Vice-admiral Robert Hranj assumes duty as Armed Forces Chief of General Staff

A ceremony was held at the Ministry of Defence today to transfer duties to the new Armed Forces Chief of General Staff. Vice admiral Robert Hranj assumed the duties, taking over from General Mirko Šundov.

The flag of the Armed Forces General Staff was symbolically handed to Vice admiral Robert Hranj by President Zoran Milanović.

“It is our goal to develop a better, more equipped and more modern armed forces, depending on how much resources and time we have. By decision of the minister I will remain in the inter-agency committee for the purchase of a combat aircraft. Firstly, I need to only continue where my predecessors left off, we will need to complete the Long term Development Plan,” said Vice-admiral Hranj.

Armed force supreme commander, President Milanović, said that he has known vice admiral Hranj for years.

“I know your work capacity, what your capacity for learning is. I won't say what you've learned, you learn your whole life, but now you're commanding and this is the duty with the most responsibility you've had until now. This is a point where prudence, the ability to judge and composure are more important,” said Milanović.

The former Chief of General Staff, General Mirko Šundov, who was seen off with applause, said he will be retiring but will not remain inactive.

“I will give lectures for cadets, write expert papers and hopefully books. I would like to only point out our best project in these four years of my mandate and that is concentrating on people, their respect and regulating their material rights, as well as better living and working conditions. Robert I wish you much success, be the best Chief of General Staff,” said General Šundov.

The mandate of the Chief of General Staff lasts four years and Vice-admiral Hranj has announced certain personnel changes, first in the land forces and the General staff, adding that he will equally develop all branches of the armed forces.

Source: HRT