Opening speech
MINISTER OF DEFENSE
Dear exhibitors, visitors, and distinguished guests,
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the 8th edition of the Adriatic Sea Defense and Aerospace Exhibition and Conference – ASDA 2025. This year, ASDA is held in Zagreb, under the auspices of the Croatian Government and with the support of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Croatia.
ASDA 2025 gathers a large number of renowned domestic and global exhibitors, as well as government members, military and defense officials, and experts, thus reaffirming its international reputation.
I am grateful to our long-time partner and organizer, TNT Productions LLC, which recognized the potential and excellence of the Croatian military defense industry and has been organizing the ASDA exhibition in Croatia since 2011.
The world has reached a historical turning point in terms of security. Today, Europe must change its security and defense paradigm. The time when it delegated its security to others has come to an end. European forces, European responsibility and significantly greater, faster and continuous investments in the defense capabilities of the armed forces of all European countries must be a priority.
For too long, Europe has placed security and defense in a position of low priority in terms of relevance. The prevailing view, as was the case in Croatia, which went through the devastating Homeland War 30 years ago, was that peace and security are things that happen on their own and that no money should be spent on them. This is completely wrong.
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 2022 and Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 should have been a wake-up call for us. A wake-up call from the false notion that peace and security are taken for granted.
Since 2016, Croatia has been investing a lot in its Armed Forces. We have continuously increased our defense budget, and this year we have reached two percent of GDP for defense spending and almost 30 percent for modernization and equipping. Along with the procurement of foreignmade weapons, we are strengthening and investing in the domestic military industry. However, our primary concern is for our soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers, and we are systematically improving their standard of living.
ASDA, as an outstanding exhibition in the field of the defense industry, plays a key role as it provides a platform for numerous meetings and dialogues among representatives of the security and defense sectors from various countries.
The Ministry of Defense is a key partner in the development of the Croatian defense industry, which is a global brand, and the quality of its products and services is well known to the Croatian Armed Forces, our allies and partners. The synergy between the Croatian Armed Forces and Croatian scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs in creating new advanced defense products is a crucial path toward establishing a competitive defense industry.
I am confident that the ASDA 2025 exhibition will serve as an excellent platform for presenting the latest technologies and innovations. As a place for dialogue, it will bring together leading experts and innovators, continuing to promote Croatian and international defense companies with the aim of fostering technological progress, strengthening global security and creating new opportunities for business cooperation in the defense industry.
Sincerely,
Ivan Anušić
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Republic of Croatia
CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF OF THE CROATIAN ARMED FORCE
Distinguished exhibitors and visitors, dear friends,
It is my great honour and pleasure to welcome you once again to Croatia for the eighth edition of the Adriatic Sea Defense & Aerospace Exhibition and Conference – ASDA 2025. Since its inception in 2011, ASDA has become a key event on the international defense exhibition calendar, attracting an increasing number of exhibitors and visitors from both Croatia and abroad.
We are living in a time of major security challenges. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, now in its fourth year, has profoundly changed the way Europe—and Croatia—perceives its own security and defense.
This time I would like to focus on there are three key messages.
First, the era of enjoying the peace dividend is over. For decades, Europe built its security with strong support from the United States. However, as we observe the evolving course of U.S. security policy toward Europe, it is clear that we must take greater responsibility for our own defense. Strengthening national and collective defense capabilities has become imperative, a reality already acknowledged by our political leadership. We are entering a period of rebuilding our defense capacities, where modernization and re-equipment will play a crucial role, backed by significant financial investments.
Second, the war in Ukraine has demonstrated how new technologies are changing the character of modern warfare. This is not the kind of war that Croatian Armed Forces won in 1995, nor are we preparing for such a conflict today. The Croatian Armed Forces must be ready for high-intensity warfare, relying on cutting-edge technology, unmanned systems, advanced cyber defense, and the ability to swiftly adapt to new tactics. Our maneuver units, along with their combat support and combat service support capabilities, must be equipped with the most advanced military technology to ensure effective deterrence and defense.
Third, we must continue supporting Ukraine, while strengthening our stockpiles, and ensuring that our Armed Forces remain ready for all scenarios.
Thus, the defense industry is expected not only to produce more advanced and modernized systems but also to increase production capacities to ensure sufficient stocks of weapons and equipment.
The Croatian defense industry has a key role in these efforts. For many years, Croatian companies have provided reliable, high-quality, and purpose-built equipment for our armed forces. Some of these products are the result of collaboration between the Ministry of Defense, the Croatian Armed Forces, and the domestic defense industry, while others are based on the long-standing production expertise of Croatian companies. ASDA serves as a platform for connecting manufacturers, defense institutions, and end-users — our armed forces — facilitating collaboration and the development of new solutions.
I am confident that in the coming days, Zagreb will be a hub for innovative technological solutions, strategic discussions, and the creation of strong partnerships that will contribute to strengthening resilience against the challenges of the modern era.
On behalf of the Croatian Armed Forces and in my own name, I would like to thank the exhibition organizers, exhibitors, and partners who have contributed to the success of the eighth edition of ASDA.
Thank you!
Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid
Chief of General Staff of the Croatian Armed Force
AUTHORIZED TO PERFORM THE DUTIES OF DIRECTOR OF THE ARMAMENT DIRECTORATE
Dear exhibitors and visitors,
On behalf of the ASDA 2025 Organizing Board, I wish you a warm welcome to the eighth Adriatic Sea Defence and Aerospace Exhibition and Conference.
It is an honour and a pleasure to have you as our guests in Zagreb, a city rich in history and with a lot of cultural heritage, and that the Arena Zagreb was chosen as a new location and has provided an ideal venue for presenting the potential and capacity of the broad assembly of domestic and foreign armament and military equipment manufacturers and suppliers for defence needs.
I would like to emphasize the fact that the ASDA Exhibition has grown and become a significant and recognizable defence exhibition far beyond the Southeast Europe borders. This year, more than 200 exhibitors will be able to present the latest trends, techniques and technological achievements in the field of defence, as well as discuss possible future cooperation or collaborative projects.
We are witnessing major changes in the global security landscape that require rapid adaptation to achieve our own goals and protect national interests, but we should also keep in mind that challenging times also create new opportunities.
The development of advanced weapons systems, technologies and equipment, the trend of increasing defense spending, and numerous initiatives and joint procurement processes within the EU and NATO are new opportunities to increase the capacity and competitiveness of the Croatian defense industry.
In the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, we have understood since the first days of Croatian independence how important the Croatian defense industry is, not only for equipping the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, but also for the entire Croatian economy. That is why we are particularly pleased with the fact that today the defense industry of the Republic of Croatia stands out with several recognizable names on the world stage of weapons and military equipment manufacturers, and attracts the attention and interest of numerous buyers.
Therefore, I must express my satisfaction with the positive response of Croatian defence industry exhibitors at ASDA 2025. We hope that this ASDA Exhibition will also help leading domestic companies in networking, creating relationships and new business opportunities.
It is my sincere belief that the participation of all exhibitors at ASDA will be beneficial not only for the development of partnership, but also for defence and security cooperation, thereby contributing to the strengthening of peace and security.
As the Head of the Organizing Board, I would like to especially thank the organizers of this event – the TNT Productions LCC company as well as every individual for the effort they invested in order to ensure the success of the eighth Adriatic Sea Defence and Aerospace Exhibition. With a strong belief that the exhibition will be successful, I warmly greet you, and sincerely wish all the guests and participants a great success and pleasant time in the wonderful city of Zagreb.
Sincerely,
Ivica Grebenar
authorized to perform the duties of
Director of the MOD’s Armament Directorate