The ceremonial farewell of the members of the 18th Croatian Contingent to NATO Forward Land Forces in Poland was held today at the “132nd Croatian Army Brigade” Barracks in Na\u0161ice.<\/p>\n
A total of 52 members of the 18th Croatian Contingent, including two female members, are deploying to NATO Forward Land Forces in Poland with Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. The commander of the Bradley infantry fighting vehicle platoon is First Lieutenant Stjepan Pand\u017ei\u0107.<\/p>\n
Addressing the members of the 18th Croatian Contingent, State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence Tomislav Gali\u0107, representing the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, said:<\/p>\n
“I am proud that we are demonstrating our capabilities in an international environment and that, for the first time, we are deploying a platoon of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to a NATO activity.”<\/p>\n
“This contingent, together with the equipment and capabilities we are deploying to Poland, is yet another confirmation that the Croatian Armed Forces are keeping pace with contemporary security challenges and that we are ready to assume the responsibilities that NATO membership entails,” State Secretary Gali\u0107 said.<\/p>\n
State Secretary Gali\u0107 also expressed his special appreciation to the families of the members of the 18th Croatian Contingent:<\/p>\n
“Your understanding, support and patience are an integral part of every successfully\u00a0 completed task carried out by our soldiers.”<\/p>\n
Brigadier General \u017deljko Ljubas, Commander of the Command and Operations Centre, said that the Croatian Armed Forces are currently participating in around ten missions, operations and activities around the world, stressing that their most important task is to contribute to peace and stability worldwide.<\/p>\n
General Ljubas emphasised:
\n“The objective of this mission is to strengthen interoperability and combat readiness through training with the other members of the battlegroup. This significantly contributes to the development of the capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces and strengthens deterrence and the collective defence of the North Atlantic Alliance.”<\/p>\n