Minister Anušić Signs Counter-UAS Systems Framework Agreement with Končar
“The signing of this Agreement represents direct support for the Croatian defence industry, Croatian companies and Croatian expertise”, Minister Anušić stated
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia Ivan Anušić and the President of the Management Board of Končar Digital d.o.o., Gordan Kolak, signed a Framework Agreement on the procurement of counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) on Thursday, 18 December 2025, at the Ministry of Defence.
The five-year Framework Agreement between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and Končar Digital d.o.o. initiates a multi-phase development project aimed at equipping the Croatian Armed Forces with counter-UAS systems in response to growing security threats and the increasingly intensive use of unmanned aerial systems in modern military operations. The total value of the Agreement amounts to €125 million excluding VAT, with system delivery scheduled for 2027.
The project envisages the procurement of four counter-UAS systems: two stationary systems intended for the protection of critical military infrastructure, and two mobile systems, integrated on vehicles, to meet the operational requirements of the medium infantry brigade.
Minister Anušić expressed satisfaction with the signing of this important Agreement, stating: “Domestic companies, domestic expertise and domestic personnel are involved in the development of this major project, which unquestionably represents the future of security and modern warfare.”
The Minister noted that the project includes four major counter-UAS protection systems to be developed by Croatian companies: “The system is proven, tested, and of high quality, and our critical military infrastructure will soon be protected by it. This is a new generation of protection systems that we are introducing to safeguard critical infrastructure.”
Minister Anušić further explained that, in addition to the project leaders – the Croatian company Končar Digital d.o.o. and the Polish company Advanced Protection Systems (APS) – other Croatian companies, including Orqa, will also participate in the implementation of the project.
On this occasion, the Minister emphasised that unmanned aerial systems and counter-UAS capabilities are currently at the forefront of the Croatian defence industry, as they represent a critical requirement in modern warfare.
“Alongside the Netherlands and Latvia, Croatia is among the leading European countries in the production and distribution of FPV drones,” Minister Anušić underlined.
A Major Opportunity for the Croatian Defence Industry
The President of the Management Board of Končar Končar Digital d.o.o, Gordan Kolak, expressed his satisfaction with the signing of the Agreement, describing it as a key step in the development of a new, technologically advanced counter-UAS system that represents a Croatian product and a domestically developed solution.
“This project demonstrates that Končar Digital d.o.o is continuously developing its capabilities and building the future through the application of new technologies,” Kolak said.
He also thanked the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia for its consistent support to Croatian companies, emphasising the importance of implementing such projects in Croatia in order to establish operational references and enable further engagement in international markets.
Under the Agreement, Končar Digital d.o.o. will act as the system integrator and manufacturer of selected components for the Polish company Advanced Protection Systems (APS). Consequently, a portion of the production of the SKYctrl system will be transferred to the Republic of Croatia, enabling the transfer of knowledge, strengthening domestic professional and technological capacities, and ensuring long-term sustainment, maintenance and support for the system.
Equipping the Croatian Armed Forces with Counter-UAS Systems – A Strategic Step Forward in the Development of National Defence Capabilities
Equipping the Croatian Armed Forces with counter-UAS systems represents a strategic step forward in the development of national defence capabilities and in the strengthening of the domestic defence-industrial and technological base. Such an approach enables stronger support for national companies and research and development capacities, while contributing to the long-term security of the Republic of Croatia.
The procurement of counter-UAS systems forms part of the ongoing modernisation of the Croatian Armed Forces and their adaptation to emerging security challenges in the regional and global environment.
