Minister Anušić: Investments in defence are investments in security. Croatia’ defence spending to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2027

Today, on 11 March 2025, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić and Chief of the CAF General Staff LTG Tihomir Kundid participated at the Annual Briefing of the Defence Diplomatic Corps held at the Ministry of Defence.

Minister Anušić emphasized the importance of continued cooperation with Defence Attachés and thanked them for their contribution.

In the context of the current security situation and global security challenges, the Minister commented the significantly damaged European security architecture caused by the war in Ukraine.

“The Republic of Croatia has continuously helped Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian aggression and will continue to help it,” he said.

The Minister also commented the Southeast Europe. He stressed that due to possible instabilities, the presence of the international community in the region is extremely important, especially when it comes to NATO peace support operation KFOR and the EU operation ALTHEA.

“Croatia welcomes the ReARM Europe Plan and it is important to emphasize that investments in defence should not be perceived as an expenditure, but as investments in security. What I see as a possible problem when it comes to the new plan of arming Europe are long-lasting procedures that need to be simplified,” he emphasized. Minister Anušić reiterated that this year Croatia has reached two percent of GDP in defence spending and almost 30 percent for modernization and equipping.

“In 2027, we will reach two and a half percent of the GDP in defence spending. If the new goal of a probable three percent defence spending is adopted, Croatia will also achieve it in the upcoming years,” he said.

Minister Anušić also informed the Defence Attachés about the on-going projects for equipping and modernizing the Croatian Armed Forces. He emphasized: “The serious modernization of the Croatian Army began with procurement of 12 Rafale multi-role combat airplanes. We are also purchasing the HIMARS system, the state-of-the-art Leopard 2 A8 tanks and the Bayraktar system, all with the aim of strengthening capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces.”

The Minister also announced the holding of a military parade, as well as the Adriatic Sea Defence and Aerospace Exhibition and Conference ASDA 2025, which will be held in April this year in Zagreb.

The Chief of the General Staff said that the CAF are focused on modernization and development of the Croatian Army capabilities.

“It is crucial to invest in defence capabilities and continue the cooperation of our armed forces in the future,” General Kundid told the Defence Attachés.

On behalf of the Defence Diplomatic Corps, its Doyen, Colonel Jure Johann Bauer, addressed the audience on this occasion. He said that this was another opportunity to develop and strengthen cooperation between the Ministry of Defence, i.e. the Croatian Armed Forces, and the Defence Diplomatic Corps.