Parliamentary Defence Committee visits MoD

Minister Krstičević presented the activities of the Ministry of Defence in  the current year and welcomed the 9%  increase of the  defence budget and no classified public procurement procedure in 2017. The Minister also briefed the members of the Defence Committee with the drafting of the strategic documents – the National Security Strategy , the Homeland Security System Act and the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Defence for the period 2018 – 2020.

The Minister also praised the passing of the decisions on the participation of the Croatian Armed Forces in NATO’s eFP, in the Coalition forces operation in Kuwait (INHERENT RESOLVE) and in the EU’s Operation “EUNAVFOR MED SOPHIA” by the Croatian Parliament.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Mirko Šundov briefed the members of the Defence Committee on the situation in the Croatian Armed Forces, the participation of the members in international missions,operations and military exercises, the training activities and on the equipment and modernisation projects, namely the introduction of Kiowa Warrior helicopters and the PzH 2000 Howitzers. 

The Committee was also familiarised with the introduction of the multi-purpose fighter aircraft. The Minister underlined the project as the most complex and important equally for the Ministry of Defnece and for the  Republic of Croatia.

“We have weighed  all options and analysed each segment combined with the experiences of the countries recently concluding the process of acquisition of the fighter aircraft. Three segments will influence the decision: the bilateral agreement, the price and the business and economy co-operation package. This is a pluriannual project implemented by the state and by several governments, which we want to lead to the economy co-operation, the transfer of technology and new jobs. The procedure will be conducted transparent manner, and each segment will be examined to ensure the best end solution for the Republic of Croatia“, said the Minister.

In mid-July the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia is to submit the request to the United States, the Kingdom of Sweden, South Korea, the State of Israel and Greece  for the offer to procure the fighter aircraft, and the decision regarding the future development of the combat component is expected by late 2017.

The representatives of all state administration bodies will be included into the project to ensure a nation-wide consensus and for familiarisation with the missions, the goals and the tasks of the Croatian Armed Forces protecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Croatia with the emphasis on the national airspace.