French ship “Orion” visits Croatian Navy

During the visit, there will be a joint mine divers training of the Croatian and French Navy.On the occasion of visit of the “Orion” ship and July 14, the French national holiday, there will be a ceremony during which five officers of the Croatian Armed Forces who attended the French military high schools or have contributed to development of French-Croatian bilateral military cooperation, will be awarded with the French Medal – Medal of National Security. Croatian officers who will receive the Medal of National Security are a member of the Honorary protection battalion, Major Mario Grgic, a member of the Croatian Navy Major Jurica Vukusic, a member of RACVIAC Major Vice Olujic, officer of the MOD Reception and Support Directorate Major Ante Jukic and a member of the Croatian Navy Captain Ante Vukovic.
Medal of National Security was introduced in 1982, at the suggestion of the then Defence Minister Charles Hernu. It is awarded to military personnel for their contribution during operations or during activities in favour of citizens, as well as to foreign military and civilian persons who have contributed to the defence of France.
French minesweeper “Orion”, of the Eridan class (Tripartite) was developed jointly with the navies of Belgium and the Netherlands. The specified class minesweeper is designed to detect and destroy sea mines along with the main task of ensuring free access to French ports, and monitoring of free navigation in the French territorial sea. The boat is 51 meter long, under the command of Lieutenant Commander Louis Tillier and has about 47 crew members.