The Croatian Army has the ability to protect our territory in the most effective way

Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic watched a part of an ongoing Croatian military exercise on the central Adriatic island of Dugi Otok on Sunday.

The 72-hour exercise, dubbed "Velebit 18 - Joint Force", is the main training event of the Croatian Armed Forces in 2018, involving about 5,500 active-service personnel and reservists as well as combat and non-combat equipment. Today's part of the drill included artillery firing and shooting at aerial targets.

The exercise started in Udbina on Saturday and will conclude on a training ground at Slunj on Monday.

Plenkovic watched the exercise from a coastal observation station on the island, accompanied by the Chief of the General Staff, General Mirko Sundov, the Croatian Navy Commander, Commodore Ivo Raffanelli, Defence Minister Damir Krsticevic, and representatives of the media.

Plenkovic praised all the participants for what they had demonstrated so far in this largest Croatian military operation since the end of the 1991-1995 Homeland War, saying that it showed high capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces, excellent preparation and very good organisation.

"I am confident that this operation will show that Croatia, in line with its national security strategy, is capable of effectively protecting its territory and contributing to international peace, and that the Croatian military is capable of supporting civilian operations and needs all year round," the prime minister said.

Text: Hina

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