Croatia Commemorates 30 Years Since Key War Victory with Grand Military Parade

Croatia celebrated 30 years since a pivotal war victory with a military parade in Zagreb. The event featured thousands of personnel and highlighted advancements in military technology as the country seeks to enhance its defence capabilities.

Thousands gathered in Croatia's capital to witness a military parade marking 30 years since a significant war victory. The event featured a flyover by French-made Rafale jets and included 3,400 army personnel, police units, emergency services, and war veterans. Simultaneously, navy battleships sailed by Split's Adriatic Sea port. This display comes as Croatia considers boosting its forces with a potential loan from a new European Union defence fund.

Croatia's Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic highlighted the country's transition from eastern to western technology. "We have passed a big process of transition from eastern to western technology in order to be compatible with the capabilities of those armies who are our partners and allies," he stated. Croatia joined the EU in 2013, following its NATO membership in 2009.

Operation Storm and Its Aftermath

In August 1995, Croatia regained territories held by minority Serbs since their 1991 rebellion against Croatia's independence from Yugoslavia. This offensive, known as Operation Storm, was pivotal in the war and led to a mass exodus of ethnic Serbs from Croatia. Tensions remain with Serbia, which supported the Serb rebellion during the 1990s.

Serbia plans to hold a commemoration for Serb victims of the offensive. Belgrade has advised Serbian citizens against visiting Croatia in early August. A military parade is also scheduled in Belgrade for September.

European Defence Initiatives

Croatia is among eighteen EU nations seeking funds from the bloc's program offering cheap loans to bolster European security. Plenkovic mentioned that Croatia might request 1.8 billion euros (USD 2 billion) from this fund. The Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, worth 150 billion euros (USD 173 billion), was initiated after the US indicated Europe is no longer its security priority.

Political analyst Zarko Puhovski commented on the parade's dual purpose: "It's just putting on a show, to put military equipment on display," he told The Associated Press. He believes it aims to garner support for increased defence spending amid European security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Some US allies in Europe fear President Vladimir Putin might target them if Russia prevails in Ukraine. Croatia's participation in the SAFE program aligns with broader European efforts to enhance regional security independently.

With inputs from PTI