ZAGREB, 28 May 2021 - At the beginning of his cabinet's meeting on Friday, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković sent a congratulatory message to the armed forces and the ground army on the occasion of Army Day and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Croatian army.

"In the last three decades, the Croatian army with its origins among the people, gained huge experience during the Homeland War which it won, and it has developed into an efficient and modern armed force prepared to deal with all the tasks assigned to it," Plenković said.

After the the 1991-1995 war, the army underwent a successful process of the peacetime transformation, and only 11 years after the peaceful reintegration of its  Danube egion, Croatia became a member of NATO, the strongest military alliance in the history, the premier underscored.

Croatia's soldiers are highly-esteemed participants in a lot of international missions and operations worldwide, including those run by NATO and those run by the United Nations. All that is conducive to the international security and peace, as preconditions for any development and prosperity, he added.

In the present-day more and more unstable world, Croatia must be able to efficiently safeguard its territory and borders, control its skies and sea and ensure its stability and energy independence, and, if necessary, protect its won freedom, he said.

In this context Plenković noted that his cabinet pursued the course that accomplished the priorities of the defence and security policies.

The government has adopted a new national security strategy and the legislation on homeland security and increased defence outlays and made investments in the miltiary equipment and modernisation, he noted.

At the end of his speech on the modernisation of the army, PM Plenković revealed the decision of his cabinet to purchase 12 used French multipurpose fighter jets Dassault Rafale F3R for €999 million.

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ZAGREB, 28 May 2021 - Defence Minister Mario Banožić and military Chief-Of-Staff Admiral Robert Hranj on Friday extended greetings on Croatian Army Day, Croatian Ground Army Day and the Croatian National Guard's 30th anniversary, saying Croatia was proud of its history and the Homeland War and focused on the future.

Banožić recalled the lining up of the Croatian National Guard 30 years ago in front of then president and supreme commander Franjo Tuđman, saying that in an imposed war, in fighting for freedom and independence, the resolute and brave Croatian youth in a short time grew into a reputable military power capable of defending and liberating the then occupied parts of the country.

"We proudly remember the glorious final operations, notably Flash and Storm, when the Croatian Army brought victory and ensured peace and freedom for the Croatian people."

Banožić said he was proud of the achievements of the Croatian Army at home and abroad, thanking every member for their honourable and professional service.

He said today was an occasion to remember all the defenders who gave their lives for Croatia's freedom, calling on all soldiers and officers to continue to protect their legacy.

Admiral Hranj said the Homeland War was a symbol of the strength of Croatia's citizens and the patriotism of its soldiers, adding that the present-day Armed Forces were built on those foundations.

He said the army's fundamental missions remained the defence of the country, contributing to international stability and assisting civilian institutions.

The Croatian Army is developing as an important part of all of the state's potential and as an inseparable part of society, he added.

President pays tribute to those killed in Homeland War

President and Armed Forces Supreme Commander Zoran Milanović today laid wreaths at Zagreb's Mirogoj cemetery and paid tribute to those killed in the Homeland War and all soldiers and police officers. He was accompanied by Hranj.

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