Zagreb, 4 September 2026 (Hina/MIA) - Croatia's government approved Friday a package of additional investment in the Croatian Army's weaponry, modernisation and equipment, with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stressing that the aim was not to threaten anyone but to deter any threat.

Plenković said the decision was prompted by the most serious security threats facing Europe and the world in decades. Russia's aggression against Ukraine had shown the importance of long-range precision strike capabilities, modern air defence, quality intelligence and secure communications, he said. He also recalled NATO allies' commitment to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence and security and another 1.5% on related investment by 2035.

Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said the government was carrying out a "historic modernisation and equipping" of the Croatian Army as a direct investment in citizens' security and in support of NATO objectives and capabilities.

Croatia to buy 18 Chunmoo rocket launchers

The government approved the purchase of 18 South Korean K239 Chunmoo multiple rocket launchers, along with associated equipment and systems, to replace the outdated Vulkan and BM-21 Grad systems and develop long-range precision and mass-fire capabilities.

Plenković said the Chunmoo's ability to fire two different types of rockets from the same launcher gave it considerable flexibility, firepower and a very short response time. He described the €544.1 million purchase, including VAT, as one of the largest and most important investments in Army modernisation since the 1991–95 Homeland War, after the Rafale purchase. The Chunmoo and HIMARS systems would be complementary, he said.

The procurement, to be carried out from 2026 to 2029, will involve South Korean company Hanwha Aerospace and Poland's WB Electronics. Hanwha will supply the launchers, rocket ammunition and associated equipment, while WB Electronics will provide the command-and-control system linking the components into a single operational unit.

Anušić said Poland, Estonia and Norway were increasingly opting for the Chunmoo because of its relatively short 24–36-month delivery time, availability, lower price and openness to industrial cooperation.

Rafale upgrades, anti-tank weapons and equipment

The government also approved €112.224m including VAT to equip Croatia's Rafale fighter jets with additional detection and self-protection capabilities, upgrading them from the F3R to the F4 standard. The equipment will be installed from 2026 to 2032.

The Croatian Air Force's combat communications system will also be upgraded at a cost of €41.1m from 2026 to 2030. The tender was won by a consortium of French company Thales and Zagreb-based Odašiljači i veze.

The Defence Ministry was also authorised to purchase iCLU ground-launched firing posts for SPIKE LR2 anti-tank guided missiles and SPIKE SR missiles from the sole bidder, Germany's EuroSpike. The purchase is valued at €13.899m including VAT, with €3m to be paid in advance in 2026 and the remaining €10.899m in 2029.