Croatia
Armed Forces
During the last two years, the Croatian Armed Forces (CAF) continued the reorganisation process, which began in 2002. Now, Croatia is expecting to receive an invitation to join NATO, along with two other members of the Adriatic Charter - Macedonia and Albania.
In March 2004 a consensus was reached as regards some guiding principles of the CAF's reform. According to the new organisational chart, the CAF will comprise of Land Forces, Navy, Air Force and Air Defence components under a Supreme Command.
During 2004, a further downsizing of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the CAF personnel was conducted. The number of military personnel in service was reduced from about 21.000 in 2003 to about 19.000 in 2004, while the MoD personnel has been reduced from 3.190 to 2.970. Although Croatia is set to establish a fully professional army, the plans for gradual abolishment of the conscript service were considered for the first time in 2005.
The defence budget for 2004 amounted to EUR 587 mln. of which EUR 22 mln. have been spent on procurement. Non-armoured vehicles, electronics/communications and weapon systems for the Land Forces were the most costly items in procurement terms. The defence budget for 2005 was valued at EUR 547 mln., with modernisation expenditures rising to EUR 34 mln.
In accordance to its modernisation plans, Croatia procured 39 Iveco trucks at the price of EUR 5 mln. in late 2004. Further, 126 armoured vehicles were acquired to enhance the operational capabilities of the Land Forces. The Air Force's fleet of MiG- 21 fighters will remain in service till 2010. According to observers, a program for acquisition of replacement fighters is to be introduced in the near future.
Croatia is participating in several UN peacekeeping missions with 31 personnel, including 26 observers, a deputy mission chief, three staff officers and a military psychologist. Croatia is also involved in the NATO-led ISAF mission in Afghanistan where a Croatian Military Police platoon is attached to the German contingent.
TOTAL ARMED FORCES
The armed forces of Croatia are subject to an arms limitation regime established under the Dayton Peace Accord. An agreement signed by BiH, its two entities, Cr and FRY on 14 June 1996, established ceilings for the holdings of the armed forces of the parties.
ACTIVE 20,800 (including 1,950 General Staff, estimated 7,000 conscripts)
Terms of service 6 months
RESERVES 108,200
Army 95,000
Navy 8,300
Air Force 4,900
ARMY: estimated 14,050
(including 4,850 conscripts)
-4 Army corps
-1 armoured, 3 Guard brigades (organisation varies)
-1 MRL brigade
-1 ATK brigade
-3 ADA brigades
-3 engineer brigades
RESERVES
22 infantry "brigades", 4 artillery, 2 ATK, 2 ADA
EQUIPMENT
MBT 291: 222 T-55, 64 M-84, 3 T-72M
RECCE 1 BRDM-2
AIFV 104 M-80
APC 16 BTR-50, 8 M-60PB, 9 BOV-VP plus 20 "look-a-likes"
TOTAL ARTILLERY some 966 including
- TOWED 105mm: 48 M-56, 8 M-56H1, 90 M-2A1; 122mm: 43 M-1938, 42 D-30; 130mm: 79 M-46; 152mm: 21 D-20, 18 M-84, 3 M-84H1; 155mm: 19 M-1, 18 M-1H1; 203mm: 22 M-2
SP 122mm: 8 2S1
- MRL 122mm: 40 BM-21; 128mm: 2 M-63, 180 M-91; 262mm: 2 M-87 Orkan
- MOR 120mm: 317 M-75, 6 UBM-52; plus 82mm: 486
ATGW AT-3 Sagger, AT-4 Spigot, AT-7 Saxhorn, Milan reported
RL 73mm: RPG-7/-22; 90mm: M-79
ATK GUNS 100mm: 132 T-12
AD GUNS 448: 20mm: 315 BOV-1SP, M-55: 30mm: 17 M-53/59, BOV-3SP, 40 mm: 116
NAVY 2,500 (incl. 650 conscripts)
BASES Split (HQ), Pula, Sibenik, Ploce, Dubrovnik
Minor facilities: Lastovo, Vis
SUBMARINES 1
SSI 1 Velebit (Mod Una) for SF operations (4 SDV or 4 mines)
PATROL AND COASTAL COMBATANTS 7
MISSILE CRAFT 3
2 Kralj Petar PFM with 4 or 8 RBS-15 SSM
1 Rade Koncar PFM with 4 RBS-15 SSM
PATROL, COASTAL / INSHORE 4
4 Mirna PCC
AMPHIBIOUS craft only
5 LCU
SUPPORT AND MISCELLANEOUS 17
1 FSU Moma AGS (trg), 16 log support and target craft
MARINES
2 independent infantry companies
COASTAL DEFENCE
some 21 coast artillery battery, 3 RBS-15 SSM battery
AIR FORCE AND AIR DEFENCE 2,300
(including 630 conscripts)
27 combat aircraft, 9 armed helicopters
Flying hours 50
FGA / FTR 2 squadrons with 20 MiG-21 bis/ 7 MiG-21 UMD
TPT 6 An-2, 4 An-32, 4 CL-415, 2 CL-215 (fire fighting), 1 PA-31P, 4 AT-805F, 2 PC-12
HELICOPTERS 13 Mi-8MTV-1, 6 Mi-8, 9* Mi-24V
TRAINING 18 PC-9, 10 UTVA, 8 Bell 206B
AAM AA-2 Atoll, AA-8 Aphid
SAM SA-7, SA-9, SA-10, SA-14/-16
FORCES ABROAD
UN AND PEACEKEEPING
AFGHANISTAN (ISAF): 22
ETHIOPIA / ERITREA (UNMEE): 7 observations
HAITI (MINUSTAH): 1
INDIA / PAKISTAN(UNMOGIP): 3 observations
LIBERIA (UNMIL): 3
SIERRA LEONE(UNAMSIL): 10 observations
WESTERN SAHARA (MINURSO): 2 observations
PARAMILITARY 10,000
POLICE 10,000 armed
COAST GUARD boats only
FOREIGN FORCES
UN (SFOR II): estimated 50
Source: The Military Balance 2004 - 2005, published by the Institute of International and Strategic Studies