Potpredsjednik Vlade i ministar obrane Damir Krstičević i izvršni direktor Europske obrambene agencije Jorge Domecq u ponedjeljak, 2. rujna 2019. održali su izlaganja na radionici za predstavnike hrvatske obrambene industrije i znanstveno-istraživačke zajednice u Hrvatskoj gospodarskoj komori.
Minister Krstičević and EDA Chief Executive visit Croatian Chamber of Economy
Croatian soldiers are fully equipped with equipment and weapons made in Croatia and promote the Croatian defence industry worldwide
The Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević and the Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency Jorge Domecq on 2 September 2019 delivered lectures at the workshop held in the Croatian Chamber of Economy and intended for the representatives of the Croatian defence industry and of the research community .
Appreciating the EDA Chief Executive’s visit to Croatia ahead of its presidency of the EU, Minister Krstičević emphasised that the Croatian defence industry would be among the priorities of the Croatian presidency.
“I welcome the workshop organised on the occasion of Your visit, organised to familiarise the Croatian firms with the EU funds management and the respective methodology to make as many future projects eligible for the EU funds“, said the Minister.
The Minister reminded that Croatia was actively participating in six PESCO projects – Military Mobilty , Deployable Military Disaster Relief, logistic support to Operations, upgrade of Maritime Surveillance, CRRTs and Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security and CBRN surveillance – and praised the possiblity of conversion of the latest PESCO project into a Cat B project.
The current Government recognised the long-lasting connection between the Croatian Armed Forces and the industry, which was incorporated into the National Security Strategy, and organised a number of conferences dedicated to the industry. The Minister announced a conference to be held in November, which will discuss the future of the Croatian defence industry and new technologies, and another one in 2020 – the year of the Croatian presidency of the EU – with the partners from the EU.
“The Croatian defence industry may be small but supplies high-quality products, and I am glad that You had the opportunity to see some of them in the MoD exhibition space. The Croatian defence industry has made its place in the international market with its specialised top-quality products such as pistol and assault rifle, the demining and other machines, composite combat helmets, uniforms made of top quality and technologically advanced fabrics and other products“, said Minister Krstičević, and announced an invitation to be addressed to potential partners to build a modern ammunition factory to meet the national needs and the needs of the EU and world market.
“Croatian soldiers are fully equipped with equipment and weapons made in Croatia and promote the Croatian defence industry worldwide“, concluded the Minister.
The importance of participation of Croatian entrepreneurs in the EU and EDA programmes and projects
Minister Krstičević addressed the security situation in Europe and the rest of the world and emphasised that it has changed dramatically over the past years. The new challenges demand sophisticated defence systems based on smart, specialised products for special purposes rather than mass production.
The EU funds offer funding of projects of major interest for defence industries and for the security and defence systems of the member states, as evident from the project “Cyber Conflict Simulator“, developed by the Croatian firm Utilis and worth ca 4.5 mil HRK”, podsjetio je ministar.
Minister Krstičević underlined the Šestan-Busch project: “Another positive example is the Šestan-Busch project “Multifunctional protective helmet“ with the focus on the civilian market of protective garments, and some of the know-how and expertise is applicable in the development of anti-ballistic helmets. The project is worth 8.5 mil HRK, and has received EU grant scheme funds worth over 5 mil HRK.
Domecq: Great future for the Croatian defence industry
Appreciating the Minister for the invitation, the Chief Executive of EDA Jorge Domecq also expressed belief in great future for the Croatian defence industry.
“I have noticed notice significant progress since my last visit to Croatia five years ago, including the perceived need for the involvement of the Croatian defence industry in the making of the European defence policy. The Croatian firms product quality is improving visibly. The end goal is to expand and promote defence co-operation among the European countries“, said Chief Executive Domecq.
“We have for our part presented the European Defence Initiative, and the Croatian Government has launched the invitation to the domestic firms to take part in our activitites. In 2017 the EU member states reached the pre-recession 2007 figures of investment into defence industry; it takes wise investing and building the connections between the government and the manufacturers. It is the only way to integrate the defence industry into the European Defence Action Plan“.
The President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce Luka Burilović in his presentation said that the Croatian defence industry was a world-recognised brand and expressed conviction that the Croatian firms would again demonstrate their quality and professionalism.
The Director of the Agency “Alan“ Ivica Nekić also delivered a presentation.
The workshops were attended by the State Secretary for Defence Zdravko Jakop, by assistant ministers Petar Mihatov and Roman Mikulić.
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