List_of_equipment_of_the_Croatian_Army

List of equipment of the Croatian Army

List of equipment of the Croatian Army

Add article description


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

Infantry weapons

Handguns

More information Model, Image ...

Submachine guns

More information Model, Image ...

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.

More information Model, Image ...

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 are still in use to this day. Replacement by modern western counterparts in part was resisted by the army due to the cost and Croatia's large stockpile of 7.62mm calibre ammunition for the M84 machine gun. Replacing the M84 would have been an unnecessary cost when the country's army is undergoing a modernization effort and vital funds are needed elsewhere. However, the army has purchased a large number of western machine guns, including Ultimax 100, FN MAG and others. 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 looking to order between 500 and 1000 M249s and is talking to local manufacture HS Product in establishing long term production under licence from Belgian producer for Croatian and export needs. The army has purchased an undisclosed number of Heckler & Koch MG5 and MG4s, believed to be around 40-50 samples, with future requirements for at least 500 of these weapons.[17]

More information Model, Image ...

Precision rifles

More information Model, Image ...

Grenade launchers

More information Model, Image ...

Anti-tank weapons

Man portable anti-tank weapons

More information Model, Image ...

Vehicle mounted anti-tank weapons

More information Model, Image ...

Protection

Helmets

More information Model, Image ...

Vehicles

Tanks

More information Model, Image ...

Tracked vehicles

More information Model, Image ...

Wheeled armoured personnel vehicles

More information Model, Image ...

Combat engineering vehicles

More information Model, Image ...

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.[60] 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[61] 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.[18]

More information Model, Image ...
  • 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

More information Model, Image ...

Towed artillery

More information Model, Image ...

Self-propelled howitzers

More information Model, Image ...

Rocket artillery

More information Model, Image ...

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,[76][77][78][79] of which several are still operational Croatian Army has started to test domestically manufactured arial drones and UAV, .,[80][81] Army has tested noumber of domestically produced attack and surveillance drones with aim of purchasing large noumber of these.[82][83] 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.[84] Croatian Armed Forces Drone command was established at Pula airport and airbase [85] 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.[86][87]

More information Model, Image ...

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.[89]

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.

More information Model, Image ...

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.[102] 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 [103] 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.[104]

More information Model, Image ...

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

More information Model, Image ...

Military 4WD utility vehicles

Mercedes G4WD/Light utility vehicle/Military light utility vehicle Germany300~Standard utility vehicle of the Croatian Army, 250 units ordered in the 2000s, all delivered and in service. Further deliveries in 2015 and 2017, to replace the oldest vehicles in service.
Toyota Landcruiser4WD/Utility vehicles/Military light utility vehicle Japan80~150 ordered in 2008 and delivered in 2010, half went to other government departments, including the Ministry of the Interior. All are in good serviceable condition. It is the standard utility vehicle in service with the Croatian Army and other governmental agencies of Croatia.
Land Rover Wolf4WD/Military light utility vehicle United Kingdom32~Primarily used by the military police. Many transferred to the Croatian Border Police. Of the 200 ordered in 1998, only 32 remain in service with the armed forces. Some 120 were transferred to civilian use, many ending up with the Croatian Mountain Rescue Service.[135][136]

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.

More information Model, Image ...

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 short term is acquisition of 8 additional UH-60M helicopters valued at $273.8 million with Croatia paying $134.5 million of the total figure, [146]8 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 similar path. Allocated Budget for these is estimated at €550-570 million, delivery of medium range surface to air batteries are expected sometimes after 2025, but no later than 2030.

Croatia plans to replace 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 to accept what would have been swap exchange of soviet origin equipment for western systems. However, a pressure is mounting on Croatian Government to agree on some exchange for M84A4 tanks which can then be upgraded with additional armour and offered to Ukraine which is desperate for new tanks, especially T-72 systems. However 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. An exchange for 24 Leopard 2A4 is being negotiated with Germany [147] for Kuwaiti M84 Tanks which will be upgraded by Croatia, this would allow Croatia to operate at least one company of Leopard 2A4 tanks as an interim solution whilst it upgrades some 225 M84A4 tanks to M84A5 standard for Ukraine. Program would be financed by Germany entirely, Croatia would then in turn receive noumber of brand new Leopard 2A8 tanks at later data, perhaps around 2029-2030 timeframe and in meantime operate a small noumber of Leopard 2A4 tanks. [148][149]

Donation of large noumber of filed howitzers to Ukraine has left army with only several operational artillery battalions and depleted stock of 122 and 130mm ammunition. [150] [151][152]There is a Plan of replacing entire stock of soviet artillery systems by early 2030s includes acquisition of at least 36 to 58 wheeled 155mm 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 3 artillery battalions in active service, of which at least 1 battalion or 18 systems must be tracked armoured Self propelled howitzers.

The lighter systems that will be purchased in significant quantity are FGM-148 Javelin anti tank system. 22 launchers having been already 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'll 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 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 following few years. Stated requirement is for up to 720 operational systems + significant reserves.

More information Proposed/Potential Future Equipment ...

Equipment withdrawn from service or in storage


References

  1. "Modern Firearms - IM Metal HS 2000". world.guns.ru. Archived from the original on 8 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  2. "Potpisivanje Ugovora o nabavi vojnih odora i jurišnih pušaka za potrebe OS RH". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  3. "DUGOROČNI PLAN RAZVOJA ORUŽANIH SNAGA REPUBLIKE HRVATSKE 2006 – 2015" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-11-27. Retrieved 2014-01-27.
  4. "Image: hvu_konferencija_01042014_17.jpg, (1200 × 798 px)". morh.hr. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  5. "Special Operations Battalion (BSD)". ShadowSpear Special Operations. February 11, 2009.
  6. "File:HK 417 080810 44.jpg". 8 August 2010. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  7. "Hrvatska vlada donirala Maliju oružje vrijednosti milijun kuna". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  8. "Hrvatski Vojnik - Hrvatski Vojnik added a new photo". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  9. "Request Rejected" (PDF). www.morh.hr. Retrieved Nov 19, 2022.
  10. "streljačko oružje | Hrvatska tehnička enciklopedija". tehnika.lzmk.hr. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  11. "Hrvatski snajperi". Hrvatski vojnik (in Croatian). 2016-06-03. Retrieved 2019-12-09.
  12. "Image: 5b2eef04df_mimohod-b-tehnika-4_750x550.jpg, (750 × 550 px)". hrvatski-vojnik.hr. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  13. "Image: mimohod_0150.jpg, (1200 × 800 px)". osrh.hr. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  14. "Image: mimohod_0151.jpg, (1200 × 800 px)". osrh.hr. 5 August 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  15. Richard D (January 27, 2009), Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 (35 ed.), Jane's Information, ISBN 978-0-7106-2869-5.
  16. "Network Scan Data" (PDF). www.morh.hr. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  17. "Image: gadjanje_23082013_v.jpg, (1200 × 900 px)". morh.hr. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  18. "Expert Infantry Badge and Expert Soldier Badge training in Poland". www.europeafrica.army.mil. Retrieved Nov 19, 2022.
  19. "Šestan-Busch sinonim za vrhunsku kacigu". Hrvatski-vojnik. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
  20. U.S. Embassy in Zagreb (2023-12-03). "First Bradley M2A2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles Arrive in Croatia". Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  21. "Network Scan Data" (PDF). www.morh.hr. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  22. "Od Linićevih rezova OSRH spašavaju jedino američki saveznici". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  23. "Croatia displays new AFV fleets". Jane's Defence Weekly. 25 March 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  24. "HRT: HV-u predano 30 MRAP vozila - američka donacija". Hrvatska radiotelevizija. 7 April 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  25. "HRT: Emisije na zahtjev: Dnevnik: Dnevnik, 23.12.2014". Hrvatska radiotelevizija. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  26. "Zzpgod16.JPG (700x467 pixels)". img26.imageshack.us. Archived from the original on 22 April 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  27. "Balistička ispitivanja UbS-a". www.hrvatski-vojnik.hr. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  28. "Hrvatski vojnik - Internet izdanje". hrvatski-vojnik.hr. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  29. "Croatia donates M-46 field guns to Ukraine | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  30. "Vojnapovijest.vecernji.hr". Retrieved 2020-04-23.
  31. "Hrvatski vojnik - Internet izdanje". Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  32. "Croatia seeks PzH 2000 purchase". Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  33. "Gađanje SVLR M-92 Vulkan". Archived from the original on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
  34. "OSRH - Glavna". www.osrh.hr.
  35. kuzmanic. "Aero Navis". Aero Navis. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  36. "Planet IX – Dobrodošli u budućnost". planetix.eu. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  37. Drazen (2023-03-14). "Ministar Banožić nazočio testiranju modernih dronova kamikaza". MORH (in Croatian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  38. "Godišnje izvješće o obrani za 2018. godinu" [Annual Defense Report 2018] (PDF). www.morh.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  39. Drazen (2023-02-03). "Ministar Banožić s pripadnicima Obavještajne pukovnije". MORH (in Croatian). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  40. "TAKRAD – radijska zvijer za pregršt zadaća". Obrana i sigurnost. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  41. Valpolini, Paolo (2019-09-13). "► Rohde & Schwarz brings next generation SIGINT and counter-UAS solutions to DSEi". EDR Magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  42. "Rohde-Schwarz-SIGNAT-HVA hosted at ImgBB". ImgBB (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  43. "Rohde-Schwarz-SIGNAT-HVB hosted at ImgBB". ImgBB (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2023-04-06.
  44. "The magic of the Internet". Imgur. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  45. "The magic of the Internet". Imgur. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  46. "The magic of the Internet". Imgur. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  47. "The magic of the Internet". Imgur. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  48. "The magic of the Internet". Imgur. Retrieved 2022-03-17.
  49. "imgur.com". Imgur. Retrieved Nov 19, 2022.
  50. "Astra Medium utility vehicle, cab forward". www.mycity-military.com. Archived from the original on 8 August 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  51. "MORH traži hitan remont 27 njemačkih kamiona LkW MAN 5t MIL GL 4x4". Archived from the original on 24 December 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2014.
  52. "Image: grrc129sbd300w4elo6x.jpg, (2048 × 1158 px)". zaslike.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  53. "Image: iuqj30g7ugwu7vagb1vw.jpg, (2048 × 1158 px)". zaslike.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  54. "Godišnje izvješće o obrani za 2015" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  55. "Archived copy". i49.tinypic.com. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  56. "Archived copy". i.imgur.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  57. "Archived copy". www.mycity-military.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  58. "Archived copy". i54.tinypic.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article List_of_equipment_of_the_Croatian_Army, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.