
Anušić at Christmas reception: The trend of strengthening Croatian army will not stop | Foto: MORH/ J. Kopi
Anušić at Christmas reception: The trend of strengthening Croatian army will not stop
We will continue to strengthen Croatian Army, in which Croatian people have the most confidence and which provides security and stability to the Croatian people and the Croatian state, Minister Anušić said
On Wednesday, 18 December 2024, a traditional Christmas reception was held at the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia, hosted by the Vice-President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić.
The Christmas reception was also attended by the Chief of the CAF Staff, LTG Tihomir Kundid, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and the Croatian Army.
Minister Anušić wished everyone present a blessed Christmas and a happy new year 2025. On this occasion, he summarized the results of the work of the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Army in the past year and pointed out: “What we have done in the past year has proven a trend that will not stop, which is the strengthening of our Armed Forces: in modernization and equipment and in increased numbers.”
Speaking about the modernization of the Croatian Army, the Minister recalled the procurement of Rafale, Black Hawks, Bradley, Leopard, HIMARS, Bayraktar, as well as coastal patrol ships for the Croatian Navy. In this context, he said that in 2025, two percent of the GDP allocated to defence will be reached.
Minister Anušić also pointed out that the number of young people who come for voluntary military training today has increased and is increasing with each generation. “We are manning our Armed Forces with young people and becoming what we should be: a mighty and strong, equipped, strategically prepared and trained military force that protects the interests of the Republic of Croatia,” he said.
“We will continue to strengthen our victorious Croatian army, in which Croatian people have most confidence and trust the most. It provides security and stability to Croatian people and the Croatian state,” the Minister pointed out at the end.
The Chief of the CAF General Staff expressed his gratitude to everyone for their commitment and responsibility in the past period. He also reminded how trust and togetherness are the origin of every success: Thank you for everything we do in our daily work for our defence system. We are proud of our joint achievements this year, but also ready for the challenges that next year will bring us, which will be imbued with greater ambitions and many other activities aimed at strengthening and developing the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces.”
General Kundid also wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.
At the end of the Christmas reception, the Military Ordinary in the Republic of Croatia, Monsignor Jure Bogdan, gave God’s blessing to everyone present.