Croatian Armed Forces showcase maritime capabilities

The Croatian Armed Forces demonstrated their maritime combat capabilities on Thursday at the Žirje naval training ground and the Zečevo military site as part of the international military exercise "Combat Power 26."

The exercise involves more than 3,000 military personnel, over 25 Croatian Navy vessels, and 20 aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial systems operating at military training grounds across the country. It also serves as a platform for testing newly integrated combat systems and technologies.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić emphasized the multinational character of the exercise, noting that Croatia is training alongside ten NATO allies.

"I must stress that these military exercises are being done jointly with ten NATO ally countries. In this way, more than three-thousand soldiers will demonstrate their knowledge and capabilities together with the Croatian Armed Forces," Anušić said.

Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, highlighted the performance of recently acquired military equipment and the cooperation between different branches of the armed forces.

"Throughout the exercise we had the opportunity to see the effective performance of newly acquired air defense systems operating in unison with our Rafale aircraft. We also had the opportunity to see joint operations with special forces in the implementation of our primary tasks with regard to protecting our interests at sea," Kundid said.

The "Combat Power 26" exercise is scheduled to continue until July 3 and is one of the largest military training activities conducted by the Croatian Armed Forces this year.