Croatia, 2.7 billion euros for defense - Prime Minister Plenkovic: The budget has increased 5-fold compared to 2016
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has announced that the country's defense budget will increase, as the European Union faces pressure to strengthen its military capabilities.
Croatia currently spends more than 2% of its Gross Domestic Product on defense, a figure above the NATO standard.
The Croatian prime minister noted that when he came to power in 2016, the defense budget was around 540 million euros. "Our plan by 2027 is for that number to be five times higher," he said. That would mean an increase in spending to around 2.7 billion euros.
Plenkovic outlined ongoing improvements in the defense sector. According to him, old MIG fighter jets are being replaced with French Rafales, Leopard tanks and HIMARS missile systems will become part of the arsenal, and the navy is expected to be renovated. "We want to have a strong Croatian army in the changed strategic circumstances," he said.
"Croatia will continue on the path we are currently taking, so that everything we invest strengthens strategic autonomy at the European level, as well as gives us completely new capabilities for interaction with our NATO allies and partners in the EU," the Croatian leader emphasized.
During a meeting with representatives of the European Parliament, talks also touched on the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework, where the need for a simpler and more focused budget, in line with strategic priorities, was highlighted.
Official sources at the European Parliament called Croatia's commitment to European integration "inspiring," while warning that Europe must act quickly or risk falling behind. "We either move forward together or lose ground," they stressed.
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