Combat Power 25: Croatian Armed Forces Demonstrated Operational Capabilities of the New Systems for the First Time

The largest joint military exercise of the Croatian Armed Forces in the past seven years was the central live-fire demonstration of the Exercise Combat Power 25, which took place on 17 September 2025, at Eugen Kvaternik training area near Slunj.

The exercise demonstrated capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces, which have been developed through modernisation, training and integration of new combat equipment. A number of these systems were initially displayed to the general public within combat activities. The exercise demonstrated the Armed Forces’ high degree of preparedness, operational effectiveness, and capability to protect Croatia’s territorial integrity by using live weapons against actual targets.

First Demonstration of the Operational Use of Rafale Aircraft and FPV Drones

Rafale multi-role fighter aircraft were used against ground targets for the first time. The exercise also demonstrated the capabilities of Bayraktar unmanned aerial systems, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters equipped with Hydra rockets and FPV drones. Additionally, Patria armoured combat vehicles armed with 30 mm guns, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled howitzers, tanks and other powerful combat systems participated in the exercise.

In a speech to Croatian army members, Zoran Milanović, President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stated: “I would like to congratulate members of the Croatian Armed Forces on an exemplary and perfectly executed exercise. It appeared flawless. The Croatian Armed Forces would not exist without people, and the contemporary Croatian state would not exist without the Croatian Armed Forces”.

Minister Anušić: Modernisation and Equipping of the Armed Forces Will Continue

On this occasion, Minister Anušić expressed his contentment with advanced skills displayed and congratulated members of the Croatian Armed Forces on successful completion of the exercise:

“What we witnessed in Slunj today is really impressive. We had the opportunity to observe Rafale aircraft and FPV drones being used in combat for the first time. I congratulate members of the Croatian Armed Forces — these young men and women have once again demonstrated that they are highly trained and motivated to carry out all assigned tasks.”

Minister Anušić also emphasized that the Government of the Republic of Croatia intends to keep allocating substantial funds for defence, saying: “I want to emphasize that our Armed Forces will continue to be equipped and modernised. The Armed Forces need to be strengthened and equipped, and this Government has the political will to do so. Our objective remains to supply high-quality equipment, incorporate cutting-edge Western technology, update infrastructure, and, most importantly, keep improving the substantive rights of members of the Croatian Armed Forces”.

General Kundid: The greatest value of this exercise is the demonstration of top-level capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces

Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, expressing his satisfaction with effective execution of the exercise Combat Power 25 and stressed: “I congratulate all participants in the exercise, it was really great. The objective of this exercise was to evaluate the Armed Forces’ combat readiness and their capacity to carry out their primary duty, which is to defend our Homeland”.

Additionally, he emphasized that the greatest value of the exercise is in display of the Armed Forces’ capabilitis, their skills, level of training, equipment and preparedness.

The exercise is conducted from 12 to 19 September 2025 in both land and air domains at Slunj training area and Žirje naval training facility. A thorough military preparation and training process culminated in today’s display on 17 September. It attests the Croatian Armed Forces’ capability to carry out joint operations in land, air, sea and cyber domains.

An excellent level of training, interoperability and preparedness of the Croatian Armed Forces was once again affirmed by the Exercise Combat Power 25, proving that investment in modernisation and development of new capabilities form the cornerstone of strong deterrence and security of the Republic of Croatia.

President of the Republic of Croatia and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Zoran Milanović, Prime Minister’s Envoy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, who spoke to members of the Croatian Armed Forces, as well as Tomo Medved, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian War Veterans, Envoy of the Croatian Parliament’s Speaker, Member of Parliament Ante Deur and many other high-ranking officials attended the final demonstration of the exercise.