Preparations underway for military parade in Zagreb

In just over one week's time, a massive military parade marking the 30th anniversary of Operation Storm will be held in Zagreb on 31 July. 

Training exercises for the big event, which also commemorates Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders, are underway.

On Tuesday, infantry formations with more than 2,200 soldiers took place at the Croatian Air Force base in Pleso.

The youngest participant in the parade, 18-year-old Niko Tomić, said it would be a day to remember.

"I began my basic military training last October. After that, I completed my specialization in March. Now I'm with the Second Mechanized Guards Brigade. That was difficult but I'm proud to be a member. I am happy and honoured to march and train for this commemoration with veterans and senior officers from the Homeland War," said Tomić.

At the head of the parade will be 200 flags of active war units, followed by members of historical units, cadets, conscripts and reserves.

In addition to the Armed Forces, the parade will also feature five units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, members of the Police Academy, Civil Protection Directorates, the Croatian Firefighters' Association and, for the first time, Judicial Police.

So far, around 50 members of foreign armed forces from nine countries - including the USA, Great Britain, Hungary and Poland - have been confirmed.

In addition to the soldiers and military vehicles on the ground, a spectacular flying program, featuring more than 40 aircraft military and police aircraft, will take place in the skies above the nation's capital.