by Marko Barišić: Croatia commemorates Armed Forces Day with a ceremony attended by General Ante Gotovina. He reflects on the army’s progress and readiness amid evolving global threats. With renewed investment and modernisation underway, Croatia positions itself as a key player in NATO’s future defence strategies.
Gotovina: Croatian Army is evolving, ready, and will be even better
Croatia marked Armed Forces Day in remembrance of 28 May 1991. On that day, a ceremonial review of the National Guard was held at a football stadium in central Zagreb, in Kranjčevićeva Street.
The first Croatian brigades were presented—units that would soon defend the homeland against the Greater Serbian aggression.
On that day, the Croatian Army was effectively established. This year’s celebrations marked the 34th anniversary of that pivotal moment.
As is customary, a formal ceremony was held at the “Zvonimir” Croatian Armed Forces Hall.
It was attended not only by the state leadership and top military officials. Also, retired commanders from the Homeland War were present, which they victoriously concluded.
Remembering the past and facing the future
Among those present was retired General Ante Gotovina. He led Croatian forces in Operation Storm, an expertly executed final military-police operation for the liberation of the country.
Conducted over just four days from 4 to 8 August 1995, it eliminated the so-called Serbian para-state “Krajina” from Croatian territory.
Journalists approached General Gotovina to ask his thoughts on the current state of the Croatian Army.
In recent times, such questions have taken on new significance. This is due to Europe’s deteriorating security situation, driven by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. There is also potential spillover of conflict into areas affecting Croatia’s security.
Gotovina began by paying tribute, as he always does, to those who, in his words, “gave their lives and laid the foundations of our statehood and of the Armed Forces.” He then expressed satisfaction with the state of the Croatian Army.
An evolving and prepared military
“The Croatian Army is evolving, performing its duties, and is ready—and it will be even better,” he said.
He added, likely in light of discussions about increased defence spending, that “investing in your own security is never a cost.”
He concluded by stating, “The Armed Forces have the task of safeguarding sovereignty, security, and our freedoms.”
Gotovina is well-informed and knows that only in recent years has the condition of the Croatian Army started to improve. This followed a period when reduced defence budgets left the military in a far less prepared state.
Supporting modernisation without criticism
Yet he is wise enough not to dwell on past shortcomings during such a ceremonious occasion—especially given the international context. Instead, by stating that the army is “evolving, ready, and will be even better,” he lent his support to the modernisation currently underway.
This modernisation concerns the new nature of warfare. Such warfare has been evident for some time in Ukraine, where drones and counter-drone measures have become key elements in modern battles.
Croatia’s quiet advances in defence technology
As Defence Minister Ivan Anušić previously noted, Croatia has quietly engaged in the development of defence armaments—without widespread public awareness. They have even commenced domestic production of such systems.
This progress has reached the point where Croatia has offered to assume a leading role in manufacturing small combat drones for its NATO allies.
As he was leaving, journalists also asked General Gotovina if he would attend Marko Perković Thompson’s concert at Zagreb’s Hippodrome in early July, for which over half a million tickets have already been sold—a world record. “If I find the time, I’ll go. After all, Marko is our friend, a defender, and an artist,” he replied. With that simple answer, he said far more than what was asked.
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