Minister Anušić to Members of the Croatian Armed Forces Departing for NATO’s KFOR Operation: Wear the Croatian Uniform with Pride, – You Are Members of the Victorious Croatian Armed Forces

At the “3rd Guards Brigade Kuna” Barracks in Đakovo, the 44th Croatian contingent (HRVCON) was formally deployed today, 16 November 2025 to the NATO-led peace support operation KFOR (Kosovo Force) in the Republic of Kosovo.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Ivan Anušić, wished the members of the 44th HRVCON a safe deployment and success in executing their mission.

Praising the reputation of the members of the Croatian Armed Forces serving in missions and operations worldwide, the minister said: “Your deployment, your service and your presence in this mission reflect our country and our people. Yesterday we markedthe Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Homeland War and the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja. The whole of Croatia was in Vukovar paying tribute to the defenders and veterans who laid the foundations of today’s Croatian Armed Forces. Thank you for wearing the Croatian uniform ‒ it is both a calling and an honour!”

Minister Anušić reminded that the Croatian Armed Forces are a unique victorious force, recognized and respected well beyond the borders of Croatia “There are not many victorious armed forces in the world, and the Croatian Armed Forces are one of them.. It is indeed a great honour to deploy abroad wearing Croatian insignia. The same insignia were worn by our defenders in 1990 at a time when Croatia was only beginning its struggle for freedom. By 1995 we had grown into an armed force that liberated our homeland – and we can be proud of that. Wear your uniform with pride and honour. Every foreign commander knows the Croatian Armed Forces and respect them. You are their representatives.”

Ivica Olujić, Defence Advisor to the President of the Republic as Envoy of the President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the President and Commander-in-Chief: “We are committed to building peace and to carrying out military tasks. This is in the interest of the Republic of Croatia. Through participation in peacekeeping missions and operations you further enhance your professional development and readiness for your fundamental duties carried out in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia.”

Brigadier General Željko Ljubas, Envoy of the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces and Commander of the Command and Operations Centre addressed the members of 44th HRVCON. He wished them success in their international environment.

“Through participation in peacekeeping operations, Croatia fulfils its international obligations to stabilise crisis areas, while also enhancing the interoperability of its Armed Forces. Since 20098, approximately 2,400 members of the Croatian Armed Forces have taken part in KFOR, including 140 women,” said Brigadier General Ljubas.

Colonel Ivan Stipić, Commander of the 44th HRVCON, said: “After completing all preparations and evaluations, we are ready to be deployed to the KFOR operation and to wear the insignia of the victorious Croatian Armed Forces in an international environment and to fulfil all assigned tasks.”

A motorised infantry company forms the HRVCON’s largest component. Most of its members come from the Armoured-Mechanised Brigade of the Croatian Armed Forces.

The HRVCON will be deployed to three locations. Its key components include a motorised infantry company, an aviation detachment, a headquarters staff element, advisory and development teams for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), a national support element, and a medical team.

The HRVCON carries out activities to achieve the overall objectives of the KFOR peace support operation. Its mission is tosupport Kosovo’s security institutions while ensuring the maintenance of a safe and stable environment in Kosovo.

The KFOR peace support operation is of particular importance to the Republic of Croatia due to its immediate neighbourhood and potential impact on the stability of the entire region. Croatia therefore remains committed to its continued participation in Kosovo until the conclusion of NATO’s KFOR operation.

Beside the families of contingent members, the deployment ceremony for the 44th HRVCON was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the Republic of Croatia Ivan Anušić, Defence Advisor to the President and Presidential Envoy Ivica Olujić, and Brigadier General Željko Ljubas as Envoy of the Chief of the General Staff.

Participation of the Croatian Armed Forces in International Missions and Operations

The Croatian Armed Forces currently participate in ten international operations, missions, and activities with a total number of 297 deployed members.