Ministar Anušić s francuskim ministrom obrane Lecornuom na Paris Air Show 2025. | Foto: MORH/ F. Klen
French Defence Minister Lecornu and Minister Anušić at the 2025 Paris Air Show
The contract for purchasing 18 Caesar howitzers will be finalised when Lecornu visits Croatia in September
Ivan Anušić, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence, met with Sébastien Lecornu, the Minister of the Armed Forces of the French Republic, today in Paris as part of his visit to the Paris Air Show 2025, an international event that showcases aerospace, defence, and space technologies.
In a highly productive meeting, Ministers Anušić and Lecornu reaffirmed Croatia’s excellent defence cooperation with France, which has been intensified since the acquisition of Rafale multirole combat aircraft.
A repeat visit by French Minister Lecornu to Croatia is scheduled for the autumn, and Minister Anušić will present him to Croatian defence businesses during his stay. According to the comprehensive approach principle (a complete package of logistical support and training), the contract for the purchase of 18 Caesar howitzers for the Croatian Armed Forces is also anticipated to be finalised in the autumn. The French Republic is the procurement leader for these weapons.
Minister Anušić explained to his French counterpart Croatia’s goal of becoming a leader in the manufacture and acquisition of small drones as part of the ReArm Europe Plan and bolstering its own defence industries.
As part of the Rafale multirole combat aircraft acquisition project, he thanked Minister Lecornu for France’s assistance in modernising the Croatian Armed Forces, particularly the transfer of invaluable experience and knowledge.
“We should have a clear contract for the purchase of Caesar howitzers for the Croatian Armed Forces by the time French Minister Lecornu visits Croatia in September. This will allow us to continue the intensive modernisation and equipping of our military. We also discussed small combat drones, for which Croatia would be the leading nation in manufacture and joint procurement. I gave a presentation on the capabilities and prospects of Croatian companies in this field. Additionally, Minister Lecornu will inspect the drones’ manufacturing facilities when he visits Croatia.”
The ministers also discussed the further modernization of the Rafale multirole combat aircraft.
Minister Anušić: “The process of strengthening the armed forces on European soil”
Additionally, the ministers talked on the necessity of increasing defence expenditure, which will be resolved at next week’s NATO summit in The Hague. Minister Anušić underlined in this regard: “Now is a good time for Europe since the process of strengthening the military forces and weaponry on European territory is starting. However, our priorities need to alter. Croatia understands the importance of higher defence spending, and this year we are spending 2% of GDP on defence. By 2027, we want to raise that to 2.5% of GDP, or 3% by 2030,” Minister Anušić said.
