The Croatian Parliament’s Defence Committee endorses the 2024 Annual Defence Report

During its 2 June 2025, meeting, the Croatian Parliament’s Defence Committee approved the 2024 Annual Defence Report.

Presenting the Annual Defence Report to members of the Defence Committee, the State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, Branko Hrg, underlined that it offers an outlook for the defence sector in 2024. The report is structured through a presentation of activities, the development of defence capabilities, the structure of defence resources, and key development projects.

In this context, State Secretary Hrg presented the major achievements of the MoD in the past year, particularly emphasising the increase in the defence budget: “Croatia has committed to increasing its defence spending. The defence budget for 2024 was increased by 22.2% compared to 2023, and the budget for 2025 has increased by 18.2% compared to 2024.”

State Secretary Hrg also explained that financial resources are being allocated equally to the modernisation of all three services of the Croatian Armed Forces and highlighted the most significant equipment and modernisation projects that were implemented in the past year: “The handover of Rafale multirole combat aircraft was carried out, and the procurement of six unmanned Bayraktar TB2 aerial systems was completed. In addition, the project to modernise and put into service 62 out of a total of 89 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, the modernisation of Patria armoured modular vehicles, the equipping and introduction into operational use of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System, and the installation of a ROLE-2B field hospital, as well as the procurement of battle-decisive munitions, continued to be carried out,” Hrg explained.

The State Secretary also emphasised the ongoing project to equip the Coast Guard with coastal patrol vessels, which led to the appointment of a new coastal patrol ship (OOB-32 Umag) at the beginning of this year, as well as equipping it with patrol boats and enhancing mine countermeasure capabilities in the context of the development of maritime capabilities.

Mr Hrg also stated that a project for the joint procurement of 155 mm CAESAR self-propelled howitzers and LEOPARD 2A8 main battle tanks, as well as a project for the purchase of eight M142 HIMARS systems, had been prepared in relation to the ongoing transition to Western platforms.

In addition to raising the retirement age, increasing salaries, and generally improving soldiers’ living conditions, the State Secretary noted that a project to bring the Croatian Armed Forces back to Beli Manastir has been started in order to improve the material rights of members of the armed forces.

He continued, “In 2024, interest in voluntary military training increased – 656 conscripts successfully completed the training program”. He also noted the growing interest of young people in the military profession. When compared to 2023, when 307 conscripts finished the training, this results in a 113% rise.

State Secretary Hrg announced to the members of the Committee that this week, the following will be available at the e-Consultation: the new Defence Strategy of the Republic of Croatia, the Long-Term Development Plan, amendments to the Defence Act and the Act on Service in the Croatian Armed Forces, primarily related to the introduction of basic military training.