Combat Power 26 Cultimates in Demonstration of Peak Combat Readiness at Slunj

Members of the Croatian Armed Forces, together with Allied and partner forces, today demonstrated their capability to conduct joint combat operations during the final demonstration of the international joint military exercise Combat Power 26 at the “Eugen Kvaternik” military training area near Slunj.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić said that the successful conclusion of Exercise Combat Power 26 showcased the full spectrum of Croatian Armed Forces capabilities – from Croatian Navy operations in the waters surrounding the island of Žirje to today’s demonstration of Croatian Air Force, Croatian Army and unmanned systems capabilities at the “Eugen Kvaternik” military training area.

Among the key innovations introduced during this year’s exercise, Minister Anušić highlighted the first operational employment of the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system employing MAM-L laser-guided munitions.

“The Croatian Armed Forces are growing stronger, better equipped and better trained every day. We will continue on this path, while the Government of the Republic of Croatia will continue implementing its planned development and modernisation objectives to ensure that the Croatian Armed Forces achieve the capability levels required to fulfil Croatia’s commitments within NATO, including those confirmed at the Hague Summit,” Minister Anušić said.

The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Kosovo, Ejup Maqedonci, also stressed the importance of further developing the capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces. He assessed that the exercise demonstrates the high level of development of the Croatian Armed Forces, particularly highlighting the integration of fire support as one of the most complex elements of modern military operations.

He emphasised that Croatia’s investment in the development of its Armed Forces contributes to peace, stability and security in the region and noted that Croatia and Kosovo continue to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defence, interoperability and the defence industry.

Speaking about the conduct of the exercise under demanding conditions, Commander of the Guards Armoured-Mechanised Brigade Brigadier General Željko Marinov said that its primary objective had been to enhance interoperability and develop and validate capabilities in cooperation with Allied forces.

“We fully achieved the objectives we had set, primarily the integration of manoeuvre forces, air and artillery support, and all other exercise components involving every branch of the Croatian Armed Forces. These demanding conditions represented our greatest challenge, but the motivation, commitment and adaptability of our personnel to the demands of the battlefield were evident throughout the successful execution of the exercise,” Brigadier General Marinov said.

Joint Offensive Operation at Slunj

The final demonstration featured a segment of a joint offensive operation involving, alongside the Croatian Armed Forces, the armed forces of Slovenia, Montenegro, Italy, Albania, Portugal, Kosovo and the United States, including personnel of the Minnesota National Guard, with whom Croatia is marking 30 years of successful bilateral defence cooperation this year.

At the same time, Exercise Combat Power 26 also incorporated activities conducted as part of the multinational military exercise Immediate Response, together with Romania, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and Georgia, further demonstrating the ability of Allied and partner forces to operate effectively together.

The offensive operation demonstrated during the exercise reflectedthe realities of the modern battlefield, where success depends on the integration of intelligence, reconnaissance, precision fires, manoeuvre, aviation, unmanned systems, and effective command and control across multiple domains.

Throughout the tactical demonstration, all activities were synchronised within a single operational framework.

Bayraktar Employs Laser-Guided Munitions for the First Time

The Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system engaged a designated target employing MAM-L laser-guided munitions.

The capability to destroy targets at long ranges using MAM-L laser-guided munitions represents a new capability of the Croatian Armed Forces and marks another step in the integration of unmanned platforms across all service branches.

Rafale Aircraft Strike Ground Targets

Croatian Air Forces Rafale fighter aircraft conducted attack sorties against designated ground targets, employing their integrated 30 mm cannon to conduct precision strikes.

OH-58D Kiowa Warrior armed reconnaissance helicopters engaged targets using 70 mm Hydra rockets and 12.7 mm machine guns.

Special operations forces were inserted by UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter using the fast-rope technique.

FPV Drones Conduct Kinetic Attacks

FPV drones also demonstrated their capabilities to rapidly detect, identify and engage targets through kinetic attacks.

Special Operations Forces, Black Hawk, and Kiowa

During the extraction of special operations forces using the SPIES (Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction System) technique from a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters provided continuous suppressive fire, securing the air corridorfor the extraction of reconnaissance elements.

The integration of reconnaissance, target acquisition, and precision fires makes the Kiowa Warrior a highly effective platform for supporting special operations and reconnaissance missions.

The Slovenian Armed Forces also demonstrated anti-armour operations employing the Spike missile system.

Patria and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles conducted a fire support mission, demonstrating precise fire while on the move.

The Minnesota National Guard, operating Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, together with Croatian mechanised infantry equipped with Patria armoured vehicles, also demonstrated their combined operational capabilities.

American Hercules and Croatian Rafales

After ground forces had successfully secured the objective and completed their mission, a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft from the Minnesota National Guard conducted a coordinated air resupply mission in support of ground forces.

Throughout the mission, the C-130 Hercules was provided with fighter escort by a pair of Croatian Air Force Rafale multirole fighter aircraft.

The final demonstration at the Slunj military training area was attended by the President of the Republic of Croatia and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Zoran Milanović; the Prime Minister’s Envoy, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić; the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Kosovo, Ejup Maqedonci; the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament’s Envoy, Member of Parliament Stipan Šašlin; representatives of the Parliamentary Defence Committee; the Ambassador of the United States to Croatia, Nicole McGraw; representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces; the military diplomatic corps; and numerous other distingushed guests.