Prime Minister visits the Barracks “Pukovnik Marko Živković”

The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister observed the operational procedures of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence within NATO integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS) and a displayed exercise of the control and protection of the Croatian air space within the system.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the visit and the displayed procedure.    “This is a standard procedure performed reliably by the Croatian Armed Forces in co-ordination with the respective NATO command, proving its credibility as an Ally protecting its air space“. The Prime Ministerr also expressed satisfaction over heading a government which increased the defence budget.
Regarding the decision on retaining the combat component of the Croatian Air Force and Air Defence, both the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister said the issue was scrutinised by the military experts. “The decision will be made by the respective Commission and the experts, and will be reviewed by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, alongside the recomandations“, said the Finance Minister. 
Minister Krstičević appreciated the Prime Minister’s visit to the Croatian Air Force Fighter Aircraft Squadron “which is ready to complete any assigned tasks, including the demanding mission of the protection of the national air space, which affects the security of the country and of its future in 30 and 40 years Once lost, this capability is hard to restore..and we must find a modality to retain it. We are thus showing the responsibility towards the future generations as well“.
The building of the new compound housing the quick reaction alert fighters has been funded by the Zagreb Airport, in return for ca 54 hectares of land from  the Barracks”Pukovnik Marko Živković” at Pleso granted for the purpose of the construction of a passenger terminal of a new international airport named after the first Croatian President.
The works on the new compound comprised the construction of the accomodation facility for pilots and air technicians with a total of 1,048 m2, a hangar for three aircraft with 1,946 m2, the operating surface with ca 15,000 m2 and protective embankments and fences between the Air Base Pleso and the new international airport and the landscaping. In addition to the compound a new infrastructure has been constructed, an apron anda connecting road towards the Aeronautical Technical Centre, a helidrome, an explosive testing area and the test firing range.