Anušić at handover of the Bradley vehicle | Photo MOD / G. Resovac

Anušić at handover of the Bradley vehicle: Owing to excellent cooperation with the USA, the Croatian Armed Forces are a modern, capable and strong armed force

A ceremonial handover of the first Bradley infantry vehicles to the Croatian Army was held in the barracks “132nd brigade of the Croatian army” in Našice

Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić participated today, on 14 January 2025, in the barracks of the “132nd brigade of the Croatian army” in Našice at the ceremonial handover of Bradley M2A2 ODS fighting vehicles. The Croatian Armed Forces have taken into operational use the first four of a total of 89 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, which are subject of a donation from the United States Government.

On this occasion, Defence Minister Anušić emphasized that this year the Republic of Croatia has reached the amount of two percent of GDP allocation for defence, which is the obligation we assumed as a member of NATO. The Minister pointed out that the Government of the Republic of Croatia will continue to create better conditions for members of the Croatian Armed Forces and the system as a whole.

The cooperation between the CAF and the Government of the Republic of Croatia with the US Embassy is essential for realization of the procurement of Bradley vehicles, Black Hawk helicopters and the HIMARS missile system

“We will continue to equip and modernize the Croatian Army and raise the standard of members of the Armed Forces, create better conditions for individuals and for the Armed Forces as a whole,” the Minister emphasized. He particularly expressed his gratitude to the US Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia, Nathalie Rayes, for everything she has done and achieved in the past period, in cooperation with Government of the Republic of Croatia.

“The excellent cooperation between the Armed Forces and Government of the Republic of Croatia with the US Embassy and their Department of Defense has led to realization of the procurement of Bradley infantry vehicles, Black Hawk helicopters and the HIMARS missile system, which made the Croatian Armed Forces what they should be – a modern, capable and strong armed force of a member of the NATO alliance”, the Minister of Defence concluded.

“With all these purchases, Croatia has reached two percent of the GDP allocation for defence. Of those two percent, the obligation is a minimum of 20 percent investment in modernization of the Armed Forces, and Croatia has reached 29 percent,” Minister Anušić explained and added: “It is crucial that we continue to cooperate with NATO and our allies. We are facing large procurements for the Croatian Armed Forces so that in the near future we can reach, I hope, three percent of the GDP for equipping and modernizing the Croatian Armed Forces,” Minister Anušić said.

The arrival of Bradley vehicles in the Croatian Armed Forces strengthens the collective power of Croatia as a member of NATO

“The arrival of Bradley vehicles in the Croatian Armed Forces not only strengthens their defence capabilities, but also the collective power of Croatia as a member of NATO,” the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Croatia, Nathalie Rayes said.
“This moment is a strong symbol of the growing friendship and cooperation between the Croatian and American people,” she added.

At the end, she said that last year we witnessed a great progress in cooperation in the field of defence because Croatia acquired Black Hawk helicopters, the Himars artillery-missile system, and now Bradley fighting vehicles, which marks a new period in strategic alliance.

“I encourage Croatia’s efforts to reach obligations of the NATO alliance to allocate two percent of the GDP for defence. This is a key achievement that ranks Croatia as a reliable member of NATO alliance, and we need to continue to build cooperation and friendship, so that together we are stronger, safer and more prepared to face challenges of the future”, the US Ambassador Rayes said.

About Bradley M2A2 ODS infantry vehicles

The Bradley M2A2 ODS infantry vehicles are subject of a donation by the United States Government, with which an Agreement was signed at the end of January 2022. The financial value of the Agreement amounts to USD 196.4 million without VAT, of which USD 51.2 million is a donation from the USA, and USD 145.2 million is paid by the Ministry of Defence in the period from the year 2022 to 2027.

Out of 89 donated vehicles, 62 vehicles were contracted to be put into operational condition (refurbishment), which is carried out by the Đuro Đaković Specijalna vozila d.d. (ĐĐSV) Company in Slavonski Brod. A total of 44 vehicles were delivered to the ĐĐSV (special vehicles) Company, eight of which were brought into operational condition in the year 2024, and which were handed over to the Sokolovi (Falcons) 1st Armoured Mechanized Battalion of the Croatian Army Guards Armoured Mechanized Brigade during January of this year. The first four vehicles have been delivered, and the remaining four will be delivered by the end of January. With these eight vehicles, the training of mechanics and permanent crew members of the Bradley M2A2 ODS infantry fighting vehicle will be conducted.

Four of eight vehicles are used at Kindrovo factory training ground for the training of mechanics (FLMNET – Field Level Maintenance New Equipment Training). The first cycle of training – 12 mechanics – was conducted from 30 October to 20 December 2024, and the second cycle began on 7 January and will last until 5 March 2025. The training is conducted by certified instructors from the BAE Systems Company and a total of 48 mechanics will be trained in four cycles.

The remaining four vehicles are used for implementation of the first cycle of training for permanent vehicle crew members (OPNET – Operator New Equipment Training), which will be conducted from 14 January to 12 March 2025. The training will begin with the taking-over of vehicles at the barracks “132nd brigade of the Croatian army” in Našice, and the training is conducted by certified instructors from the BAE Systems Company.

Deliveries of the remaining Bradley M2A2 infantry fighting vehicles to the Sokolovi (Falcons) battalion will be carried out gradually during the year 2025 and 2026, and the goal is for all vehicles to be completed and brought to operationally proper condition by the end of the year 2026.

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