Largest Military Investment in Croatian: Country to Acquire Bayraktar Drones for $67 million, Leopards and HIMARS
The Croatian Ministry of Defence has signed a contract for the purchase of the Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicle system with the Turkish company Baykar Makina San. Ve Tic. AS, worth €67 million excluding VAT. At the conclusion of the agreement at the end of last week, it was noted that this is one of the best modern border control systems, writes
The contract was signed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić and the Turkish company's CEO Haluk Bayraktar.
The contract is a continuation of the modernisation and strengthening of the Croatian army and security, Anušić said, adding that it is a much-needed system that, in addition to combat operations, can control illegal migration and can also be used by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Spatial Planning.
Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of the Turkish company, described the cooperation as a historic event. ‘Our countries share friendship and strengthen cooperation dedicated to peace and security,’ he added.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić stressed that the ‘largest ever investment in the Croatian army’ is underway, which began with the purchase of multirole combat aircraft and continues with the purchase of Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicles, state-of-the-art Leopard 2 A8 tanks, and powerful HIMARS missile systems. Anušić noted that until April next year, one Rafale aircraft will arrive in Croatia every month. Thus, at the end of April 2025, Croatia will have all 12 Rafale aircraft, a complete squadron.
The equipping and modernisation of the Croatian army, carried out by the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Defence, strengthens the capabilities of the Croatian army, as well as the national security of Croatia, he stressed.
