"Today the Croatian army is prepared and capable at any moment and under any conditions of responding to all the challenges and threats and of protecting national security," Plenkovic said on the occasion of marking Croatian Armed Forces Day.
He expressed his satisfaction with the fact that Croatia's servicemen around the world are achieving brilliant success at international military exercises and missions.
The premier expressed deep gratitude to and respect for all war veterans, those who went missing in the Homeland War and those who were killed and wounded and to their families for everything they did for Croatia and once again added special reverence to five young service members who lost their lives recently.
Noting that one of the basic parameters that define today's modern armed forces is the sophisticated equipment they use, Plenkovic underscored that today Croatia's soldier is entirely equipped with products manufactured in the Croatian defence industry.
He said that his government invested a lot of effort as well as funding so that all branches of the Croatian Armed Forces can develop equally. He mentioned the construction of a coast guard ship, procuring Back Hawk fighter helicopters, the Patria armoured vehicles and the procurement of modern drones and the like.
"When speaking about planned activities by my government in the area of defence and security, we have fulfilled all the set targets. The procurement of fighter jets remains," he said.
He recalled that his government had increased the defence budget after it had decreased or stagnated for six years.
President Milanovic receives Main Staff reps
President and Croatian Armed Forces Supreme Commander Zoran Milanovic on Wednesday met with the army's main staff ahead of Croatian Armed Forces Day, the president's office informed in a press release.
Croatian Armed Forces Day is marked on May 28 in memory of the first parade of the army's predecessor, the National Guard which was held on 28 May 1991 in Zagreb's stadium in Kranjceviceva Street. This was the first official parade of armed forces before the then president Franjo Tudjman, which was seen as the act ushering in the establishment of the Armed Forces. About 800 soldiers and police officers participated in the military parade on that occasion as well as honorary guards and the Sinj Alka society.
Text: Hina