Anušić: My priority has been to acquire a coastal patrol vessel; the first one will be delivered by the end of this year | Foto: MORH/ F. Klen
Anušić: My priority has been to acquire a coastal patrol vessel; the first one will be delivered by the end of this year
“One of my priorities has been to end the agony over the construction of coastal patrol vessels. This was achieved in the last few months of my term,” Minister Anušić said
On 10 April 2024 Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, Chief of the CAF General Staff Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid and their associates visited the Brodosplit company in Split and the Croatian Navy Command located at the Fleet Admiral Sveto Letica-Barba Barracks.
In the Brodosplit company, Minister Anušić and General Kundid had a meeting with Chairman of the Board Tomislav Debeljak, who informed the delegation of the Croatian MOD and the CAF about the current status of the construction project to build the first of a total of four coastal patrol vessels, the completion of which is planned by the end of 2024.
After touring the vessel under construction, Minister Anušić said that 14 years had passed since the contract was signed, and coastal patrol vessels had not been delivered yet. The Ministry of Defence has finally managed to reach an agreement with Brodosplit.
“After touring the vessel, I can say that we are satisfied with the vessel’s construction dynamics so that the vessel will be ready to perform its tasks for the Croatian Navy,” the Minister said, recalling that the vessel’s construction was included in the Annex to the Contract signed with Chairman of the Board Tomislav Debeljak.
The Minister said that he expects the successful continuation of the construction project of the remaining four coastal patrol vessels for the requirements of the Croatian Coast Guard, that is, the Croatian Navy.
“One of my most important priorities has been to end the long-standing agony over the construction of coastal patrol vessels. This was achieved in the last few months of my term as a Defence Minister, and it was very important to me,” he concluded.
On 14 March 2024 Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, on behalf of the Croatian MOD, and Tomislav Debeljak, on behalf of the Brodosplit shipyard signed the contract on amendments to the contract for the construction of coastal patrol vessels, which stipulates the completion of construction and the new delivery deadline for the first of the four remaining vessels. The delivery deadline for the first vessel (NOV 541) is nine months from the date of signing the contract, i.e. by the end of 2024. The contracting parties agreed that the total value of the basic contract will not be changed by this amendment. The costs for the completion of the first vessel (NOV 541), including costs for related equipment, amount to EUR 5,675,614.59 including VAT.
Minister Anušić pays visit to the Croatian Navy
During his stay in Split, Minister Anušić, together with his associates from the Ministry of Defence and the CAF General Staff, held a meeting with the Croatian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Damir Dojkić at the Fleet Admiral Sveto Letica-Barba Barracks.
The meeting participants discussed the current projects and activities of the Croatian Navy, and in the context of the coastal patrol vessels construction project, Minister Anušić emphasized that equipping the Croatian Navy is in Croatia’s strategic interest.
“Croatia’s Government has initiated historic projects to modernize and equip the Croatian Armed Forces, including the completion of the project to construct coastal patrol vessels for the Croatian Navy,” the Minister said. Rear Admiral Dojkić thanked the Minister for his visit. He also thanked the Croatian MOD and the Government for their support in the implementation of the Croatian Navy modernization projects.
