Minister Anušić with members of the Croatian Armed Forces in Knin and Udbina
“We need to be so strong that when people think of the Croatian Armed Forces, their first thought has to be, ‘It’s not worth starting a conflict with them.̓ That’s how I see our armed forces,” Minister Anušić said
On Wednesday, 24 February 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić met with members of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia at the Josip Jović Barracks in Udbina and the Josip Markić military training area in Knin.
At the Knin military training area, members of the Croatian Armed Forces are getting ready for NATO peace support operation in the Republic of Kosovo.
In addition to visiting the military training area and shooting range where members of the 1st Motorised Battalion Vukovi were practicing their shooting skills, the Minister also met with members of the 3rd Mechanised Battalion Pauci.
During an exchange between CAF members and the Minister of Defence, he acknowledged his commitment to advancing their substantive rights and status.
“I am aware that you are preparing for your deployment to Kosovo to participate in NATO’s KFOR mission. I visited you for this reason, but I also wanted to find out how I might support you and improve your working conditions. Since the first day of my mandate, I have stated that my objective is to improve the substantive rights of the soldiers; we have made progress in this area thus far and will keep going forward.” Minister Anušić also reminded the CAF members of their importance and role in maintaining peace and security by saying, “We see the armed forces as something that we have to keep like a little water in the palm of our hands.”
The Minister of Defence continued, “The role of the soldier is becoming more and more important, but it consists in deterrence, not in warfare.” He recalled that all active duty military personnel had their salaries increased by the Government of the Republic of Croatia on the proposal of the Ministry of Defence.
He also declared that he would carry on improving living conditions of CAF members and promoting the military profession.
“We need to be so strong that when people think of the Croatian Armed Forces, their first thought has to be, ̔It’s not worth starting a conflict with them.̓ That’s how I see our armed forces,” the minister said.
Speaking about the experiences and knowledge that the CAF gained during the Homeland War, Minister Anušić said: “In 1991, our forces faced up against the third or fourth military force at the time, and we were able to defeat them in 1995. Even though we were dealing with a considerably greater force, we were nevertheless able to overcome it. Remember this while wearing your uniforms or your civilian clothes: nobody is more trusted by the Croatian people than the Croatian Armed Forces. At the end of his meeting with CAF members in Knin, Minister Anušić said, “I wish you luck and may the dear God protect you.”
Minister Anušić paid a visit to the Marko Babić Leadership Development Centre and the essential training facilities located at the Udbina Barracks. He informed the CAF members undergoing commando selection training that those who successfully complete it will become the spearheads of the Croatian Armed Forces.
