9th Croatian Contingent departs for NATO activity in Hungary

A farewell ceremony for the 9th Croatian Contingent (HRVCON) to NATO's Forward Land Forces Activity as part of the Multinational Battle Group in Hungary was held in the barracks of the 9th Guards Brigade in Gospić on Tuesday.

The 59-member contingent of the Croatian Armed Forces is made up of 40 members of a light infantry platoon, three members of the medical team, two members of the Military Police Regiment, seven staff members, five members of the national support element and the command team, which consists of the contingent commander, Colonel Saša Berger and First Lieutenant Mislav Soldić.

Speaking at the send-off State Secretary Drago Matanović said that Croatia's participation in this NATO activity confirms its consistent commitment to the alliance's obligations and the values on which NATO is based: “By doing so, we are not only contributing to the security of the European space, but also further strengthening the international reputation of the Republic of Croatia as a responsible, reliable and credible ally.”

He added that working in a multinational environment, exchanging experiences and cooperating with allied armies contribute to the development of the capabilities and readiness of the Croatian Army.

For his part Colonel Berger expressed his belief that the Croatian contingent will successfully contribute to building a mosaic of common security and confirm the high level of preparedness and capability of the Croatian Army to operate in a multinational environment: “Experiences from the Homeland War show us that the security of our homes and our homeland should not be defended on our doorsteps, but in the directions from which the threat comes.”

The first Croatian contingent sent to Hungary was in July 2022. Up to 70 members can be deployed in a single rotation, and up to 140 in total per year. Tasks include joint training, integration with allied forces, and maintaining a high level of operational readiness. The Defense Ministry noted that in activities with Hungarian, American, Italian, and other allied forces, Croatian military personnel develop interoperability and apply NATO standards.

Source: HRT