The Dr. Franjo Tuđman Croatian Defence Academy celebrates 33rd anniversary | Foto: MORH/ T. Brandt

The Dr. Franjo Tuđman Croatian Defence Academy celebrates 33rd anniversary

“The CDA is a place where top leaders and military experts are made, and officers and non-commissioned officers are formed to ensure the survival of our country,” says CDA Commandant Major General Slaven Zdilar

On 20 December 2024 a ceremony was held at the Petar Zrinski Barracks in Zagreb to mark the 33rd anniversary of the Dr. Franjo Tuđman Croatian Defence Academy (CDA).

On this occasion, a ceremony was also held to present decorations, promotions, awards and commendations to the most distinguished employees of the Croatian Defence Academy.

Congratulating the 33rd anniversary of the Croatian Defence Academy, State Secretary Branko Hrg as an envoy of the Defence Minister thanked all employees of the CDA who take care of young people – the future of the Croatian Armed Forces. “Times are changing and we must carry out more intense preparations. In particular, we must especially take care of people because without them everything else seems pointless. This is why the Croatian Defence Academy has been a very important factor in the development of the Croatian Armed Forces for the last 33 years,” he concluded.

General Kundid: A military educational institution is the starting point for the development and progress of every modern military force

Chief of the CAF General Staff Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid emphasized that the CDA has provided education to numerous generations of officers and non-commissioned officers for decades, which is an obvious indicator of the importance and responsibility that the CDA has in the process of educating active military personnel.

“Military education cannot rest solely on tradition. It must also include innovations in education, and these innovations must follow the dynamics of changes taking place in the world. A military educational institution is the starting point for the development and progress of every modern military force,” General Kundid said, emphasizing that military education does not only transfer knowledge about strategies, doctrines and tactics. It is the process of forming officers and non-commissioned officers who will perform various duties throughout their careers.

In his address, the CDA Commandant, Major General Slaven Zdilar, referred to this year’s achievements of the CDA employees and military school students, emphasizing that they have proven that the Croatian Defence Academy is a high-quality educational institution. “Our priority is to produce educated, highly-trained and qualified members of the Croatian Armed Forces who will be able to respond to all the challenges. We are focused on strengthening and continuing our cooperation with other Croatian higher education institutions, research centres and civilian organizations and institutions in order to create a stimulating environment for the exchange of knowledge and innovation,” he said, emphasizing that the CDA is and must remain a place where top leaders and military experts are made, and officers and non-commissioned officers are formed to ensure the survival of our country.

The ceremony was attended by State Secretary Branko Hrg as an envoy of the Defence Minister, Chief of the CAF Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, CDA Commandant Major General Slaven Zdilar, Croatian President and Commander-in-Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović, Military Ordinary Monsignor Jure Bogdan, Director of the CAF General Staff Major General Krešo Tuškan, Rector of the University of Defence and Security Ivo Lučić, CAF service and unit commanders and deputy commanders, directorate heads, former CDA commandants, and other guests.

On 19 December 2024, to commemorate the 33rd anniversary of the Croatian Defence Academy, a delegation led by CDA Commandant Major General Slaven Zdilar laid a wreath and lit a candle on the grave of the first Croatian President Franjo Tuđman. The delegation also included the CDA Deputy Commandant, Colonel Damir Stručić, the Dean of the CDA, Colonel Goran Huljev, and the CDA’s Secretary, Colonel Radmilo Jasak.

The Dr. Franjo Tuđman Croatian Defence Academy

The CDA organizes and provides education for the needs of the CAF members, as well as foreign armed force members. The CDA offers Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic NCO Course, Advanced NCO Course, Sergeants Major Course, Basic and Advanced Officer Course. It also provides education at the Interservice Command and Staff School and the War College. It offers language courses at the Foreign Language Centre, the Defence Diplomacy Course, the Strategic Planning Course, and a number of other specialist courses. Around a thousand members of the Croatian Armed Forces, numerous foreign students, and participants from other ministries and state administration bodies complete these courses every year.

Currently there are 275 students at the Croatian Defence Academy enrolled in courses at all levels. 16 of them are foreign students from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Slovenia. There are also 29 foreign cadets from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Kosovo enrolled in study programmes. In 2024, 255 students completed foreign language courses at the “Katarina Zrinska” Foreign Language Centre.

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