Military holds largest joint exercises since 2018

Top military brass, together with President Zoran Milanović and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić, attended the culmination of joint military exercises, dubbed 'Combat Power 25', at the Military Training Area near Slunj earlier today. 

The exercises, which began earlier this month, were the largest of their kind since 2018.

President Zoran Milanović, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, said that war was a "terrible and costly endeavour" and that military equipment was very expensive.

"The machines behind you are worthless without you, but invaluable with you. However, they are at least twice as expensive as they were before the most recent war in Ukraine. In the world we live in, the Government and the Parliament must ensure a steady, smart, economical, and rational supply of what is needed," he said.

"In war, someone bleeds and someone profits," said Milanović in regard to world's military industrial complex.

Colonel General Tihomir Kundid, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, said the exercises were taking place "on land, at sea, in the air and in cyberspace".

He explained that the main goal of the exercises was to demonstrate "the capabilities, armaments, training and readiness of the Croatian Armed Forces".

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić said that his presence at bilateral meetings and conferences around the world was to promote Croatian military technology.

"Already, some of our products that weren't on the market a year or two ago are now available around the world," said the minister.