Minister Anušić: Croatian Companies Are Active Partners in the Modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, Thales Group Vice President for Sales in Network Infrastructure Systems Christophe Laberty, and Denis Nikola Kulišić, Member of the Management Board and CEO of Odašiljači i veze, signed a contract today at the Ministry of Defence for the upgrade of the Croatian Air Force combat communications system.

The contract, worth EUR 33.2 million excluding VAT, will be implemented from 2026 to 2030 and represents another significant step forward in the modernisation of the Croatian Air Force.

Opening the Way for Croatian Companies

On that occasion, Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić said:

“By signing this Contract, we are launching the implementation of the upgrade of the Croatian Air Force combat communications system, further enhancing the secure communications and data transmission capabilities of our Rafale aircraft and establishing the communications capabilities required for their future upgrade from the F3-R to the F4 standard.”

The Minister particularly emphasised that, in all procurement, modernisation and equipping activities of the Croatian Armed Forces , efforts are made, wherever possible, to involve the Croatian defence industry and domestic companies.

“This project is a good example of such an approach. Odašiljači i veze has become a partner to Thales, and the transfer of technology and know-how is already under way. It is particularly important that, through this cooperation, Odašiljači i veze will acquire the technology and know-how that may be applied to other projects as well, including the provision of services on the international market.

“We are applying the same approach to other major projects aimed at equipping the Croatian Armed Forces. Tomorrow, we will sign a contract for the procurement of 18 South Korean K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, and the Croatian company Končar is also involved in that project. Končar will assume a role in maintaining the system and in other activities required for its normal operation upon its transfer to the Croatian Armed Forces.

“Our goal is for Croatian companies to be active partners in the production, maintenance, development and further application of the systems we procure. We always consider all procurement and equipping activities, as well as everything related to them, also in terms of industrial return. In other words, we seek to involve Croatian companies so that they can advance economically and technologically and be capable of keeping pace with equipping and modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces o,” the Minister said.

International Opportunity for the Croatian Company Odašiljači i veze

Denis Nikola Kulišić, Member of the Management Board and CEO of Odašiljači i veze, stressed that the project would also open opportunities for OiV beyond Croatia through the knowledge and technology it will acquire.

“I would like to thank the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia for the trust placed in us, as well as our partners at Thales for their cooperation on this strategically important project. The certification of Odašiljači i veze as a Thales partner alone took more than two years, confirming the level of requirements and trust necessary to participate in a project of this kind.

“At the same time, we are training our own experts to work with this technology, thereby building domestic knowledge and capabilities. The knowledge and technology we acquire will, in the long term, enable us, together with Thales, to offer our services and expertise to other countries that will introduce the Rafale aircraft.”

Christophe Laberty expressed his satisfaction with Thales’ participation in the project aimed at strengthening the defence capabilities of the Republic of Croatia, and particularly highlighted the cooperation with Odašiljači i veze as the Croatian partner.

“Thales is proud to contribute to strengthening the defence capabilities of the Republic of Croatia and grateful to the Croatian Armed Forces for the opportunity to deploy its proven and reliable high technology.”

What the Project Will Deliver

The signing of the Contract officially marked the start of the Ground-to-Air Networks (GAN) project, Thales’ solution for communications between ground systems and airborne platforms, integrating voice communications, tactical data links and cybersecurity.

The project will establish a national network of seven ground radio sites connected to an operations centre, ensuring reliable and resilient voice communications between operations centres and airborne platforms, as well as full interoperability with national and Allied forces.

Thales will act as the solution provider and technology partner in the project, while Odašiljači i veze will participate as the local partner and systems integrator. OiV will be responsible for coordination with the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Air Force, preparing radio coverage studies, site preparation, participating in system integration, conducting field testing, and providing user training and technical support throughout the system’s life cycle.

The participation of Odašiljači i veze continues the cooperation between the two companies following OiV’s attainment of the status of the key industrial partner of the Thales Group in Croatia.