Ceremonaial send-off of the 4th HRVCON to the NATO activity in Hungary | Photo: MOD/ T. Brandt

Ceremonaial send-off of the 4th HRVCON to the NATO activity in Hungary

The contingent members are extremely motivated to prove themselves and perform in a global setting, said Lieutenant Colonel Tokić, the commander of the 4th HRVCON

In the presence of the contingent member’ families and friends, the 4th Croatian contingent (HRVCON) was ceremoniously sent off to participate in NATO’s enhanced vigilance activities (eVA) in Hungary on Monday, 12 February 2024, at the 1st Guards Brigade Tigrovi – Croatia Barracks in Zagreb.

For a maximum of seven months, 64 personnel of the Croatian Armed Forces have been deployed to Hungary as part of the 4th Croatian contingent. Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tokić is the contingent commander.

As the Deputy Prime Minister’s and Minister of Defence’s envoy, State Secretary Zdravko Jakop wished the 4th Croatian contingent members success in carrying out their duties responsibly in a global setting. He continued, saying, “I believe that beyond the borders of the homeland, just like your predecessors, you will show the world the excellence and professionalism of the Croatian Armed Forces.” The state secretary underlined that we must never take peace for granted and that we must always work to create skills that will safeguard and sustain it in light of the present security concerns. He also stated that the armed forces are at the core of the defence system, and that the Ministry of Defence is committed to providing material rights and improved living and working conditions for the CAF personnel. State Secretary concluded by advising the soldiers travelling to Hungary to “wear the Croatian flag proudly and always be loyal to the homeland.”
On this occasion, Lieutenant General Siniša Jurković, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, noted that the Croatian Armed Forces participate in this activity to demonstrate interoperability with the armed forces of other Alliance members and to directly contribute to the Alliance’s collective defence. Additionally, he said that by taking part in this activity, the Republic of Croatia demonstrates its commitment to the Alliance’s common goals and affirms its solidarity with its allies. “You have specific and difficult tasks ahead of you. I firmly believe that all of you, both collectively and individually, are prepared to carry out the duties assigned to you and achieve the set goals. I hope this activity provides you with new experiences and knowledge,” added General Jurković and expressed gratitude to their families for their support.

Lieutenant Colonel Antonio Tokić, the commander of the 4th Croatian contingent, expressed gratitude to all those who helped ensure that the contingent was properly trained, equipped, and prepared to complete all assigned duties and meet all expectations. He expressed appreciation to the friends and families of the contingent members for their support and understanding, noting that this support will make it easier for the members to remain in the mission. “The troops are highly motivated to prove themselves and work in an international environment,” said the commander.

Along with members of the forces of the Italian Republic, the Republic of Turkey, and Hungary, the framework nation, members of the 4th HRVCON take part in NATO activities in Hungary as part of the multinational Battle Group. The US military takes part in it as well, even though they are not officially a part of HUN eVA BG. The Croatian contingent participates in NATO’s enhanced vigilance activities based on the Decision of the Croatian Parliament. The first Croatian contingent was sent to the area of operations in July 2022.

As a reminder, the purpose of the battlegroups involved in NATO’s enhanced vigilance operations in Central and South-Eastern Europe – that is, in Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria – was to strengthen the defence, deterrence, and collective defence capacities of the allies. These battle groups were established based on the concept of multinational forces and the already existing battle groups that are part of NATO’s enhanced forward presence in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

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