Croatian Navy confirms operational readiness through successful military exercises

From 24 to 27 March 2025, the Croatian Navy units conducted their annual military exercises “PRSTAC 25”, “BARAKUDA 25”, “BRANCIN 25” and “ZRCALO 25” in the central Adriatic region. The exercises were held at the Žirje naval training area, the Zvizdulja military training area, and the Zečevo military site.

These routine training activities are designed to enhance operational capabilities in carrying out core missions and tasks, improve operational planning process, and evaluate the progress in achieving Capability Objectives.

The Croatian Coast Guard and the Navy Fleet conducted live-fire tactical military exercises “PRSTAC 25” and “BARAKUDA 25”, while the Split Naval Base and the Coastal Surveillance Battalion carried out exercises “BRANCIN 25” and “ZRCALO 25”.

“PRSTAC 25” – Coast Guard maritime operations training

During the “PRSTAC 25” exercise, the Croatian Coast Guard conducted training on planning and executing tactical-level maritime operations, with an emphasis on preparing and carrying out specific tasks at sea. The participating units included the coastal patrol vessels OOB-31 “Omiš” and OOB-32 “Umag”, patrol boats OB ŠB-72 “Andrija Mohorovičić”, OB SB-73 “Faust Vrančić” and OB-02 “Šolta”, along with four rigid-hulled inflatable boats “Modrulj”.

At sea, the procedures for tactical manoeuvring, following both national and allied procedures, were tested, along with force protection during navigation and in base areas. Other exercises included search and rescue operations, boarding and inspecting suspicious vessels, underway replenishment, towing damaged vessels, and conducting signalling drills both at anchor and underway. Live-fire drills on surface targets were carried out during both day and night, in addition to small arms fire from the vessels. The exercise was led by Croatian Coast Guard Commander Rear Admiral (LH) Milan Blažević, with Captain (N) Zoran Medvidović, the Coast Guard Deputy Commander, acting as the Exercise Director.

Rear Admiral (LH) Blažević expressed his satisfaction with the results and the professionalism of all Croatian Coast Guard members, noting that this year’s exercise was conducted under more challenging weather conditions than usual. He emphasized that the exercise confirmed the readiness of all Coast Guard units to carry out their legally defined tasks. The crew of the new coastal patrol vessel OOB-32 “Umag” also took part in all activities, confirming their training and ability to operate all onboard systems independently under any conditions at sea.

“BARAKUDA 25” – covering anti-surface, anti-air, anti-mine, and amphibious warfare, as well as search and rescue operations

In exercise “BARAKUDA 25”, the Croatian Navy Fleet was engaged in the planning and execution of various maritime operations, including anti-surface, anti-air, mine and anti-mine warfare, maritime interception, joint manoeuvring of surface forces, search and rescue, signalling drills, and force protection.

Participating units included missile boats RTOP-11 “Kralj Petar Krešimir IV”, RTOP-41 “Vukovar”, and RTOP-42 “Dubrovnik”; landing ships DBM-81 “Cetina” and DBM-82 “Krka”; landing assault boats DJB-104 and DJB-107; motorized dinghy MRB-83; missile battery; and the Naval Infantry Company members. As part of the exercise scenario, live-fire drills were carried out using shipborne artillery on surface targets, along with small arms fire from vessels. Mine protection for the landing area was provided, while the Naval Infantry Company conducted offensive operations.

The Naval Infantry Company, supported by the Croatian Air Force, executed a maritime and aerial assault on the island of Žirje. During the exercise, the missile boats RTOP-11, RTOP-41, and RTOP-42 also conducted supervisory and technical fire drills. The exercise was led by Captain (N) Antun Flegar, the Croatian Navy Fleet Commander, with Commander Srđan Bilić serving as the Exercise Director.

Captain (N) Flegar emphasized the exercise’s importance as the unit’s most crucial training event and a key step in achieving its Capability Objectives: “Even under challenging weather conditions, we completed all planned activities and proved our readiness to carry out tasks both at sea and on land. The dedication and motivation of our unit members played a major role in the success of the exercise, and I’m especially proud of that. This exercise is just the beginning of the training activities ahead.”

“BRANCIN 25” – providing comprehensive logistic support to Croatian Navy units

Exercise “BRANCIN 25”, conducted by the Split Naval Base, was aimed to train command elements and subordinate units in executing the core task of providing comprehensive logistic support to Croatian Navy units, both at permanent installations and forward-deployed locations. The exercise included naval technical, transport, supply, medical, and maintenance support during the planning and execution of annual training activities. The exercise was led by Captain (N) Vlade Zoko, the Split Naval Base Commander, with Colonel Goran Marunica serving as the Exercise Director.

“ZRCALO 25” – training to provide continuous surveillance, communications, information, and cyber support

The Coastal Surveillance Battalion conducted the tactical exercise “ZRCALO 25” in the central Adriatic region, operating from the Zečevo military site and coastal surveillance stations extending from Savudrija to Molunat. The exercise assessed the unit’s readiness to provide continuous surveillance, communications, information, and cyber support to the Croatian Navy units during combat operations. As part of the exercise, a tactical operations centre was established at the Zečevo military site, providing a recognized maritime operational picture and a full spectrum of communication and information services. Support was also provided to the Department of Communication and Information Systems and Cyber Operations of the Dr. Franjo Tuđman Croatian Defence Academy during field training of the 24th class of Basic Officer Course participants.

The exercise was led by Colonel Ivica Suman, the Coastal Surveillance Battalion Commander, with Commander Bernard Juričev, the Battalion’s Deputy Commander serving as the Exercise Director. Colonel Suman expressed his satisfaction with the high level of motivation demonstrated by the unit members, which directly contributed to the successful fulfilment of the exercise’s objectives.

During the exercise at the Zečevo military site, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Croatian Navy, Captain (N) Željko Jakus, paid a visit to the Croatian Navy members.

As in previous years, the Croatian Air Force provided support for the exercise activities and the security of the Žirje naval training area. The area’s security was jointly provided by the Croatian Coast Guard and the Croatian Navy Fleet, with additional support from vessels of the Ministry of the Interior and the Šibenik Port Authority.