Croatian Army

Croatian Army
Emblem of the Croatian Army
Active	1991-Present
Country	Croatia
Type	Army
Size	12,000 personnel (includes 2000 volunteers)
Part of	Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia
H/Q	Karlovac
Motto	"Domovini vjerni" (Faithful to Homeland)
March	Mi smo garda hrvatska (We are the guards of Croatia)
Anniversaries	28 May
Engagements	Croatian War of Independence: Battle of Vukovar, Battle of the Barracks, Operation Coast-91, Siege of Dubrovnik, Operation Maslenica, Operation Winter '94, Operation Orkan 91, Operation Otkos 10, Operation Flash, Operation Summer '95, Operation Storm, Bosnian war: Croat–Bosniak War, Operation Mistral, War in Afghanistan
Commanders
Current commander	Major General Dragutin Repinc
Notable commanders	General Martin Špegelj, General Janko Bobetko, General Petar Stipetić, General Zvonimir Červenko, Lieutenant General Ante Gotovina, Lieutenant General Marijan Mareković, Lieutenant General Mladen Kruljac

The Croatian Army (also Croatian Ground Army, Croatian: Hrvatska kopnena vojska, Hrvatska vojska) is a branch of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.

The fundamental role and purpose of the Croatian Army is to protect vital national interests of the Republic of Croatia and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.

Basic tasks of the Croatian Army are:

• to maintain an optimal level of combat readiness of the Armed Forces
• to fight a possible aggressor's main forces on strategic-operational levels and to defend against any land, air and amphibious assaults
• to prevent, in cooperation with the other branches of the Armed Forces, an aggressor from in-depth operations on Croatian territory
• to build and develop the capability to respond to requests of non-traditional tasks that are required of the Croatian Army (floods, fires, natural disasters...)
• to assist its allies and friendly countries in time of need.

History

The Croatian Army was formed in the Croatian War of Independence, when on November 3, 1991 the Croatian National Guard was renamed Croatian Army.

Numerous Croatian army units arose from the Croatian National Guard, including:

• 1st Guards Brigade (Croatia)
• 2nd Guards Brigade (Croatia)
• 3rd Guards Brigade (Croatia)
• 7th Guards Brigade (Croatia)
• Croatian 104th Brigade
• 204th Vukovar Brigade

The locally-based regiments were named the Home Guard Regiments (Domobranska pukovnija). They were first created on 24 December 1991, during the war, and ceased to exist in a 2003 reorganization.

Organizational structure and status

The Croatian Army is an all-volunteer force numbering 12,500 active personnel. The Army can also call on 6000 reserve personnel who serve up to 30 days every year.

The Croatian Army is being reorganized to fit in the NATO doctrine of a small, highly-capable force with an emphasis on mobility and versatility.

Major combatant commands of the Croatian Army are one mechanized and one motorized brigade, each brigade having a specific role and different responsibilities. In 2012 one motorized infantry company is to be detached and put under the command of the EU Battle Group led by Germany. Croatia continues to deploy 350 personnel in support of NATO International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.

Croatia achieved NATO membership in April 2009. The defence reforms which Croatia initiated in 2000 have a long term goal of replacing and modernizing the armed forces to meet the challenges of NATO membership. The plan calls for modernization of the Army and introduction of the training and doctrine which is in line with Western (NATO) standards. Replacing ex-Yugoslav/Soviet hardware is also one of the main priorities.

There are various ongoing initiatives such as the upgrade of the tank fleet, modernization of obsolete anti aircraft systems, introduction of new Armored Personnel Carriers and NATO standard assault rifles, etc. Procurement of new, NATO-compatible equipment takes a significant part of the defense budget. Croatia plans to spend up to 20 billion kuna (1U$ = 5.0 kuna) on new arms over the next 7 years, of this at least 40% will be spent on the Army. However, the global financial crisis has put pressure on Croatia's public finances and the defense budget will be hard pressed to meet the modernization objectives as planned.

Croatia up until recently operated a total of just under 280 main battle tanks but this number decreased significantly due to the withdrawal of roughly 200 obsolete T-55 tanks in 2006. Most of these units have been scrapped but a limited number has been stored as operational reserve in case of need. The mainstay now is the M-84A4 Snajper main battle tank. However, modernization of the tank fleet is one of the priorities set in the new defense budget so that current tanks can be brought to the M-84D standard.

In July, 2007 Patria AMV won the contract to supply the next generation of APCs to the Croatian Army. Only 84 vehicles were ordered at first but additional 42 were purchased in an extended contract signed in December 2008. Croatia thus has 126 units on order with first six vehicles manufactured in Finland delivered by late 2008. All remaining vehicles will be locally produced. According to some reports at least 50-60 additional APCs are needed. In 2010 an order was placed for an undisclosed number (most probably 56) of M151 Protector remotely controlled weapons stations (RCWS).

In early 2007, Croatia bought 10 Iveco LMV light armoured vehicles at a cost of 330,000 Euros per unit. According to official documents, 94 of these vehicles are needed by 2012 and will be ordered shortly. However, Croatian contingent in Afghanistan continues to rely heavily on US-donated HMMWV and MRAP type vehicles.

Steps have been made to standardize the difficult-to-maintain vehicle inventory of the Croatian military which is full of various models of different origin, type and age. In 2005 the Army bought 152 light trucks and vehicles, 156 in 2006 with additional 170 obtained by the end of 2007. All vehicles are of prominent European or Japanese manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Iveco, MAN, Toyota and Nissan. These purchases are an ongoing process seen as roughly 150-180 new terrain vehicles are procured annually.

The Croatian Army plans to introduce a new assault rifle in 5.56mm NATO caliber to replace the AK-47 and its derivatives. The preferred model seems to be the locally manufactured VHS developed by HS Produkt. It was reported in the media that the MoD has purchased the initial batch of 1000 rifles in 2009-2010. Previous Defense Ministers Rončević and Vukelić both went on record stating the requirement for up to 20,000 rifles. The MoD press and photo releases from regular training activities in 2011 indicate that the VHS has been issued to elements of the Military Intelligence Battalion, Combat Swimmer Detachment of the Special Forces Battalion, as well as to one of the infantry companies of the Guards Motorized Brigade that will be made available to the German-led EU Battle Group in 2012. There have been unconfirmed reports that the rifle is being tested in Afghanistan.

Current structure of Croatian Army

Current structure of the Croatian Army

• Land Forces Command (based in Karlovac)

• • Armored Guard Brigade (based in Vinkovci)
    • Headquarters & Headquarters Company
    • 1st Tank Battalion "Kune"
    • 2nd Tank Battalion
    • 3rd Mechanised Battalion "Sokolovi"
    • 4th Mechanised Battalion "Pume"
    • Artillery Battalion
    • Air Defence Battalion
    • Engineer Battalion
    • Reconnaissance Company
    • Signals Company
    • Logistics Company

• • Motorized Guard Brigade (based in Knin)
    • Headquarters & Headquarters Company
    • 1st Motorised Battalion "Vukovi"
    • 2nd Motorised Battalion "Pauci"
    • 3rd Mechanised Battalion "Tigrovi"
    • 4th Mechanised Battalion "Gromovi"
    • Artillery Battalion
    • Air Defence Battalion
    • Engineer Battalio
    • Reconnaissance Company
    • Signals Company
    • Logistics Company

• • Training and Doctrine Command
    • Infantry Regiment
    • Artillery Regiment
    • Air Defence Regiment
    • Engineer Regiment
    • Logistics Regiment
    • Basic Training Centre
    • Tactical Artillery Training Centre
    • Training and Operations Simulation Centre
    • Training Centre for International Military Operations
  • Military Police Regiment
  • Signals Regiment
  • Military Intelligence Battalion
  • NBC Defence Battalion

Army Modernization plans

A Croatian Army Patria AMV in Karlovac, 2009

An Iveco truck

Croatian soldiers in training

Croatia plans to spend about 7.5 billion Kuna (1.5 billion USD) over the next 7 years equipping its ground army.

Main Programs

• Procurement of 126 Patria AMV Modular APC/IFV - 1.4 billion Kuna (additional vehicles might be ordered after 2012 once more funds become available). Original contract with Finnish Patria was revised due to economic crisis with no changes in number of vehicles.

• Procurement of 94 Iveco LMVs at a cost of 220 million Kuna. Additional 100-150 vehicles are being considered for the needs of the army.

• Procurement of Advanced Artillery systems, 24x 155 mm Self Propelled Howitzers are to be procured before 2015 to replace obsolete 2S1 self-propelled howitzers. Program is on the back burner as there are more important defense programs and procurement of new howitzers might need to be postponed for few years. Swedish ARCHER Artillery System and French CAESAR self-propelled howitzer are most likely candidates for this program. German PzH 2000 was labeled to be too heavy for Croatian terrain. Cost of program - 1.2 billion Kuna.

• Procurement of 550 5-ton army trucks, 200 7.5-ton military trucks and 300 4WD vehicles - program is in a full swing and first batch of MAN (150), Mercedes (30) and Iveco (50) military trucks was delivered. Croatian Army also ordered large numbers of new 4WD vehicles, Mercedes-Benz G-Class - 160(320), Land Rover Wolf - 30, Toyota Land Cruiser - 50, Nissan Navara - 50, delivered in 2005-2007. Cost of program - 570-580 million Kuna.

• Modernization of M-84A4 Snajper MBTs and their upgrade to M-84D standard. Program calls for an upgrade and modernization of 75 existing tanks and procurement of additional 29 new tanks over the next 4 years due to a plan which requires Croatia to operate at least 104 modern tanks before 2015. Cost of program - 850 million Kuna.

• Introduction of new 5.56 mm NATO standard assault rifle. Cost of program - unknown. (20,000 rifles with day/night sights and grenade launchers are planned). Most likely choice is domestic VHS assault rifle, contract for acquisition of first 1,000 rifles was signed with HS Produkt.

• Scores of smaller programs, communication equipment, night vision capability, electronic sensors, NBC equipment, battlefield management systems and modernization of Artillery systems with new sights and electronic fire control systems.

Other programs:

• Equipping motorized infantry battalion (800-1000 men) with night vision equipment, including advanced optoelectronics and sensors, ground radars, thermal imaging cameras – 120 million Croatian Kuna
• NBC equipment for biological/chemical-decontamination unit – 150 million Croatian Kuna
• Procurement of new army engineering vehicles, armored recovery vehicles, mine clearance vehicles and armored personal vehicles designed to withstand mine blasts – 320 million Croatian Kuna
• Procurement of modern communication and battlefield management systems – 50 million Croatian Kuna
• Procurement of new logistic and amphibious vehicles – 250 million Croatian Kuna
• Procurement of 3-4 Artillery Radars – 30-40 million Croatian Kuna
• Procurement of 8-12 Mobile air defense radars – 200-300 million Croatian Kuna
• Procurement of Army Field Hospital - 80-100 million Croatian Kuna
• Procurement of 16 Army Tank transporters, Heavy Equipment Transporters – 80-100 million Croatian Kuna
• Procurement of Bridge laying equipment – 100 million Croatian Kuna

Equipment

• Handguns

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Quantity	Note
HS Produkt HS 2000		9x19mm	Croatia	40 000	standard sidearm
FN Five-seven		5.7x28mm	Belgium	-	used by BSD

• Submachine guns

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Quantity	Note
Arma Ero / Mini ERO		9x19mm	Croatia	2500	-
H&K MP5		9x19mm	Germany	-	-
H&K UMP		9x19mm	Germany	-	-
H&K MP7		4.6x30mm	Germany	850	-

• Assault rifles

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Quantity	Note
Zastava M70		7.62x39mm	Yugoslavia	102 000	standard assault rifle
HS Produkt VHS		5.56X45mm	Croatia	2600+	new standard assault rifle
H&K G36		5.56X45mm	Germany	850	standard assault rifle, more to be acquired
FN F2000		5.56x45mm	Belgium	100	used by BSD
FN FAL		7.62x51mm	Belgium	5000	-
Colt M4		5.56x45mm	United States	400	-

• Sniper rifles

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Quantity	Note
Zastava M76		7.92x57mm	Yugoslavia	640	standard sniper rifle
Metallic MACS M3		12.7x99mm	Croatia	240	standard sniper rifle
Sako TRG-42		8.6x70mm	Finland	240	standard sniper rifle
Metallic RT-20		20x110mm	Croatia	80	anti-materiel rifle
Remington M40		7.62x51	United States	260	-
Barrett M82		12.7x99mm	United States	150	anti-materiel rifle

• Grenade launchers

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Quantity	Note
Metallic RBG-6		40x46mm	Croatia	-	-
H&K AG36		40x46mm	Germany	-	-

• Machine guns

Model	Image	Caliber	Origin	Quantity	Note
Zastava M84		7.62x54mm	Yugoslavia	1400	-
Browning M2		12.7x99mm	United States	500	-
FN M249		5.56x45mm	Belgium	-	-
FN MAG		7.62x51mm	Belgium	400	-
CIS Ultimax 100		5.56x45mm	Singapore	100	-

• Main battle tanks

Model	Image	Type	Origin	Number	Details
M-95 Degman		MBT	Croatia	2	Two units in operational service, development transferred to M-84D. The first unit delivered in 2004 and the second one in 2007.
M-84D		MBT	Croatia	4-8	Still under development, the entire M-84A4 fleet is to be brought to this level between 2012 and 2015. Low rate modernization process is ongoing since 2008 and by early 2012 probably 8-10 units have been converted. Full rate modernization is to start by early 2013, i.e. once the production of all Patria AMVs is completed and is to last until 2015 at the latest.
M-84A4 Snajper		MBT	Croatia	75	All M-84A tanks brought to this standard by 2008 and are awaiting further upgrade. They are divided into two tank battalions.

• Tracked vehicles

Model	Image	Type	Origin	Number	Details
BVP M-80A		IFV	Yugoslavia	128	A total of 104 vehicles operational in two battalions, additional 24 converted or surplus units. Possible modernization of the fleet is now unlikely and existing units will probably be replaced by additional Patria AMV IFVs after 2015 or later.
BTR-50PK		APC	Soviet Union	18	Due to be replaced by Patria AMV by 2012 but so far kept due to their amphibious capabilities.
MT-LB		APC	Poland	10	Due to be replaced by Patria AMV by 2012.

• Wheeled Armoured Personnel Vehicless

Model	Image	Type	Origin	Number	Details
Patria AMV		APC	Finland	126	A total of 74 units in their basic version delivered by January, 2012. The production will continue till the end of 2012. A 3rd batch is possible around 2015 to augment and finally replace all BVP M-80As seen as Croatia had previously envisaged a fleet of 200+ of these vehicles. Existing vehicles have not yet entered service and most are awaiting their 12,7 mm RCWSs with Kongsberg Gruppen to start their delivery by March, 2012. Kongsberg Gruppen signed a contract with the Croatian MoD in September, 2010 for 56 M151 Protector under a 14 million euro deal to equip the initial batch of Patria AMV vehicles. The selection of 30 mm turrets/stations is to be concluded by August or September of 2012. At least 24 of the M151 Protector stations will be armed with modern anti tank systems. Additional 24 Patria AMV are to be armed with 30mm/Spike turrets and lastly 24 with 40mm grenade launcher. Eight vehicles will remain unarmed and used as Ambulance and NBC vehicles. [1]
BOV VP		APC	Yugoslavia	54	Some are used by the Military Police and in ISAF missions.
LOV-1		APC	Croatia	~50	A light APC of indigenous design, a total of 72 were produced by 1997. Some sold to Bosnia and Herzegovina and the UN.
BOV-3			Yugoslavia	44	A self-propelled 3x20mm anti aircraft gun, also used as an APC.
M-83 Polo		APC	Yugoslavia	37	An anti-tank variant armed with the improved 9M14P1 Malyutka missiles.
HMMWV 1114		IMV	United States	63	Twelve vehicles donated by the US Army in 2007, additional 30 in 2008 and again 8 vehicles in 2009. They are mostly used by ISAF forces in Afghanistan but some are home-based. Around 40 new M1151 Up-Armored Capable HMMWV [2] will partially replace the earlier M1114 versions, with 13 delivered in February and additional 13 to follow by February, 2012. These newer vehicles, however, are to remain in the country.
Iveco LMV		IMV	Italy	10	Additional 84 units were planned to enter service by 2012 but this is likely to be defered by a year or two due to the delivery of M1151 Up-Armored Capable HMMWVs.
International MaxxPro		MRAP	United States	8	Additional donated vehicles are possible to follow as the Croatian ISAF contingent in Afghanistan grows.

• Combat engineering vehicles

Model	Type	Origin	Quantity	Note
M-84AI	Armoured Recovery Vehicle	Croatia	unknown	The last vehicle entered service in 2002.
T-55TZI	Armoured Recovery Vehicle	Soviet Union	unknown	Are awaiting replacement.
MT-55A	Armoured Bridge Vehicle	Czechoslovakia	unknown	Additional bridge units are mounted on KrAZ 6x6 heavy trucks, but are awaiting replacement.
PTS-M	Amphibious Vehicle	Soviet Union	unknown	After some years of inactivity they have been overhauled and are still operational.
PMS	Pontoon Bridge	Soviet Union	unknown	All are mounted on Tatra T813 8x8 trucks.

• Anti-tank weapons

Model	Type	Origin	Quantity	Note
Spike ER	Fire-and-forget anti-tank missile	Israel	unknown	An unknown number are on order for Patria AMV 30mm/Spike Kongsberg RCWSs.
9К115-2 Metis-M	wire-guided anti-tank missile	Soviet Union	54
9K111 Fagot	wire-guided anti-tank missile	Soviet Union	119
9K11 Malyutka	wire-guided anti-tank missile	Soviet Union	360	Only the 9M14P1 variant is in service but all are due to be replaced by 2015 by more modern systems.
M80 "Zolja"	RPG	Yugoslavia	1000	Are available in large quantities.
RL90 M95	RPG	Croatia	1500	Are available in large quantities.
AT4	RPG	Sweden	300+	The exact number of these weapons is unknown.

• Anti-aircraft warfare

Model	Type	Origin	Quantity	Note
Strijela - 10CROA1	short range surface-to-air missile system	Croatia	10	Additional 2 units are to be acquired, the systems are currently undergoing modernization and test trials and offer 15-20% better performance than their Russian original, especially in their range (7 km versus 5 km) and flight altitude (5 km versus 3,5 km). They might be mounted on Patria AMV vehicles to increase maneuverability. The option to install Mistral M2 or RBS 70 missiles is also a possibility.
9K38 Igla	MANPADS	Soviet Union	67	The system was to undergo a modernization in 2010 but whether this has been done is uncertain.
9K32 Strela-2M	MANPADS	Soviet Union Yugoslavia	141 (+372)	Existing variants were produced and/or modernized in Croatia and offer slightly better performance than their original variants. Additional 372 systems are slowely to be withdrawn by 2015.
BOV 20/3	SPAAG	Yugoslavia	44	The triple M55 20mm anti-aircraft guns mounted on a BOV APC.
M55 A4 20/3	anti-aircraft gun	Yugoslavia	73	Nineteen units to be withdrawn by 2015, all brought to the latest A4 variant.
Bofors 40 mm L/70	anti-aircraft autocannon	Sweden	12	Paired to Giraffe radars but possibly withdrawn from service due to costly maintanence.

• Although Croatia acquired the S-300 long-range surface-to-air missile system in 1994 and demonstrated some of its parts on the 1995 military parade, it is believed that the system was never fully completed and operational although the training of crews was sought as late as 1998. Some sources claim that the weapon was subsequently handed-over to the USA or Israel in 2002-2004. However, officials still claim that the system is stored somewhere in Croatia.

• Artillery

Model	Caliber	Type	Origin	Active	Reserve	Note
M57	60mm	Mortar	Croatia	69	1253
M96	82mm	Mortar	Croatia	69	360	improved copy of the Yugoslav M69 mortar
M75	120mm	Mortar	Croatia	43	201
M56	105mm	Howitzer	Yugoslavia United States	16	43	used only for training, license-produced copy of the M101 howitzer, additional 95 units being withdrawn till 2015
D-30 HR M94	122mm	Howitzer	Croatia	36	?	improved Russian D-30 howitzer brought up to NATO standards, additional one unit withdrawn
M-46H1	130mm	Howitzer	Soviet Union	32	?
M84 "NORA"	152mm	Howitzer	Yugoslavia	16	/	additional two units being withdrawn till 2015
CITER 155mm L33 Gun	155mm	Howitzer	Argentina	8	/	all systems operational
M114	155mm	Howitzer	United States	18	/	all system operational
2S1 Gvozdika	122mm	Self-propelled howitzer	Soviet Union	9	/	due to be replaced by 18 more modern systems
RAK-12	128mm	Towed MRL	Croatia	8	60	Croatian-built version of the M-63 Plamen
M-63 Plamen	128mm	Towed MRL	Yugoslavia	200	?	total number is 200, but systems are mostly in reserve
M-94 'Plamen S	128mm	MRL	Yugoslavia	/	14	stored
APR-40	122m	MRL	Romania	36	/	improved Romanian version of the BM-21, some additional units in reserve
M-96 Tajfun	122mm	MRL	Croatia	4	/	based on the Yugoslav M-77 Oganj but of 122mm calibre instead of 128mm, mounted on Tatra T813 instead of FAP trucks
M-91 Vulkan	122mm	MRL	Croatia	8	/	based upon the Yugoslav M-77 Oganj but of 122mm calibre instead of 128mm
M-87 "Orkan"	262 mm	MRL	Yugoslavia		4	in reserve due to lack of adequate rocket ammunition

• Logistics
• Army Jeeps, 4WD (550)
  • • Mercedes-Benz G-Class Germany
    • Land Rover Wolf United Kingdom
    • Toyota Land Cruiser Japan
    • Nissan Navara Japan

• Army Trucks 5-15t (1200)
  • • Mercedes-Benz Germany
    • Iveco Italy
    • MAN Germany
    • TAM (will be retired within next 3–5 years) Slovenia
    • FAP (will be retired within next 3–5 years) Yugoslavia

• • Field Ambulance Trucks and 4WD vehicles (100)
  • Special Vehicles (150)

• Withdrawn from service or in store
  • T-55A withdrawal of over 200 units started in 2006 with a dozen or so tanks used for training until late 2009, but even that is no longer the case due to shortage of funds and all units have now been withdrawn and awaiting disposal.
  • M-47 Patton (16) (2 in the local army museum and rest are target practice)
  • M60P/M60SAN (45) (Yugoslav-made APCs - scrap heap and 2 in the local army museum)
  • BRDM-2
  • BTR-60 (16) (2 in the local army museum, scrap heap)
  • ZSU-57-2 (2) (target practice)
  • M53/59 Praga (24) (2 in the local army museum, scrap heap)

See also

• List of military equipment of Croatia
• List of Croatian soldiers