ZAGREB, 12 March (Hina) – The cost of compulsory military service will amount to €20 million annually for the state, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić said on Wednesday in Knin, where he inspected local barracks that will be used for training future conscripts. He confirmed that everything is ready for the implementation of basic military training.
“After eight weeks of training, conscripts will have the knowledge and skills essential for military service, as well as the competencies needed to perform military duties within any military unit,” said Anušić, who visited two barracks in Knin.
He added that, upon completing their training, conscripts can directly apply for active military service, while those who choose not to will be assigned to the reserve forces.
The training will take place in Knin, Slunj and Požega, covering seven key areas, including the use of personal firearms, movement tactics and battlefield responses, communication, protection, military service, and physical fitness.
The minister announced that the law introducing compulsory military service should be adopted by 15 July, before the parliamentary session ends.
Anušić emphasised that the reserve component of the Croatian Armed Forces plays a crucial role in defending Croatia’s territorial integrity.
“The Croatian Armed Forces currently have 18,000 reservists available, which has been assessed as a sufficient number for defence needs. Our goal is to strengthen the reserve force through basic military training, and we expect an annual turnout of between 4,000 and 5,000 conscripts,” he said.
He pointed out that each generation of conscripts will cost the state around €4 million, with a total of five generations planned per year, amounting to €20 million annually.
Speaking about potential conscripts, Anušić noted that between 18,000 and 19,000 young men in Croatia reach adulthood each year.
The minister stressed that basic military training has proven to be an effective model for preparing soldiers and that the benefits conscripts will receive during training will serve as an additional motivation for participation.
“I am confident that the turnout will be significantly higher than the minimum of 5,000 per year because we are offering a two-month military training option instead of a longer period of civil service, which does not provide the same opportunities,” he said.
On situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
He also addressed the security situation in the region, particularly the planned actions of the Bosnian Serb authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I wouldn’t say we are afraid, but we are closely monitoring developments, given that around 350,000 Croats live in Bosnia and Herzegovina today. Croatia is also following political events in Serbia and Kosovo, and considering that the NATO Secretary General recently visited Sarajevo and sent clear messages, I believe that neither NATO nor the international community will allow the destabilisation of the region,” Anušić stated.
He added that Croatia must be prepared for all scenarios, even though he hopes escalation will not occur.
“Everyone said there wouldn’t be a war in Ukraine, yet for three years now, a bloody conflict has been raging there,” he warned, adding that Croatia must remain vigilant, as Bosnia and Herzegovina borders Croatia and is home to a significant Croatian population.
