Government Adopts Decision Granting Authority to Sign SAFE Loan Agreement
Cabinet Adopts Decision Authorising the Signing of the SAFE Loan Agreement and Approves the 2025 Firefighting Season Report
At its 169th session on Thursday, 14 May 2026, the Government of the Republic of Croatia adopted the Decision granting authority to sign the Loan Agreement under the “Security Action for Europe” – SAFE instrument.
During the session, the Cabinet also adopted a Conclusion approving the Report on the Implementation of the Activity Programme for Special Fire Protection Measures of Interest to the Republic of Croatia in 2025.
Decision Granting Authority to Sign the SAFE Loan Agreement
The SAFE instrument provides member states with loans for prioritised, significant, and urgent defence investments through joint procurement.
In accordance with the Government Conclusion, the Republic of Croatia submitted its National Defence Investment Plan to the European Commission for project financing through the SAFE financial instrument. Joint procurement under this framework will fund the acquisition of Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks valued at 1.14 billion euros, Caesar 155 mm self-propelled howitzers worth 301.6 million euros, and Tatra 6×6 and 8×8 heavy-duty trucks at 211.7 million euros. Additionally, the plan covers two further joint procurement projects for ammunition and ordnance with a total value of approximately 46 million euros.
In this context, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić emphasised the importance of these acquisitions for equipping and modernising the Croatian Armed Forces: “The Government and the Ministry of Defence are firmly committed to further enhancing and modernising the capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces. This is a direct investment in the security of our citizens and a vital contribution to NATO capability targets.”
The 2025 Firefighting Season Report
Regarding the Report on the Implementation of the Activity Programme for Special Fire Protection Measures of Interest to the Republic of Croatia in 2025, the Croatian Firefighting Association submitted 196 requests for engagement of the Croatian Armed Forces last year. This included 195 requests for air assets and one request for the Croatian Navy, representing a 19% decrease compared to 2024.
Minister Anušić reported that firefighting air assets were deployed to extinguish 95 fires, which is a 4.45% increase compared to 2024. Furthermore, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) team was deployed 19 times for aerial reconnaissance of fire sites.
Last year, the Croatian Armed Forces also provided international assistance through transitional rescEU capacities. Consequently, firefighting aircraft were deployed seven times to combat forest fires abroad.
“All fire protection tasks were executed in full accordance with the relevant decisions and the operational plan, in close cooperation with the Croatian Firefighting Association and other competent state bodies”, Minister Anušić stated.
In conclusion, Minister Anušić highlighted that the Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces are currently undertaking all necessary activities to fully prepare for the upcoming firefighting season.