Final Preparations Underway for Military Parade Marking 30 Years Since Operation Storm
Not much time remains until the military parade set to take place in Zagreb on 31 July, in honour of the 30th anniversary of Operation Storm.
The army is currently training on ranges near Udbina. The parade will be directed by Krešimir Dolenčić, who also directed the first parade in 1995 at Jarun, held on 30 May following Operation Flash and ahead of Operation Storm, which was still anticipated at that time.
Parade Route and Set-Up in Zagreb
The parade will commence from the Croatia barracks in Zagreb, with its main segment to be held on Vukovarska Street, where the most powerful assets currently possessed by the Croatian Armed Forces will be showcased.
Stands for spectators will be placed near the monument to Franjo Tuđman, the first President of Croatia, while the main stage will be situated across the road near the Monument to the Homeland (close to the Lisinski Concert Hall).
The parade route itself will span 2,300 metres, along which 480 combat and non-combat vehicles, as well as 3,000 soldiers, will march.
In recent days, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić has revealed some details of this major event.
He stated that both mechanised units and infantry, along with the air force, are all rehearsing their respective tasks for the parade, and that everything is proceeding according to plan.
Military Hardware on Display
“It will involve an entire squadron of Rafales, Kiowas, Blackhawks.
Speaking of mechanised units and infantry, we will definitely showcase the Bradleys, which until now were not part of the Armed Forces.
The HIMARS may not arrive in time for the parade, but we are expecting delivery from the United States.
Two German Leopards are arriving.
We’ve received Bayraktars and other drones of our own production.
Practically all of our mechanisation will be on display – from transporters, tanks, howitzers, Panzer howitzers (one of the most modern and best artillery systems in the world),” said Anušić.
Background on HIMARS and Bradleys
HIMARS is a powerful American rocket system that has proven highly effective in Ukraine.
The United States approved the sale of this system to Croatia, valued at 390 million US dollars, as announced by the Pentagon last year.
The delivery is currently pending.
As for the Bradleys, they are partly a donation from the United States, but the majority were purchased by Croatia.
They are being refurbished at the military factory in Slavonski Brod.
Costs and Responsibilities
Anušić also stated that the Ministry of Defence will cover the costs of any repairs or works resulting from the parade.
“Of course, care will be taken to ensure that there is no damage or, at most, minimal damage.
But if there is any – it’s our cost, our project, and our responsibility,” said the Defence Minister.
Presidential Participation and Traditions
During the 2015 parade, the then-President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and then-Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović rode in a military jeep.
Anušić said he does not yet know whether this tradition will be repeated, or if he will accompany current President Zoran Milanović in a military vehicle.
“As protocol dictates for the parade, it will likely be the same this year.
The President and I will discuss it and we’ll see. But if that’s the option – fine, as it was 10 years ago, it will be this year too, just as it was 25 years ago,” said Anušić.
Final Touches and International Guests
It is also not yet known who will perform the Croatian national anthem.
Journalists posed the question to director Dolenčić, who responded in his typical style, without revealing anything: “I hope the whole of Croatia.”
Additionally, invitations have been sent to NATO allied countries, with seven representatives having confirmed their attendance so far.
The parade is expected to last around two hours.
