Croatia’s army is gearing up for its biggest modernisation push in decades, with the green light given for four major defence projects worth almost €2 billion. From cutting-edge anti-drone systems to new tanks, howitzers, and heavy-duty trucks, the plans mark a major leap forward for the country’s military capability – and a boost for domestic industry, reports HINA.
The Croatian Parliament’s Defence Committee this week approved the Ministry of Defence’s ambitious new programme, unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić. The total price tag: €1.945 billion. The aim: a faster, smarter, more mobile Croatian Army fully aligned with NATO standards.
Three of the projects — the Leopard 2A8 tanks, Caesar MK2 self-propelled howitzers, and TATRA heavy off-road trucks — will be financed through the EU’s SAFE instrument, a European fund designed to support defence cooperation and security. The fourth, an advanced anti-drone protection system, will be paid for directly from Croatia’s state defence budget.
Boost for Croatian Industry
Croatian firms including Končar and Đuro Đaković will play a major role in the projects, alongside international partners such as Poland’s Advanced Protection Systems (APS) and the Czech company Tatra Defence Systems. The move not only modernises the army but also injects new energy into the domestic defence industry through technology transfer, production, and maintenance partnerships.
“Croatia is not only buying new military equipment; we’re investing in knowledge, technology, and our industrial base,” Anušić said during the announcement.
Anti-Drone Protection System
Value: €125 million (excluding VAT)
Implementation: 2026–2029
In an age where warfare is increasingly digital, Croatia plans to shield its skies with an advanced anti-drone defence network. A framework agreement will soon be signed with Končar dd to equip the army with two stationary and two mobile systems for protecting military installations.
Phase one, to be completed by mid-2027, includes developing detection, jamming, and interception systems connected via an AI-supported, cyber-resilient command network. The second phase introduces mobile platforms equipped with 30mm cannons.
Polish partner APS will supply key technology, transferring part of the production of its SKYctrl system to Croatia — a move expected to open the door to other domestic manufacturers.
Caesar 155mm MK2 Self-Propelled Howitzers
Value: ~€320 million
Delivery: by 2029
Croatia will join France, Estonia, Bulgaria, Portugal, and Slovenia in jointly purchasing 18 of the next-generation Caesar MK2 6×6 self-propelled howitzers through the French Armaments Agency (DGA).
The deal will include both the core artillery systems and a comprehensive package of reconnaissance equipment, fire control technology, communications, and logistics support. Funded by the SAFE instrument, the contract is expected to be signed this year, with all deliveries completed by 2029.
Leopard 2A8 Main Battle Tanks
Value: ~€1.3 billion
Delivery: 2028–2030
At the heart of the modernisation effort are 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks — among the most advanced in the world. The deal includes three simulators, spare parts, and full logistical support.
Production and delivery will begin in 2028, concluding by 2030. The tanks, co-financed through the EU’s SAFE programme, will replace older armoured vehicles and bring Croatia’s land forces up to NATO’s top operational standards.
TATRA Heavy Off-Road Trucks
Value: ~€200 million
Delivery: 2026–2030
Mobility and logistics will get a serious upgrade with the purchase of 420 TATRA T-815-7 all-terrain trucks (6×6 and 8×8). Croatia will join the Czech Republic and Slovakia in a joint procurement agreement to be signed by the end of the year.
The deal will also see Đuro Đaković Specijalna Vozila partner with Tatra Defence Systems for final assembly and maintenance in Croatia — another win for local industry. The trucks, which already serve in 21 NATO member states, meet full Alliance standards for ballistic and mine protection.
A Modern Army for a New Era
With deliveries stretching to 2030, Croatia’s defence forces are set for a sweeping transformation. From battlefield mobility to cyber-resilience, the projects will give the army a modern edge and bring Croatian industry firmly into the European defence supply chain.
“By combining domestic expertise and European cooperation, Croatia is securing not just its borders but its technological future,” said Anušić.
If all goes to plan, by the end of the decade Croatia’s armed forces will look — and operate — very differently: smarter, stronger, and ready for the challenges of the modern battlefield.
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