The President is the Commander-in-Chief and exercises administrative powers in times of war by giving orders to the Chief of Staff, while administration and defence policy execution in peacetime is carried out by the Government through the Ministry of Defence. This unified institution consists of land, sea, and air branches referred to as:

The current structure of the Croatian Armed Forces has been in force since 1 December 2014 and consists of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Croatian Army (HKoV), Croatian Navy (HRM), Croatian Air Force (HRZ), Croatian defence Academy (HVU), Support Command (ZZP), Special Forces Command (ZSS), Military Disciplinary Court (VSS), Military representations (VP) and Headquarter support units (PP).[28]

  • General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces is a joint body organized within the Ministry of Defence which is responsible for the command, preparation and use of the Armed Forces. General Staff commands the entire Armed Forces in accordance with the dictate of the Commander-in-Chief (President of Croatia) and the Minister of Defence and performs other professional activities for the Commander-in-Chief and the Minister of Defence. It also has a number of units under its direct command, including the ZSS, Honour Guard Battalion and several others.
  • Commands of the branches of the Armed Forces are responsible for the functioning of the branches of the Armed Forces and are responsible for the preparation of subordinate commands and units for the execution of tasks. Branch commands participate in the professional development of personnel and are responsible for the training of active and reserve personnel.
  • Croatian Defence Academy (HVU), also known as the "Dr. Franjo Tuđman", is a higher educational military institution of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia. It is responsible for the training of individuals for the needs of the entire Croatian Armed Forces. It is located in the "Petar Zrinski" barracks in the Zagreb district of Črnomerec.
  • Support Command (ZZP) is the most important part of the logistics system of the Croatian Armed Forces and is responsible for the implementation of logistical, medical and part of personnel support for the Croatian Armed Forces. It's responsible for the acquisition and preparation of all State resources allocated to the Armed Forces and for the overall plan of their use and its applicability to operations on the battlefield.
  • Croatian Special Forces Command (ZSS) is one of the three independent commands of the Croatian Armed Forces, subordinate directly to the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces. CROSOFCOM mission is to ensure the combat readiness of the special operations forces for operations in defence of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Croatia and to participate in NATO and coalition-led operations.
  • Military representations (VP) represent the Armed Forces and carry out their duties, professional tasks related to participation in the work and monitoring the work of departments, working groups, permanent and temporary bodies at the North Atlantic Alliance, European Union and at the Allied Command Operations and the Allied Command Transformation.
  • Staff support units (PP) are established for the purpose of developing capabilities for the implementation of various tasks and support activities, which other compositions, due to the specificity or scope, cannot be provided by the Armed Forces within its organic composition. Those units are: Intelligence Center (SOD), Military Police Regiment (PVP), Honor Guard Battalion (PZB), Center for Communication and Information Systems (SKIS), Personnel Management Center (ZUO) and Home of the General Staff of the Armed Forces (DGSOS)

Organization chart

File:Croatian Armed Forces - Organization 2026.png
Croatian Armed Forces organization as of April 2026 (click image to enlarge)

Military assets

Further information: List of equipment of the Croatian Army, List of active Croatian Navy ships, and Croatian Air Force § Aircraft
File:B-52H Stratofortress Integrates with NATO Allies During BTF 25-2 (250303-F-TE598-1358).jpg
A Croatian Rafale fighter jet in a simulated NATO intercept with the U.S. in 2025

The Croatian Armed Forces maintain a variety of military assets, including weapons, vehicles, aircraft, drones, ships, technology, radar systems, and infrastructure. Croatia has a robust defence industrial base due to its close partnership with the European Union and United States.[29] The Croatian military is among the most technologically-advanced in Southeast Europe.[1][2] Croatia signed Annex 1-B of the Dayton Agreement in 1996, establishing a regional notification and data exchange program for select military assets.[30] The country is an emerging military supplier to NATO with many of its key military installations on the Adriatic Coast in active use by NATO and the United States Navy. Since Operation Sharp Guard in 1993, the territorial waters of Croatia have been a deterrence asset in Southern Europe for the Croatian Navy and NATO.[31][32]

The Croatian Army has some of the following military assets: 650 AFVs, around 150 pieces of artillery, 105 MLRSs, 75 tanks, and 25 SPGs. The Croatian Air Force has 12 Dassault Rafale F3-R fighter jets, 8 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, d10 Mi-171 combat-transport helicopters and 15 OH-58 Kiowa attack helicopters. The Croatian Navy has 30 ships, out of which five 60-80 metre fast attack craft are used in offensive capabilities.[1] Following the 2022 Zagreb Tu-141 crash, the Croatian military promptly acquired surface-to-air missile (SAM) air defence systems Mistral and VL MICA.[33][34] From 2024 to 2025, it purchased 50 Leopard 2A8 from Germany as well as additional Black Hawk helicopters, eight HIMARS rocket launchers and 89 Bradley M2A2 tanks from the United States.[35][36]

Croatia’s has material private sector involvement in the research and development of drone technology used by the Armed Forces.[37] The military has tested Croatian-Estonian technology Vegvisir, a mixed reality digital mapping system that allows for ultra-low latency spatial visibility.[38] It significantly expanded its military drone program through strategic procurements and domestic manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in 2024.[37] During the 1990s the military was known for its covert aerial surveillance drone program, later becoming one of the first countries to use armed drones in active warfare in 1993.[37] Since 2025, it has a planned annual production of 500,000 combat drones as part of broader European and NATO rearmament.[39] Croatian robotics company DOK-ING was contracted by German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall to produce an advanced reconnaissance drone fleet for NATO countries.[40] In 2024, it purchased six armed Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey.[41]

Personnel

As of 2024, the Armed Forces had 13,814 active military personnel with 17,352 reservists.[42] Total available male manpower aged 16–49 numbers 1,035,712, of which 771,323 are technically fit for military service. Croatia has had military conscription (for men aged 18 to 28) since 2025, previously enacted from 1991 to 2008.[43][12]

Command

File:President Milanović (7136654).jpg
Croatian President Zoran Milanović inspecting Croatian and U.S. troops in 2022

The Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces is the President of Croatia.[44] Command of the Armed Forces in peacetime shall be exercised by the Commander-in-Chief through the Minister of Defence, who shall be responsible to the Commander-in-Chief for the implementation of the order and shall report to him on the implementation. In a state of imminent threat and a state of war, the Commander-in-Chief directly issues orders to the Chief of the General Staff and at the same time informs the Minister of Defence of the issued orders. In this case, the Chief of the General Staff shall be responsible to the Commander-in-Chief for the implementation of the order. If the Minister of defence fails to carry out the orders of the Commander-in-Chief, who may exercise command of the Armed Forces directly through the Chief of the General Staff.[45]

Command and direction in the Armed Forces shall be carried out by officers and non-commissioned officers appointed and assigned to command duties in the Armed Forces. Command is based on the principles of single-leadership and subordination. Members of the Armed Forces shall be accountable to their superiors for their work, command and management. For the purpose of establishing a unified system of command and control over all parts of units in the country and abroad, a new organizational unit was established at the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces: the Command Operations Center (ZOS).[46] A unique operational picture is created in the Command Operations Center and enables the conduct of all activities and operations of the Croatian Armed Forces units in the period of up to 96 hours, including the engagement of forces in the execution of tasks of surveillance of the air and sea space of the Republic of Croatia. The Croatian Parliament exercises democratic control over the Armed Forces.

International cooperation

United States

Further information: Croatia–United States relations § Military cooperation
File:Minnesota National Guard joins Croatian partner celebration (9254707).jpg
The U.S. Army carrying the American flag through Croatia during a military parade, 2025
File:US Navy 021101-N-1955P-001 An F-14 of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103).jpg
Pair of Croatian MiG-21s and U.S. Navy F-14 over Adriatic Sea, 2002

Croatia and the United States are close military allies and share a robust bilateral defence industrial base.[47][48][49] In 1995, the U.S. trained and equipped the Croatian Armed Forces in joint-initiation of Operation Storm during the Croatian War of Independence, securing much of modern Croatian borders.[50][51] Both are members of NATO, leveraging Croatia's aerospace and defence manufacturing and U.S. military operations to advance multilateral initiatives.[52] After the 2022 Tu-141 drone crash in Zagreb, the U.S. dispatched two F-16 fighter jets in a show of military strength for Croatia.[53] U.S. interests in Croatia are centered on the state's stabilizing influence in the region and extending the global reach of jointly-held Western ideals. Both nations exchange military assets and foreign intelligence. The Croatian diaspora in the U.S. is estimated to be around 1.2 million which, in part, informs the military policy of Croatia.[54][49] The U.S. and Croatia collaborate on 11 separate military programs, funds, and initiatives.[55]

The United States Navy frequently docks naval ships and aircraft carriers in Split, where it maintains a logistical office in the Lora Naval Base.[56][57] The United States European Command maintains a training facility at this naval base.[58] The Croatian island of Krk has served as a logistics hub for U.S. military supply chains heading to the Middle East.[59] The two nations have deep defence integration and interoperability.[60] The Croatian Armed Forces have a special relationship with the U.S.-based Minnesota National Guard through their State Partnership Program.[61]

United Nations

File:Croatian peacekeeping soldier in Afghanistan.jpg
A Croatian soldier in Afghanistan, 2009

The Croatian military began its initial participation in UN peacekeeping missions in 1999 by sending 10 members of the Croatian Armed Forces to Sierra Leone for UNAMSIL as peace observers.[62] Members have similarly been participating in the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) operation since July 2007 as staff officers, and since 2013 as liaison officers.[62] In March 2023, officer of the Croatian Armed Forces was commended by the UNIFIL commander for his assistance in the evacuation of injured soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces due to the activation of a mine explosive device during March 2023.[62]

In October 2008, a reconnaissance team (15 members) were deployed to EU peacekeeping missions (EUFOR) in Chad and the Central African Republic.[62]

NATO

Further information: Croatia–NATO relations
File:Podizanje NATO zastave 070409.jpg
The NATO flag on display in Zagreb, 2009

Croatia has been an active participant in NATO military interventions since February 2003, with an initial deployment of Croatian military police to Afghanistan for NATO's ISAF mission.[63] In July 2009, another deployment of Croatian soldiers were sent to Kosovo, as part of KFOR.[63] Croatia participates in NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence operation in Poland and Lithuania.[63] The first Croatian contingent went to Poland in October 2017, the second in March 2018, and in October of the same year, the 3rd Croatian contingent was deployed to the northeast of Poland to the military training ground "Bemowo Piskie".[63]

As part of the further strengthening of the European deterrence against Russian aggression in Ukraine, NATO launched an enhanced vigilance activity in February 2022, which led to the formation of Croatian battlegroups in Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria in July.[63] The Croatian government provided over €300 million in military aid to Ukraine as part of broader efforts within NATO that year.[64]

Foreign engagements

The Croatian Armed Forces have been deployed around the world for military engagements, peacekeeping missions, and multilateral campaigns.[65] Since 1999, over 6,000 Croatian troops have participated in foreign military interventions.[65] They have deployed to multiple NATO, UN, EU, and American-led missions in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.[65]

Current Mission Organization Location Number of personnel (2026)
NATO Enhanced Forward Presence – Battle Group Poland NATO Poland 161
NATO Enhanced Forward Presence – Battle Group Lithuania NATO Lithuania 195
NATO Enhanced Forward Presence – Battle Group Hungary NATO Hungary 205
NATO in Kosovo - KFOR NATO Kosovo 520
Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 NATO Mediterranean Sea 13
Operation Sea Guardian NATO Mediterranean Sea 66
European Union Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta European Union Somalia 4
European Union Naval Force Mediterranean – Operation Irini European Union Mediterranean Sea 5
United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan – UNMOGIP United Nations India and Pakistan 20
United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara – MINURSO United Nations Western Sahara 12
Operation Inherent Resolve U.S. Armed Forces Kuwait 3
Former Mission Organization Location
NATO mission in Iraq NATO Iraq
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon - UNIFIL United Nations Lebanon
European Union mission in Chad – EUFOR Tchad/RCA European Union Chad
European Union Naval Force Mediterranean – Operation Sophia European Union Mediterranean Sea
International Security Assistance Force – ISAF NATO Afghanistan
Operation Active Endeavour NATO Mediterranean Sea
Operation Triton European Union Mediterranean Sea
Resolute Support Mission – RS NATO Afghanistan
United Nations Disengagement Observer Force – UNDOF United Nations Golan Heights - Syria and Israel
United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea – UNMEE United Nations Ethiopia and Eritrea
United Nations Mission in Liberia – UNMIL United Nations Liberia
United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone – UNAMSIL United Nations Sierra Leone
United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor – UNMISET United Nations East Timor
United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia – UNOMIG United Nations Georgia
United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire – UNOCI United Nations Ivory Coast
United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus – UNFICYP United Nations Cyprus
United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti – MINUSTAH United Nations Haiti

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Thomas, Mark (21 January 2025). "Croatia's Military Modernization: Navigating Regional Challenges and Global Realities". The Dubrovnik Times. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Tesija, Vuk (2 December 2024). "Croatia's Defence Sector Spending Spree Raises Questions About Military Strategy". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 Tanner, Marcus (2010). Croatia: A Nation Forged in War (3rd ed.). Yale University Library: Yale University Press.
  4. ↑ "IN MEMORIAM Anton Tus, retired staff general, the first Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Army and the first Head of the Mission of the Republic of Croatia to NATO". template.gov.hr. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "Prvi put nakon rata otkriveni originalni računi za oružje". arhiva.nacional.hr.
  6. ↑ "Vojna tehnika i oprema HV-a". vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr.
  7. ↑ "Prva pobjeda u obrani od velikosrpske agresije – šibenska bitka u rujnu 1991. godine". vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr.
  8. ↑ "Presidential Decree". Archived from the original on 21 February 2015.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "CROATIA COMPLETING STRATEGY OF LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF ITS ARMED FORCES". template.gov.hr. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
  10. ↑ "Change of doctrine of the Croatian Armed Forces". Archived from the original on 16 May 2008.
  11. ↑ "Abolishment of Conscription". Archived from the original on 4 January 2009.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Tesija, Vuk (4 June 2025). "Croatia Unveils Bill Restoring Mandatory Military Service". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  13. ↑ "Western Balkans peace threatened by new military alliances? – DW – 04/11/2025". dw.com. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Radman, Grlić (15 May 2025). "NATO foreign ministers discuss defence spending, security threats". vlada.gov.hr. Retrieved 14 June 2025. Minister Grlić Radman confirmed that in 2025 Croatia reached the targeted defence spending of 2% of GDP, noting that the Croatian government is continuously modernising the armed forces and that Zagreb will continue to create conditions for better equipment and readiness of the Croatian Armed Forces.
  15. ↑ Tesija, Vuk (4 June 2025). "Croatia Unveils Bill Restoring Mandatory Military Service". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  16. ↑ "Croatia reintroduces mandatory military conscription after 17 years". Al Jazeera. 24 October 2025. Retrieved 25 October 2025.
  17. ↑ Brey, Thomas (11 April 2025). "Western Balkans peace threatened by new military alliances?". dw.com. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  18. ↑ Thomas, Mark. "Croatia's President Warns of Escalation in Iran Crisis, Orders Troop Withdrawal - The Dubrovnik Times". www.thedubrovniktimes.com. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  19. ↑ Lian, Xiao (10 April 2025). "Trends in World Military Expenditure, 2024". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  20. ↑ "Pročešljali smo novi državni proračun: Vojska, policija, političari, umirovljenici i učitelji trljaju ruke, medicinari najveći gubitnici".
  21. ↑ "Koliko iznose mirovine hrvatskih branitelja?". 18 November 2022.
  22. ↑ "Croatia wants to reach 3% of GDP allocated to defense by 2030". vlada.gov.hr. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  23. ↑ Thomas, Mark. "Croatia and Slovenia Support NATO Defence Spending Hike, Eye Closer Cooperation on Border and Energy Projects - The Dubrovnik Times". www.thedubrovniktimes.com. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  24. ↑ "Proracun 2025: ulaganja u opremanje i modernizaciju vojske" (PDF).
  25. ↑ "Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2023)" (PDF).
  26. ↑ "Defence Expenditure of NATO Countries (2014-2024)" (PDF).
  27. ↑ "International Monetary Fund Croatia economic outlook".
  28. ↑ "DUGOROČNI PLAN RAZVOJA ORUŽANIH SNAGA REPUBLIKE HRVATSKE ZA RAZDOBLJE OD 2015. DO 2024" (PDF).
  29. ↑ Petrović, Valentino (1 December 2024). "Croatia external relations briefing: Defense Spending in Croatia and New Investments". China-CEE Institute. 79 (4). ISSN 2939-5933. The Croatian Armed Forces and its modernization of the military, to be conducted through the implementation of ongoing projects to equip the military with advanced technologies, such as multi-role combat aircraft, infantry fighting vehicles, and multi-role helicopters.
  30. ↑ Djokic, Katarina (1 January 2025). "Subregional Arms Control and Conflict Prevention in the Western Balkans". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  31. ↑ Bellamy, Christopher (19 June 1996). "Naval blockade lifts in Adriatic". The Independent. Archived from the original on 20 January 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  32. ↑ Jack Sweetman (2002). American naval history: an illustrated chronology of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-present. Naval Institute Press. p. 292. ISBN 1-55750-867-4. Retrieved 7 June 2010. operation sharp guard.
  33. ↑ "Mistrali stižu za godinu dana, MICA-e 2026". www.vecernji.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  34. ↑ "[VIDEO/FOTO]Nova protuzračna obrana koju nabavljavamo od Francuske mogla bi nas koštati pola milijarde eura". tportal.hr. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  35. ↑ "Croatia to buy Leopard tanks from Germany in swap for Ukraine". Reuters. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
  36. ↑ Guinilachi, Juliana (31 January 2025). "Croatian Army Receives First Four Bradley Vehicles Acquired From US". The Defense Post. Retrieved 31 January 2025.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Barišić, Marko (22 May 2025). "Croatia's secret drone history revealed: Leading the world back in 1993?". Hrvatski Vjesnik. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  38. ↑ Saballa, Joe (20 February 2023). "Estonian-Croatian Firm Tests New Combat Vehicle Awareness System". The Defense Post. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  39. ↑ Anušić, Ivan (20 May 2025). "Croatia could lead in EU small combat drone production, says defence minister". vlada.gov.hr. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  40. ↑ Bernhard, Bjoern (28 October 2024). "Rheinmetall, Croatia's DOK-ING eye joint venture for unmanned military vehicles". Reuters. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  41. ↑ Singh, Inder (19 November 2024). "Croatia to Procure Six Bayraktar TB2 Drones for $95 Million". The Defense Post. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  42. ↑ Vlada Republike Hrvatske (May 2025). "Godišnje izvješće o obrani za 2024. godinu" (PDF) (in Croatian). Hrvatski sabor. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  43. ↑ "Croatia to reintroduce compulsory military draft as regional tensions soar". Associated Press News. 16 August 2024.
  44. ↑ "USTAV RH".
  45. ↑ "Zakon o obrani". narodne-novine.nn.hr.
  46. ↑ "Strateski pregled obrane" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 February 2008.
  47. ↑ "MVEP • Upozorenja". Mvep.hr. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  48. ↑ "Croatia | United States European Command". Eucom.mil. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 Krešimir Žabec (28 October 2013). "Tajanstveni peti kat ambasade SAD-a u Buzinu". Jutarnji.hr. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  50. ↑ Pukanic, Ivo (24 May 2005). "United States' Role in [Operation] Storm". The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS). Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  51. ↑ Engelberg, Stephen (13 August 1995). "CONFLICT IN THE BALKANS: U.S. POLICY; U.S. Took a Calculated Risk In Not Curbing Croat Attack". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
  52. ↑ Drazen (17 January 2025). "Anušić at handover of the Bradley vehicle: Owing to excellent cooperation with the USA, the Croatian Armed Forces are a modern, capable and strong armed force". MORH. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  53. ↑ "United States Air Force F-16s from Italy support NATO's collective defence in Croatia". ac.nato.int. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  54. ↑ "Croatian Diaspora in the United States of America". Republic of Croatia State Office for Croats Abroad. 2013. Archived from the original on 6 February 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2016.
  55. ↑ "Što je Hrvatska do danas zaradila od SAD?". Obris.org. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  56. ↑ "EOD Training Facility Construction at Lora Naval Base Breaks Ground". U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S. Sixth Fleet. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  57. ↑ Thomas, Mark. "U.S. Aircraft Carrier Arrives in Split, Highlighting Alliance — and Stirring Debate". The Dubrovnik Times. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  58. ↑ "EOD Training Facility Construction at Lora Naval Base Breaks Ground". U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S. Sixth Fleet. Archived from the original on 26 April 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  59. ↑ Marzouk, Ivan Angelovski, Jelena Cosic, Lawrence (3 October 2017). "Croatian Island Airport Becomes Pentagon Hub". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  60. ↑ Windish, Katherine (26 July 2011). "Airmen train Croatian officers, build partnership". United States Marines. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  61. ↑ Rasnake, Javan (29 October 2024). "U.S.-Croatia Bilateral Defense Consultations". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 30 April 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 62.2 62.3 "International deployments for the year 2023" (PDF).
  63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 63.2 63.3 63.4 "International deployment for the year 2022" (PDF).
  64. ↑ "NATO Secretary General commends Croatia's contributions to NATO and support for Ukraine". North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 12 January 2026. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  65. ↑ 65.0 65.1 65.2 "Contemporary Croatia". www.croatia.eu. 1 January 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2026. Since 1999, Croatia participated with 6,000 troops in around twenty UN, NATO and EU peacekeeping operations and missions throughout the world.

Template:Croatia topics Template:Military of Croatia Template:Military of Europe Template:Militaries of European Union member states Template:North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Template:NATO Military Academies

Retrieved from "https://wiki.tachyony.co.uk/w/index.php?title=Armed_Forces_of_Croatia&oldid=56136"