Presentation of Strategic Defence Review

It is one of the fundamental documents that show the status of defence, assesses defence capabilities, identifies the need for adaptation, and determines future capabilities. It provides a basis for drafting a new set of laws in the field of defence systems and for the Long Term Development Plan. The first SDR was adopted in 2005 and since then it has not been changed. Croatia became a NATO member and participates in the common defence. The SDR states that Croatia is not faced now or in the foreseeable future with any threat of direct armed aggression on its territory.

Asymmetric, unconventional threats are the most direct threat to national security and safety of Croatia and its allies. The major efforts of the defence system are the safety and effectiveness of Armed Forces in operations and missions, full integration into NATO and the EU, development of necessary and affordable capabilities and defence cooperation with the countries of the region.

Journalists had opportunity to tour the “Kovčanje” barracks and to attend the demonstration of the Special Operations Battalion, which included a variety of tactical situations. At the end of the exercise Minister Kotromanovic said: “What you saw today, and I am a former member of special forces, are excellently trained people, they went through a series of compound exercises, and the level of readiness is excellent”, and continued, “We have presented today the strategic guidelines for the important things we will do to implement the Strategic Defence Review. Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces are capable of performing all the tasks arising from the Constitution”.