Defense Ministry and Končar sign a deal on anti-drone defense systems

The Croatian Defense Ministry signed an agreement for the procurement of anti-drone defense systems from the Končar Company on Thursday. Valued at €125 million before tax, the four systems will be delivered in 2027.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ivan Anušić signed a Framework Agreement with the Končar - Digital Company for the procurement of Counter Unmanned Aerial Vehicles defense systems. According to Minister Anušić the systems will be used to protect critical infrastructure and should be up and running by 2027: "In question are two stationary systems to protect critical military infrastructure, and two mobile systems. We have specified what we want and need to have and Končar will deliver the technical characteristics. We want to protect our critical infrastructure, specifically the airports in Zagreb and Zadar."

Končar CEO Gordan Kolak said the deal will help Končar expand its business: "Through contracts with the Defense Ministry we expect to create new references with which tomorrow we will move into foreign markets."

In related news, the EU’s "Helicopter Support to the Civil Protection System" project was presented at the Interior Ministry's Aviation Unit in Lučko on Thursday. As part of the project two helicopters have been purchased for emergency rescue, while the purchase of a third has been contracted. The helicopters will enable the faster, safer and more efficient response of civil protection units to demanding operations in extreme conditions. The Assistant Commander at ATJ Lučko for the Air Force Unit, Alen Sambolec: "Currently, these are the best equipped helicopters in Croatia. What the first flights have shown is that they are extremely powerful at high altitudes, which is most important for the mission they were purchased for."

The interim director of Civil Protection, Neven Karas, says the new aircraft will greatly benefit Croatia’s resilience: "They will enable timely response and effective action in crisis situations, in urban, rural and hard-to-reach areas, which is crucial in saving lives. This strategic investment will pay off through saved lives, reduced material damage and our society's greater resilience."

Source: HRT