Croatian Army
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| Croatian Army | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Croatian Army |
| Native name | Hrvatska kopnena vojska |
| Caption | Emblem of the Croatian Army |
| Start date | 1991 |
| Country | Croatia |
| Branch | Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Land warfare |
| Size | 6,000 active personnel |
| Command structure | General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia |
| Garrison | Zagreb |
| Garrison label | Headquarters |
| Motto | "Za dom spremni" |
| Anniversaries | 28 May (Armed Forces Day) |
| Equipment | List of modern equipment |
| Battles | Croatian War of Independence, Bosnian War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Kosovo Force |
| Commander1 | Zoran Milanović |
| Commander1 label | Commander-in-Chief |
| Commander2 | General Milanović |
| Commander2 label | Chief of the General Staff |
| Notable commanders | Janko Bobetko, Anton Tus, Zvonimir Červenko |
Croatian Army. It is the largest and most significant component of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, responsible for land-based military operations. Established during the Croatian War of Independence, its primary mission is to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Croatia. The army has evolved from a wartime defense force into a modern, professional military aligned with NATO standards.
History
The Croatian Army's origins are directly tied to the Croatian War of Independence, which began following the 1991 Croatian independence referendum and the declaration of independence from the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Initial resistance was organized by the Croatian National Guard, which was formally merged with other units to create the army in 1991. Key early engagements included the Battle of the Barracks, the Siege of Vukovar, and the Battle of the Dalmatian channels. Major offensives like Operation Flash and Operation Storm in 1995 were decisive in ending the war. Following the conflict, the army underwent significant demobilization and restructuring, culminating in Croatia's accession to the Partnership for Peace program and full membership in NATO in 2009, which guided its modern professionalization.
Organization
The Croatian Army is subordinate to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia and is headquartered in Zagreb. Its main combat formations include the Armoured Mechanized Guard Brigade and the Motorized Guard Brigade. Other significant units are the Croatian Army Artillery Regiment and the Engineer Regiment of the Croatian Army. The army also maintains specialized commands such as the Military Intelligence Agency and the Special Operations Battalion. The overall structure is designed for rapid response and interoperability with allied forces, particularly within the framework of NATO.
Equipment
The army operates a mix of modern, upgraded, and legacy equipment, with ongoing modernization efforts focused on NATO standardization. Its main battle tank fleet consists of M-84 tanks, an indigenous variant of the T-72, with plans for modernization. Infantry fighting vehicles include the Patria AMV and the M80A. Artillery systems feature the Panzerhaubitze 2000 and the M-92 "Vulkan". The anti-tank arsenal is built around the BGM-71 TOW and Spike missile systems. Standard infantry small arms are the VHS (rifle) and the Heckler & Koch G36.
Personnel
The Croatian Army is a professional volunteer force, having abolished conscription in 2008. Active-duty personnel number approximately 6,000 soldiers, with an additional 12,000 in the Croatian Army Reserve. Recruitment and training are conducted through centers like the Petar Zrinski Military Academy and the Training and Doctrine Command. Personnel regularly participate in multinational exercises such as Exercise Immediate Response and Noble Partner. The highest ranks include General, Lieutenant General, and Major General.
Deployments
Since the Croatian War of Independence and the Bosnian War, the army has transitioned to participating in international peacekeeping and security missions. A major long-term deployment was with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, where Croatian contingents were stationed in Regional Command North. The army has also consistently contributed troops to the Kosovo Force (KFOR). Other international missions have included support for United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights and the European Union Training Mission in Mali.
See also
* Croatian Navy * Croatian Air Force * Military of Croatia * Ministry of Defence (Croatia) * Domovinski rat
Category:Military of Croatia Croatia