21.10.2018.

The - from the beginning until now

Presenting: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Damir Krstičević

THE BEGINNING OF THE HOMELAND WAR

27 years ago the citizens of fought for freedom in the Homeland War caused by Greater-Serbian aggression.

Almost 500.000 citizens of a country of 4.5 million defended the country against the Jugoslav People's Army

... every Croatian soldier had a very powerful weapon – the Holy Rosary.

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CASUALTIES IN THE HOMELAND WAR

At the end of the 20th century, in the heart of Europe, more than 15.000 people have died, one third of a country was occupied ...

In , the same conflict took more than 100.000 lives

THE LIBERATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

Military-po lice operation "Freeing the Sou th of Croatia" unblo cked the city of Dubrovnik an d freed the southern part of Croatia.

Operation “” in 1993 was a turning point of the Homeland war. North and south of the country were connected again.

In 1995, the military -police operation "Flash" was launched in western Slavonia. In less than 32 hours, Croatian forces liberated the region.

Th e crown of all victories in Ho meland war was the milit ary-police operation “Storm“ which liberated 18.4% of the overall territory of the Republic of Croatia.

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TRANSFORMATION OF THE CROATIAN ARMY

After the war, the Croatian army This year we have marked 15 years of participation in NATO mission in transformed from war-time into UN peace-time forces. Afghanistan. MISSION

Republic of Croatia became a NATO The Croatian army is also present in member in April 2009. WESTERN SAHARA MINURSO other NATO peace support activities: • eFP in Lithuania and Poland INDIA, PAKISTAN • KFOR mission in Kosovo UNMOGIP • operation Sea Guardian in the Mediterranean.

LIBANON UNIFIL

James N. Mattis: Croatia is a small country that fights above its weight.

NEW SECURITY CHALLENGES

Acquiring and reaching full operational capability of the Panzer Howitzers and equip ping the ar mour ed combat vehicle Patria with a gun and anti-ar mour guid ed missile system increases the mobility an d fire power of our Army.

The Croatian government made a decision to acquire multi-purpose fighter jets F-16 from Israel

Navy infantry will develop the capabilities of Croatian Navy.

“Veleb i t 18 – Joint Force“ is the most complex military exercise since Homeland war. Croatian Army has shown high level of readiness for independent action and execution of basic tasks.

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CROATIAN ARMY AS PART OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY SYSTEM

Based on the new National Security Strategy adopted in 2017 we have established a Homeland Security System where the Croatian Army is a kind of integrator.

In peacetime, helping the civilian institutions is the most important task of the Croatian Army.

Last year and this year, Croatia was faced with forest fires, snow storms an d floods. To g et h er with the other co mponents of the Homeland Security System, the Croatian Army has protected its people and prevented significant material damage.

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