ZAGREB, 29 Nov 2021 - Defence Minister Mario Banožić on Monday responded to accusations from the president's office that soldiers were not receiving per diems, telling the head of the president's office and the president's defence advisor that the ministry "will not cover for their incompetence".

"Instead of holding unconvincing press conferences and shifting responsibility to others, the gentlemen from the Office of the President should be more responsible in spending their office's budget, so there would be no problems they had mentioned. While I am minister, the Ministry of Defence will not cover for their incompetence," Banožić wrote on Facebook.

The head of the president's office, Orsat Miljenić, and presidential defence adviser Dragan Lozančić said today that Banožić's abuse had spread to soldiers who supported the president because they had not received their per diems.

Miljenić said Banožić decided a month ago not to pay per diems to soldiers who supported President Zoran Milanović in any way, specifically soldiers who recently were lined up in Vukovar and carried wreaths in Škabrnja.

Miljenić said the military chief-of-staff warned the president's office about dozens of such cases in the past month. He added that Prime Minister Andrej Plenković was notified but has taken no action.

Miljenić said this situation was unacceptable and hoped that Banožić would rescind his "unconstitutional and unlawful decision" and resume paying people what they had earned.

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November 10, 2021 - As part of the exercises carried out by Croatian fighter jets in the temporary test flight zone of Čazma from Wednesday to Friday, the Defense Ministry has announced that the sound barrier may be broken and asks citizens for their understanding and patience.

The Ministry of Defense reported that on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday it is possible to expect the sound wall to be breached as part of the regular flying activities of Croatian Air Force fighter jets, reports HRT News.

From 12 noon to 4 pm on Wednesday and on Thursday, 11 November and Friday, 12 November from 10 am to 4 pm, pilots of the 191st Squadron of 91st Wing fighter jets will conduct regular flying activities during which a sound barrier can be expected to break through.

The planned test flights are being held at subsonic speeds in the temporary test flight zone of Čazma, which is geographically remote from the northeast, in the range of 600 to 1000 meters above the ground.

Čazma is a town in Bjelovar-Bilogora County, Croatia. It is part of Moslavina. It is situated 60 kilometers east of Zagreb and only 30 kilometers from the center of the region: Bjelovar. The town of Čazma is one of the oldest towns in the Republic of Croatia.

After the test flights in the temporary test flight zone Čazma, the last phase of testing the aircraft will be carried out, during which the sound barrier is expected to be breached in the Zagreb, Bjelovar-Bilogora, and Koprivnica-Križevci counties at an altitude of 1,000 to 10,000 meters and in the area Požega-Slavonia, Osijek-Baranja, Virovitica-Podravina,

Bjelovar-Bilogora and Koprivnica-Križevci counties at an altitude of over 10,000 meters, in compliance with all safety measures.

During the implementation of the planned flights and due to the breach of the sound wall, short-term amplified noise is expected, and we ask the citizens for patience and understanding, the Ministry of Defense reported.

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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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