ZAGREB, 18 Sept (Hina) – Speaking about strengthening the defence forces in parliament during Question Time, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said on Wednesday that this government began the process in 2016 and that the budget for the Armed Forces has increased by 122%.

“We have received the first six Rafale fighter jets, we are in the phase of acquiring Black Hawks, repairing Bradley fighting vehicles, in the process of acquiring Caesar 155 mm howitzers, and we are negotiating the outfitting of the Armed Forces with modern Western tanks,” he said.

Negotiations are also under way for the procurement of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), and the contract with the U.S. is expected to be signed by the end of this year, he announced.

“This is an extremely modern and effective system with significant destructive power. The estimated price was around $390 million, but the agreed price for the delivery of eight systems is $287 million. We expect delivery very soon. The security architecture today is compromised, and the only solution is to be prepared to protect our borders and our people.”