List of equipment of the Croatian Army

This is a list of equipment in use by the Croatian Army.

Infantry weapons

Handguns

Submachine guns

Assault rifles

HS Produkt VHS2 is a domestically produced assault rifle that has become a mainstay of the Croatian Army, having replaced the Zastava M70 in its entirety. Currently some 25000 VHS-2 rifles are in service with the armed forces, and 7800 older VHS rifles have been relegated to reserve and training units. The army also has a number of various NATO manufactured assault rifles including the FN F2000, Heckler & Koch G36, Heckler & Koch HK416, Colt M4 to name few.

Machine guns

The Croatian Army inherited a vast quantity of Yugoslav era weapons, including a massive quantity of small arms. Among these, some 1400 M84 Yugoslav made 7.62 machine guns and 6000 M77 light machine guns which were in use up to late 2022. Replacement of M84 machine gun was planned since Croatia joined NATO but due to cost of replacing large quantity of these machineguns, it was postponed till recently. The Croatian Army recently held an international competition for a light machine gun replacement and the FN M249 was chosen as the best option with the army as platoon support weapon in 7.62mm calibre and FN Minimi 5.56mm calibre was chosen as main squad support weapon. The army has purchased an undisclosed number of Heckler & Koch MG5 and MG4s, believed to be around 20-30 samples of these weapons.

Precision rifles

Grenade launchers

Anti-tank weapons

Man portable anti-tank weapons

Vehicle mounted anti-tank weapons

Protection

Helmets

Vehicles

Tanks

Tracked vehicles

During the Croatian Homeland War for independence from what was Yugoslavia, The Croatian Army captured large stock of heavy ex-Yugoslav military equipment this also included 128 M80A Infantry Fighting Vehicles developed in late 70s. In 2000s, of 128 serviceable M80A vehicles, 95 vehicles were deployed in to two mechanised infantry battalions, with 44 vehicles per battalion; further seven vehicles were used for driver and familiarization training. With Croatian accession in to NATO in 2009, M80A vehicles were deemed incompatible for the modern integrated battlefield, and further upgrades were deemed unfeasible due to lack of spares and poor performance of M80A vehicle. In 2022, Croatia agreed purchase of 89 M2a2 ODS Bradley vehicles. 62 Bradley M2 Vehicles will be deployed with a single mechanised battalion and further 22 Bradley vehicles will act as spares for operational Bradley vehicles. It is not clear if Croatia will order further Bradley vehicles or Army will try to secure entirely new infantry fighting vehicles in form or latest CV-90. As things stand, Army will have 2 Mechanised infantry battalions armed with M80A and a single battalion armed with Bradley M2A2 ODS. It is not clear if M2A2 ODS will be upgraded to improved version such as M2A4, if Army continues to rely on current version, M2A2 ODS, that indicates that Army plans to use Bradley as a stop gap measure and there are plans to purchase entirely new Infantry Fighting vehicle in form of CV-90 or something similar.

Wheeled armoured personnel vehicles

Combat engineering vehicles

Anti-aircraft warfare

The Croatian Army is heavily reliant on short range air defence systems such as the Strijela - 10CROA1, which although modernized offers only limited surface to air cover inadequate to deal with modern threats of UAV attack drones and other threats. The Army short-term plan includes purchase of short and medium range surface to air missile batteries. Initially plan was to look at NASAMSIII/ER, Mica VL/NG and SPYDER as likely contenders however Mica VL/NG was chosen, most likely due to the Croatian Air Force purchase of Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft. The Croatian Army plans to acquire up to 4 surface to air batteries batteries in a deal worth around €500 million. The short range system also being french in this case Mistral, with Mica VL providing medium range air defence. Both systems will enter service in 2024 and 2026. Croatia has opted for purchase of the new Mica VL/NG missiles, with an extended range to over 50 km, when they become available, Croatia has a requirements for at least 4 medium range surface to air batteries or 24 launchers with up to 144 missiles. Long range air defence is yet to be decided on, however with recent purchase of Mistral ER and very likely Mica VL NG, it wouldn't be unusual if Croatia opted for Aster SAMP/T NG long range air defence systems when it becomes available, however any purchase of such air defence system would happen in late 2020s.

• Although Croatia had acquired the S-300PMU-1 long-range surface-to-air missile system from Ukraine in 1994, and demonstrated some of the systems parts on the 1995 military parade held in Zagreb, it is believed that the system was never fully completed and operational although the training of crews was held as late as 1998. Some sources claim that the weapon was subsequently handed-over to the United States or Israel in 2002–2004. However, officials still claim that the system is still stored somewhere in Croatia and the exact fate of the system is to this day classified.

Artillery

Mortars

Towed artillery

Self-propelled howitzers

Rocket artillery

Unmanned aerial vehicles

With formation of Objavestajna Pukovnija (Signals Intelligence & Electronic Warfare) in 2019 Croatian Army has amalgamated all relevant signal and electronic communication and electronic warfare units under one umbrella of Signals Intelligence & Electronic Warfare regiment, with this SIGNAT/EW regiment inherited what limited resources Croatian army has, which includes noumber of Israeli made Skylark, Orbiter 3b and domestically produced Bojnik UAV, of which several are still operational Croatian Army has started to test domestically manufactured arial drones and UAV, ., Army has tested noumber of domestically produced attack and surveillance drones with aim of purchasing large noumber of these. There are 4-5 local manufacturers who are capable of making advanced drones, very likely they'll play important role in supplying Croatian army with a new drones and uavs. However, an order for additional 6-7 orbiter 3b UAVs has been made as an interim solution.

Currently Army operates noumber of DJI Inspire and DJI MAvic 2, deployed along battalion and Company level, units, with estimated 20-30 or so tiny drones that aren't really designed for military operations. Croatian Armed Forces Drone command was established at Pula airport and airbase which up to 2020 was used primarily for Tourist arrivals. Croatian Army started to test locally developed loitering munition of yet unknown Croatian producer, but Croatia has many decades of experience in manufacturing unmanned drones and locally there are at least half a dozen manufacturers with the technology and know-how. A noumber of AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma unmanned aerial drones were purchased from US as an interim solution. Army plans to introduce noumber of domestically produced drones which are still under development or in a testing phase.

Army Radars, Communications and Reconnaissance Equipment

Croatian Army inherited large stock of Yugoslav communication and reconnaissance equipment mostly through capture during the war of Croatian independence in early 1990s. Modernization of communication, data network and reconnaissance vehicles and equipment started only after 2010 with purchase of large noumber of communication and secure data sets from United States, the UK and France. Donations of data network by US in particular helped Croatian Army's to equip most of its combat and support units with latest NATO standard equipment but also enabled Army to integrate link 16 data sharing network with most of its assets, however this does not include older equipment that is scheduled for retirement in next few years. Army' hopes to integrate all its assets and be able to share data when needed on the battlefield with all NATO partners therefore be fully integrate into NATO's defence structure.

Army currently uses mix of US, UK and French communication equipment provided by 3 major defence suppliers, Thales, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Harris L3Harris Technologies.

Army Medical Equipment

Croatian Army is currently equipped with an army field hospital but hospital isn't suitable for major emergency operations and lacks ability to operate in combat theatre supporting army when required. However Army has purchased large field hospital from US for $6.07 million in 2021. Role 2B military field hospital is designed to provide emergency care in combat theatre of operations. Army has requirement for at least 2 Role 2B field hospitals which are designed to provide support for standard NATO Brigade size formations or between 4000 and 7000 personnel in a theatre of combat operations. Currently Army plans to equip one field Role 2B hospital and expand it as per requirements. Army has already purchased number of medical vehicles and is negotiating noumber of helicopters to compliment this branch of Croatian Army.

Army Logistics, Military trucks and Multi-use vehicles

The Croatian Army inherited a vast stock of trucks, four wheel drive, various transport and utility vehicles during the Croatian War of Independence and the Battle of the Barracks, at least 250 FAP trucks, 650 TAM trucks and a number of Soviet trucks such as ZiL, Ural or Maz were captured and put into military service. Many of these vehicles are still in service with the Croatian Army, even though some are over 40 years old. Torpedo 4x4 trucks, light 2.5T trucks were built in large quantities. Some 80 samples entered service with the Army in early 1990s. However, with Croatia joining NATO the Croatian Army started looking into acquiring western types of trucks including MAN TG Mill, Iveco 5T Transport Truck, Mercedes trucks among others. However, due to the shortage of funds, delivery of new logistic and tactical trucks is somewhat lacking. In the past decade the Croatian Army started to renew its logistic and tactical truck fleet sporadically with purchases or donations of smaller quantities of new trucks. The Croatian Army stated the requirement of 1250 tactical/logistic trucks as the current desired goal.

Logistic Vehicles and Military trucks

Military 4WD utility vehicles

Civilian multi-use trucks and utility vehicles

The Croatian Army relies heavily on the stock of old trucks and supply vehicles. Some were bought brand new but the majority were captured from the Yugoslav Army barracks during the Croatian War of Independence. Slowly, this old equipment is being replaced, however due to the shortage of funds logistics formations within the Croatian Army are the last to get modern vehicles. In the long-term the Croatian Army plans to the reduce number of vehicle types in service down to only 3 manufactures: MAN, Mercedes and Iveco. Currently over a dozen of different manufactures of vehicle types are in service creating costly maintenance issues.

Proposed purchases (future)

Croatian armed forces due to ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has accelerated some acquisition plans that were intended for medium- to long-term purchases. One of the biggest procurement programs in the short term is acquisition of eight additional UH-60M helicopters valued at $273.8 million, with Croatia paying $134.5 million of the total figure; eight new helicopters should join the Air force by end of 2028. There is a short-term plan to introduce four medium-range surface-to-air batteries by 2028, MICA VL NG is mentioned as preferred system due to compatibility with introduction of Rafale fighters in to Croatian Air Force, but several other options are being looked at as well, Norwegian NASAMS3 system and IRIS-T SLM, As neighbouring Slovenia purchased two batteries of IRIS-T SLM, Croatia could follow a similar path. Allocated budget for these is estimated at €550–570 million, delivery of medium-range surface-to-air batteries are expected sometime after 2025, but no later than 2030.

Croatian Air Force – Plan to attain Medium to Long Range Air Defence System at some point in next 4 years. Croatian Defence Minister clarified, the procurement of long range air defence and surface to surface rocket systems are priority for incoming government as country lacks adequate air defence cover. Croatian PM also expressed opinion in this regard but also added that priorities are short to medium range systems, 3 defence manufacturers are being considered. Long range system very likely to be either EU/French based on Aster SAMP/T system utilizing Aster 30 rockets which have range of 150-175km in its latest derivative, or US based MIM-104 Patriot systems that are of similar range but more expensive system.

Croatia plans to replace the M-84A4 Main battle tank, but due to unfavourable financial situation prior to Russian invasion of Ukraine, decision on new tanks was always delayed. Croatia didn't jump on a bandwagon of other central European nations of replacing M-84A4 tanks with Leopard 2A4 when offered by Germany in exchange for donation to Ukraine mostly due to he fact that M-84A4 offers same capability as Leopard 2A4, in terms of optics, electronic equipment and sensors, giving Croatia no advantage. M-84A4 is equipped with modern communication system, advanced western built sensors and day night optics offering superior capability to most T-72 tanks, however tank lacks additional armoured protection. Upgrading these tanks to M84A5 standard and donating these to Ukraine is a strong possibility, however before that option can be even considered Croatia would need to secure replacement western tanks. Pressure from western NATO allies has been mounting on Croatia to consider this option, an interim solution would be to acquire a company or two, approximately 28–30 tanks from one of the western allies, with offer of Leopard 2 and Leclerc likely options. Said deal would be done in total secret as Croatian government has tendencies never to announce any donations to Ukraine, until Croatian origin equipment is actually seen on the Ukrainian battlefield.

Donation of large number of filed howitzers to Ukraine has left army with only several operational artillery battalions and depleted stock of 122 and 130 mm ammunition. There is a pan of replacing entire stock of Soviet artillery systems by early 2030s, which includes acquisition of at least 36 to 58 wheeled 155 mm self-propelled artillery systems, French Cesar being most likely contender, additionally, further up to 12 PzH 2000 systems will be acquired to supplement existing stock of Panzerhaubitze howitzers and to complete at least single artillery battalion. Croatia needs to maintain at least three artillery battalions in active service, of which at least one battalion or 18 systems must be tracked armoured self-propelled howitzers. Croatia has joined French acquisition of Ceasar Artillery Systems. Croatia has requirement for at least 54+6 Systems, a common purchase with the French Army will lead to lower cost of the total purchase and long term logistics costs.

The lighter systems that will be purchased in significant quantity are FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank system. Twenty-two launchers have already been acquired with the associate equipment with the requirement for at least 48 systems per battalion and as there are 7 battalions, Croatia needs roughly 336 systems; however, this is a long-term requirement and not entirely certain it will be entirely based on Javelin system; there might be a mix of systems in play. Croatia agreed purchase of 600 |RGW90 systems from Germany; however, the country's Ministry of Defence plans to phase out current ex-Soviet and ex-Yugoslav systems by the end of this decade, meaning a substantial order of these systems might be made in the following few years. Stated requirement is for up to 720 operational systems and significant reserves. Domestic drone production has been initiated in the wake of Russian invasion of Ukraine, a noumber of domestic copanies are involved and noumber os systems have been purchased from various domestic manufacturers. Croatian Army plans to purchase large quantity of domestic drones SPV-MRM-2-Interceptor drones that are currently being tested in Ukraine by Ukrainian Army, but also, noumber of US made light AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma UAV drones were purchased as an interim solluition.

May 6, 2024. As part of the military cooperation between the navies of France and Croatia, the French Navy's supply ship Jacques Chevallie is in Split for a five-day visit. The Croatian Defense Minister received the ship's senior officers in Split on Monday, where he announced plans to bolster the Croatian Navy with a new corvette-class warship.

Defence Minister of Croatia gave an interview to the local TV channel, revealing some of the important strategic procurement plans for current newly elected government, which includes purchase long range surface to air and surface to surface rocket systems, without disclosing which systems are in question it is suggested Franco/Italian Aster SMPT system might be most likely system and for surface to surface US made M142 HIMARS MLRS system.

Equipment withdrawn from service or in storage

• FN FAL - 7.62×51mm, 5,000 stored to be sold off, some still in use by the Ministry of Interior.
• Zastava M84 - 7.62×54mmR, totally phased out and replaced by western systems.
• Zastava M76 - 7.92×57mm sniper rifle, phased out entirely. Replaced by Remington and Sako in service within the Croatian Army.
• M80 "Zolja" RPG - phased out due to dwindling stock, replaced by AT4
• RPG-7 - system retired but some might be used by army reserve and for training purposes only.
• RPG-22 - system replaced by AT4 and other RPGs currently in use with the Army.
• BRDM-2 - in the local army museum
• BTR-60 - 2 in the local army museum.
• M60P/M60SAN - Yugoslav-made APCs, two are in the local army museum.
• MT-LB - 2 in local museum, the rest were scrapped and replaced by Patria AMV.
• M-47 Patton - 2 in the local army museum and rest are used for target practice.
• T-55A - Withdrawal of over 280 units started in 2006 with a dozen or so tanks used for training until late 2009, that is no longer the case due to the shortage of funds and all units have now been withdrawn and are awaiting disposal.
• M-63 Plamen - 128mm towed MRL, retired due to lack of ammunition and costly upkeep, no spare parts for the system.
• M-94 'Plamen S - 128mm MRL, no longer fit for purpose, retired and awaiting disposal.
• M-87 Orkan - 260mm MRL, captured during Battle of the Barracks in 1991. Systems are kept in reserve status due to lack of proper ammunition.
• ZSU-57-2 - used as target practice.
• M53/59 Praga - 2 in the local army museum.

References

1. List of military equipment of NATO
2. List of modern equipment of the German Army
3. List of equipment of the Army of North Macedonia
4. List of equipment of the Singapore Army
5. List of equipment of the Indonesian Army
6. List of equipment of the Irish Army
7. List of equipment of the Egyptian Army
8. List of equipment of the Saudi Arabian Army
9. Croatian Army
10. Lists of currently active military equipment by country
11. List of equipment of the Armed Forces of Croatia
12. List of equipment of the Malaysian Army
13. List of current equipment of the Iraqi Ground Forces
14. List of equipment of the Lithuanian Armed Forces
15. List of equipment of the Turkish Land Forces
16. List of equipment of the Syrian Army
17. Lists of World War II military equipment
18. List of equipment of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina
19. List of equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
20. List of equipment of the Indonesian Navy