Caring for soldiers as the centre of the defence system
A working meeting between representatives of the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković was held at the Croatian Government
On Wednesday, December 20, 2023 Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić participated in the working meeting held between Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and representatives of the Ministry of Defence and a delegation of the Croatian Armed Forces, led by Chief of the CAF General Staff Admiral Robert Hranj.
The meeting participants discussed further investments in equipping and modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces, including the continuation of increasing budget allocations for the armed force requirements. In addition, they emphasised the importance of past and future investments in improving the substantive rights of soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers, i.e. their living, working and training conditions.
The procurement of Bradley armoured vehicles and Rafale multi-purpose combat aircraft was regarded as strategic step forward and a confirmation of the continuous strengthening of all CAF components in order to be more ready to carry out their tasks.
It was pointed out that the next year’s defence budget amounts to over 1.17 billion euros, which is an increase of 644 million euros, or 122 percent, in comparison to 2016. Investment in equipping and modernisation the Croatian Armed Forces and their infrastructure increased by as much as 622 percent.
The meeting participants also discussed the development and adoption of a new Defence Strategy and a new Long-Term Development Plan of the Croatian Armed Forces, basic documents for improving the strategic framework for implementation of goals and priorities in the field of defence.
The Prime Minister announced that on MOD’s proposal, the Government will soon pass a decree with legal force to increase the age limit for honourable discharge of contract soldiers and sailors from military service by force of law from the current 45 years of age to 50. The meeting participants assessed that this will once again improve the rights and position of soldiers who are at the centre of the defence system.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian War Veterans Tomo Medved and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Davor Božinović were also present at the meeting.
