Minister Anušić: Developing a More Robust, Self-Sufficient and Independent Defence Industry

On Monday, 15 December 2025 the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia hosted the Industry Day “Tech & Innovations of the Croatian Defence System” held at the Croatian Armed Forces’ Zvonimir Hall in Zagreb.

With an emphasis on showcasing small, technologically advanced companies, the event is a special venue dedicated to Croatian defence industry.

New Security Challenges Require the Use of Modern Technologies

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić emphasised that the event represents a unique opportunity to link the Croatian defence industry. “The objectives are to build a stronger, more resilient, self-sufficient and independent defence industry of the Republic of Croatia that can compete with both Western and Eastern technologies and attract other NATO members and nations worldwide. Modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces is receiving substantial fundingand we are investing significant resources in these initiatives and Croatian companies are also involved ” Minister Anušić said. Minister emphasized that the use of contemporary technologies in defence capabilities is also necessary due to new circumstances and security threats.

“We have mapped the capabilities of the Croatian technological community that are usable in security and defence, particularly in the segments of communications, space, unmanned systems and digitalization” Anušić emphasized.

Armed Forces With Access to Top Innovations and Technologies Are Highly Effective

Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, stated: “Innovations in defence industry directly affect the technical, operational and tactical capabilities of the armed forces. Armed forces that have access to top innovations and cutting-edge technology are highly effective. As we heard today, our companies truly have a great deal of potential to help bolster the combat power of our armed forces, as they possess excellent innovations and can manufacture all the systems that are essential and required by us”.

Ivan Jelušić, one of Orqa’s founders, pointed out: “Representatives from the Ministry of Defence, industry, institutions and educational components necessary for thorough stakeholder integration were all present at the event”. He was pleased that the Croatian system allows tiny start-ups in the early stages of their commercial development to form alliances with larger corporations.

According to Jelušić, “Nowadays, Croatia has a sufficient number of large companies that can serve as a platform for small companies, enabling lower-risk development, the advancement of their innovations and consequently much faster and more stable commercialisation”.

Presentation of Small, Technologically Innovative Companies

At the Industry Day, about 10 tiny, cutting-edge companies —including Amphinicy, Byte Lab, Delta Reality, Dronestar Projekti, Impel, Nucleus Aerospace, Planet IX, Probotica, and Protostar Labs—presented their solutions.

Filip Novoselnik, the founder of Protostar Labs, a company that develops sophisticated vision systems, cameras, advanced data processing systems and the use of artificial intelligence in defence and industrial applications, said: “Our solutions help people make decisions more quickly and independently. We are collaborating with the European Space Agency on a number of projects.“

Luka Nuić, 20, the youngest participant and director of the rocket start-up Nucleus Aerospace, said the company has specialized in rocket systems. “Joint development programmes are our main focus, and I am glad there is interest in this field. Although the space sector is our main emphasis, the defence sector can also benefit from the technology created there. Innovation is currently gaining significant momentum in Croatia. I think that an event like this is very important, and for us, it has opened doors for further development and direction”. Nuić emphasized.

Opportunities for Cooperation Between Large Companies and Small Innovative Enterprises

Ante Bakić from Dok-Ing expressed contentment with the Ministry of Defence’s initiative to include new companies in Croatian defence industry. “There is synergy between companies, ministries, state institutions and universities. The objectives transcend the level of individual companies, and we all need to work together. Dok-Ing, as an already established company on the market, will assist smaller, emerging companies in quickly reaching our level” according to Bakić.

According to Alojzije Šestan from Šestan-Busch his company is working on a smart helmet project and plans to involve other tiny companies in this creative endeavour.

The company’s outstanding, long-standing collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, which has also made it possible for it to enter foreign markets, was highlighted by Željko Pavlin from HS Produkt. “The war in Ukraine has demonstrated the necessity of creating new systems as well. We now have more opportunity to connect with smaller companies thanks to an event like this,” Pavlin stated.

In addition to representatives of the Croatian defence industry, the event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia Ivan Anušić, Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy Luka Burilović, Director General of the Croatian Employers’ Association Irena Weber and President of the Management Board of Alan Agency Goran Basarac.