The President of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Zoran Milanović visited the Croatian Navy yesterday to review its activities and readiness for maritime surveillance tasks.
As part of the visit, he joined a navigation exercise aboard the missile gunboat RTOP-42 Dubrovnik in the central Adriatic.
Navy Commander Commodore Damir Dojkić briefed the President on the Navy’s role in NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian, conducted in the Mediterranean. The Croatian Navy participated with the gunboat Vukovar, which returned today to its home port of Lora in Split. During the voyage north, Dubrovnik performed a rendezvous with Vukovar, allowing President Milanović to greet the returning crew.
The Croatian Navy continues to develop its combat capabilities to safeguard the country’s sovereignty at sea and along the coast. In peacetime, it monitors Croatian waters using ships, radar stations, and surveillance assets, in coordination with the Air Force, state institutions, and international allies.
Navy personnel are regularly deployed in NATO and EU operations. In addition to Sea Guardian, the Navy is currently engaged in NATO’s mine countermeasure operations and EU missions Atalanta and IRINI.
During the Dubrovnik cruise, Frigate Captain Stipe Mornar, Commander of the Surface Action Division, presented a detailed overview of current naval operations.
President Milanović was accompanied by Head of the Office Orsat Miljenić and Defence Advisor Ivica Olujić.