Minister Anušić in Lithuania: Everyone can learn from Croatian soldiers, given our recent war experience

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić, after meeting Croatian troops deployed to Poland, also met with members of the 6th Croatian contingent assigned to NATO’s Forward Land Forces (FLF), stationed at the Training Regiment Barracks in Lithuania.
The Croatian contingent in Rukla, Lithuania, consists of 91 soldiers and nine women soldiers. The Commander of the 6th Croatian Contingent is Lieutenant Colonel Marijan Žukina.

Minister Anušić highlighted that the expertise and professionalism of Croatian personnel within the NATO battlegroup in Rukla are highly valued and respected, as in all missions in which they participate.

“The German commander of this battlegroup commended our soldiers for their knowledge, capabilities and equipment contributed to the mission. Our soldiers, both in Lithuania and in Poland, are consistent, highly professional, and serve to the honour of our country, the Croatian people, and their families,” Minister Anušić said.

Journalists asked the Minister whether other nations, including the framework nation Germany in this battlegroup, could learn anything from the Croats. “How could they not? Everyone here can learn from the Croats. In this Croatian contingent, ten members are veterans of the Croatian Homeland War. Their combat experience is invaluable, as we are the only nation in this battlegroup with recent war experience. Croatia was forged in war, and this is a distinctive characteristic of the Croatian Armed Forces, both within NATO and the European Union, and generally worldwide,” the Minister of Defence said.

Lieutenant Colonel Marijan Žukina presented the Croatian contingent, outlined its daily tasks, and noted the highly favourable, young age structure of its personnel.

The Croatian contingent in Lithuania is equipped with six artillery systems, ie. howitzers. Of the six newly delivered Tatra trucks procured as part of the Ministry of Defence’s wider modernisation programme (420 vehicles in total), two are currently deployed with the contingent in Lithuania.

During his visit, Minister Anušić also held a bilateral meeting with the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence, Robertas Kaunas. “Croatian personnel will remain within the NATO battlegroup in Lithuania until the end of this year. Decisions on any future deployment will be taken in due course, in coordination with the framework nation and the host nation. Croatia and Lithuania share a common interest in the security and stability of the NATO’s eastern flank, as well as South-East Europe. Our positions are aligned in condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and in supporting the Ukrainian people,” Minister Anušić stated following the meeting.

Lithuania, like Croatia, is also participating in the joint procurement of German Leopard 2 A8 main battle tanks, representing another area of cooperation.

Alongside members of the Croatian Armed Forces, the NATO battlegroup led by Germany includes personnel from the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Luxembourg and Norway.

The tasks of the battlegroup in Lithuania focus on enhancing combat readiness and interoperability through training and exercises, as well as continuous development of the operational and defence planning.