300 pripadnika Hrvatske vojske i partnerskih oružanih snaga pokazalo profesionalizam na vježbi "ŠTIT 25" | Foto: MORH/ T. Brandt
Over 300 Croatian and partner troops demonstrate professionalism during exercise “ŠTIT 25”
International air defence exercise “ŠTIT 25” conducted at Cape Kamenjak
The final demonstration of the multinational air defence exercise ŠTIT 25 took place on 11 April 2025 at the 119th CAF Brigade training area, located at Cape Kamenjak near Pula.
This year’s exercise, held from 1 to 11 April 2025, involved 322 personnel from the Croatian Armed Forces and partner nations, operating short- and medium-range air defence missile and artillery systems.
The objective of the exercise was to strengthen interoperability with partner forces through the training of tactics, techniques, and procedures for air surveillance, target identification, and live-fire engagements against low- and medium-altitude aerial threats, using man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) and anti-aircraft artillery.
The lead unit for the exercise was the Air Defence Regiment of the Croatian Army, commanded by Colonel Željko Nakić, who also served as the Exercise Director.
Alongside Croatian Armed Forces, the exercise included troops from the Slovenian Armed Forces’ 15th Aviation and Air Defence Brigade and the United States Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade. The event was observed by representatives of the 4th Regiment of the French Armed Forces and the 106th Regiment of the Royal Artillery of the United Kingdom.
Speaking at the conclusion of the exercise, Major General Blaž Beretin, Croatian Army Commander, expressed his satisfaction with its successful execution: “Over the past several days, we have witnessed outstanding professionalism across all participating forces. The exchange of experience has significantly enhanced our interoperability. I would also highlight the performance of the MISTRAL 3 system, which was first introduced in last year’s exercise and has already considerably improved our ability to counter airborne threats.”
Live-fire demonstrations against low-flying targets
The live-fire phase showcased engagements by Croatian and Slovenian air defence units targeting low-altitude aerial targets. The sequence began with the 173rd Airborne Brigade engaging drones using the SMASH 3000 Smart Shooter system mounted on M4A1 rifles. This was followed by the Croatian Armed Forces, who employed the MISTRAL MANPADS, a 107 mm ATI launcher, and 20 mm anti-aircraft guns to engage remote-controlled aerial targets. The Slovenian 15th Aviation and Air Defence Brigade concluded the firing sequence by engaging radio-controlled aircraft using the MANGART 25 air defence system. Throughout the live-fire exercises, Croatian and Slovenian troops conducted continuous radar surveillance over the training range to support accurate detection and engagement.
Corporal Ivan Marjanović, team leader during the MISTRAL engagement and a member of the Air Defence Battery within the Guards Armoured Mechanised Brigade, described the exercise as a success: “This training is important for sharing knowledge on tactics and weapons systems. Each year we build on previous experience, and the international aspect of the exercise greatly contributes to that development.”
Major Dušan Tabula, Fire Control Officer from the Air Defence Regiment, added: “Today’s objective was to integrate all elements of airspace surveillance and assess the readiness of our missile and artillery batteries.”
ŠTIT – the longest-running military exercise of the Croatian Armed Forces
Exercise ŠTIT has been conducted continuously for the past 30 years, making it the longest-standing military exercise in the Croatian Armed Forces. In its early years, it was held twice annually; this year marked its 38th edition. Since 2014, with the participation of the Slovenian Armed Forces, ŠTIT has gained international status, and in 2015 it was officially included in NATO’s catalogue of multinational military exercises.
The final day of the exercise was attended by Croatian Army Commander Major General Blaž Beretin, as well as military representatives from France, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Also in attendance were members of the Croatian Army, representatives of the Istria County Police Department, local government officials, and other invited guests.
