ZAGREB --- The Defense Committee of the Croatian Parliament at its 32nd session, held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, gave a positive opinion on the projects of equipping the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, namely the acquisition of SPIKE LR long-range anti-armor guided missiles, the acquisition of additional armored combat vehicles - BOV Patria CRO, the procurement of RIB boats for maritime operations, the modernization of the AN/FPS-117 radar system and the upgrade of the HRZ combat communication system.
Defense Minister Mario Banožić expressed his satisfaction because the members of the Defense Committee of the Croatian Parliament gave a positive opinion on the equipment and modernization projects. Under Croatian law, the committee is required to approve all procurement projects whose cost exceeds 5 million euros.
"After a decade of not investing in the Croatian Army, the Government headed by Andrej Plenković continuously invests in equipment and modernization. Four important projects of equipping the Croatian Army with modern equipment were presented to the Parliamentary Defense Committee," said the Minister of Defense.
"It concerns the procurement of SPIKE LR anti-armor guided missile systems, which will ensure the ability to destroy armored vehicles in all weather conditions, at distances exceeding 3,000 meters. The SPIKE LR anti-armor guided missile system is integrated on the Patria CRO armored combat vehicle. The acquisition of additional Patria vehicles is the second project that was presented to the Defense Committee," said Minister Banožić.
Also, the minister explained that it is planned to acquire an additional 30 Patria vehicles. The continuation of equipping both Patria vehicles and the SPIKE system is important in order to achieve full operational capability for anti-armor combat and to achieve NATO Capability Objectives.
"The third project is the RIB boats that are a donation from the USA, and they will equip the Special Forces Command. These boats will contribute to the implementation of maritime operations at the tactical level and to achieving the requirements of the Deployable Capability of Special Forces", said the Minister of Defense.
Minister Banožić singled out the FPS 117 radar system modernization project and the HRZ combat communication system upgrade as the fourth extremely important project.
"This is precisely one of the priorities of equipping and modernizing HRZ in order to develop the key capabilities of airspace surveillance and command. The FPS-117 long-range automated radar system for early detection and surveillance of aerial targets was put into full operational use in 2008. Modernization of the radar will achieve greater operational control and management including combat identification capabilities and crypto protection of data transmission. While the upgrade of the combat communication system will enable the integration of tactical data connections, which will ensure the exchange and reception of information from national and NATO networks in real time. The modernization of the radar should be finished by 2025," Minister Banožić explained.
"All the projects I mentioned are extremely important for the Croatian Army and for the achievement and implementation of NATO capability goals, which is our obligation as responsible members of the alliance," Minister of Defense Banožić said at the end.
The financial means for all the aforementioned procurement are planned in the State Budget at the Ministry of Defence.
The Law on Defense stipulates that the Defense Committee of the Croatian Parliament gives an opinion to the Ministry of Defense on procurement for defense needs for values greater than EUR 5,000,000 before starting the public procurement procedure.
Namely, the equipment is carried out based on the request of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Admiral Robert Hranj, attended the session of the Parliamentary Defense Committee.
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