Croatian shipbuilding industry can build ships for defense of Europe

After the decision to rearm EU members, the Croatian shipbuilding industry says that it has the capacity to produce vessels for the European defense system, and Brodosplit says that they are interested in participating, and are already strategically focused on it.

“Croatian shipyards have enough capacity and knowledge to take on projects within the framework of European defense policy, if the need arises,” announced the Ministry of Economy, while the Ministry of Defense reminds that Croatian shipyards are already being used for the needs of the Croatian Armed Forces.

“We believe that the potential of the Croatian shipbuilding industry could also be used for the needs of the European defense system,” said the ministry.

Defense Minister Ivan Anušić said on Friday that Croatia has sent inquiries to NATO allies regarding the construction of two corvettes, regarding the price, speed of delivery and the possibility of upgrading or building their parts in Croatian shipyards.

Corvette construction in our shipyards

“We have information, through conversations with their military envoys and ambassadors, that they are all ready to participate in the construction of corvettes in our shipyards,” said Anušić.

Brodosplit Director Tomislav Debeljak claims that the Split shipyard is equipped to build corvettes.

“Brodosplit has strategically focused on the development of vessels for security and defense purposes and has launched the project of the offshore patrol ship corvette BIS 91,” said Debeljak.

BIS 91 warship capable of artillery fire

The BIS 91 corvette was designed as a multi-purpose warship capable of artillery fire against surface, air and coastal targets, and anti-aircraft combat at medium distances, as well as for anti-ship and anti-submarine operations.

It is equipped with sophisticated weapons systems, including a bow gun (76 mm or 57 mm), anti-aircraft missiles, long-range anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and remotely controlled cannons and machine guns.

“Brodosplit has the ability to design and build sophisticated vessels adapted to the needs of the European defense system,” says Debeljak, adding that they can also design and build submarines such as the former "Velebit."

“Brodosplit could offer the market modernized versions of the Una-class sabotage submarines, for which India and Egypt have previously expressed interest, as well as R-1 and R-2 sabotage submarines,” Debeljak said.

Source: HRT