DistantNews
Support us
Croatia urges partners to pressure Serbia over armament

Croatia urges partners to pressure Serbia over armament

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Croatia's Defense Minister Ivan Anušić urged reporting Serbia's armament to partners to exert political pressure.
  • Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković noted Serbia is acquiring offensive weapons and called for transparency with Western allies.
  • Anušić also highlighted Croatia's successful military training program and ongoing modernization of its armed forces, aiming for a fully equipped army by 2030.

Croatian officials are urging international partners to apply political pressure on Serbia due to its ongoing armament, which includes offensive capabilities. Defense Minister Ivan Anušić stated that Croatia must inform its allies about Serbia's military buildup to encourage this pressure.

Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković echoed these concerns, emphasizing that Serbia is acquiring not only defensive but also offensive weapons. He stressed the importance of openly communicating these developments to Western allies. "We must tell our Western allies. Don't shy away from it," Jandroković stated during an annual conference for Croatian ambassadors and military envoys.

Beyond regional security concerns, Anušić also commented on Croatia's domestic military initiatives. He praised the successful reinstatement of basic military training, noting a high participation rate and a low conscientious objection rate. The program has expanded its capacity, and Croatia is undertaking a significant modernization of its army, with the goal of having a fully equipped and powerful military by 2030.

Furthermore, Anušić highlighted the potential of Croatia's defense industry, describing it as a "mini industrial revolution." He believes the industry has a substantial opportunity to grow by producing quality systems for both the Croatian armed forces and international partners, particularly in the area of unmanned systems, a growing trend in modern warfare.

I to treba reći našim zapadnim saveznicima. Ne bježati od toga.

— Gordan JandrokovićParliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković emphasizing the need to inform Western allies about Serbia's offensive weapons.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.