Minister Anušić in the US: Strengthening cooperation with all our allies; discussing Black Hawks, HIMARS, and Bradleys.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić is currently on a working visit to the United States. Yesterday, on 12 September 2026, at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, he participated in the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of cooperation between the Croatian Armed Forces and the Minnesota National Guard. This partnership represents one of the most tangible and enduring forms of defence cooperation between the Republic of Croatia and the USA. Minister Anušić is visiting the US at the invitation of the Minnesota National Guard and the manufacturer of the Black Hawk helicopters, as Croatia expects the delivery of eight Black Hawk helicopters in 2028.

“The cooperation between the Croatian Armed Forces and the Minnesota National Guard is manifested in very concrete areas, primarily regarding the procurement of Black Hawk helicopters and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. These military assets are also used by the Minnesota National Guard, so our personnel undergo training there as well. In terms of the overall US arms procurement, this also includes the HIMARS missile system. As part of the US visit, we will go to Alabama to visit the Yulista Aviation Center of Excellence, where the final outfitting of our eight Black Hawks is taking place; their delivery to the Croatian Armed Forces is expected in 2028,” Minister Anušić said.

In the context of geopolitical relations in Europe and the world, Minister Anušić noted that Croatia is strengthening and reinforcing cooperation with all its allies. “That is the reason for this visit to the US—to strengthen our cooperation. We are simultaneously bolstering our defence industry and our defence system through intensive equipping and modernization of the Croatian Armed Forces. During the visit to the US, we will certainly discuss the HIMARS missile system, which is set to arrive in Croatia in 2028, as well as the 150-plus-kilometer range of the HIMARS missiles. We have already initiated discussions regarding the delivery of missiles with that range and will continue them during this visit. In addition to the 300-plus-kilometer range missiles of the Chunmoo system, we are also counting on the 150-plus-kilometer range missiles for the HIMARS,” the Minister of Defence stated.

As part of the anniversary of the cooperation between the Croatian Armed Forces and the Minnesota National Guard, the new “Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum” opened yesterday in the immediate vicinity of the Camp Ripley. For the section of the museum dedicated to international partnerships, Minister Anušić donated a US-made World War II-era helmet that had been used by a Croatian soldier during the Homeland War.

“This helmet surely saved someone’s life during World War II; it then came into the hands of one of our soldier during the Homeland War—at a time when we had almost no equipment or weaponry—and has now returned home to the USA. Through its story, the helmet symbolizes our Croatian-American cooperation,” Minister Anušić said.

Minister Anušić and Major General Shawn Manke, Commander of the Minnesota National Guard, highlighted that their cooperation is excellent and mutually beneficial, and that it will continue in the same direction in the future.

During his visit to Minnesota, Minister Anušić will meet with the Croatian community today, on 13 September, at the Croatian Hall in St. Paul, and on Tuesday, 15 September, he will visit the Yulista Aviation Center of Excellence in Alabama.