Croatia continues to systematically strengthen its position within the European defence industry through stronger and more coordinated cooperation between institutions and the economy. A significant step in this direction has been achieved through the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia and the Alan Agency on the project “Modernization of the anti-tank mine.”
The agreement was signed on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, it was signed by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Defence, Ivan Anušić, while on behalf of the Alan Agency it was signed by the Chairman of the Management Board, Goran Basarac. This act further confirms strong institutional cooperation aimed at the development and efficient implementation of defence projects of strategic importance.
The signing ceremony took place as part of the EDF Info Days in Zagreb, an event dedicated to the opportunities provided by the European Defence Fund (EDF) a key financial instrument of the European Union for promoting competitiveness, innovation, and cooperation in the defence sector. Through such initiatives, Croatia is actively strengthening its position within the European defence ecosystem and creating preconditions for stronger involvement in international research and development projects as well as strategic value chains.
The focus of this year’s EDF Info Days was on connecting domestic companies, institutions, and international partners, as well as on concrete steps enabling project implementation. The signing of the agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the Alan Agency represents precisely such a step forward - the concretization of cooperation that contributes to the development of defence capabilities and the strengthening of national security.
The European Defence Fund provides a unique opportunity for Croatian companies to finance innovative projects, engage in international networking, and achieve long-term strategic positioning on the European market. In the period from 2021 to 2027, around 8 billion euros have been allocated for projects across more than 30 thematic areas, further emphasizing the importance of timely involvement and coordinated action by all relevant stakeholders.
The Croatian defence industry already demonstrates significant potential through the development of advanced technological solutions and competitiveness on the global market. Through such agreements and initiatives, cooperation between the public and private sectors is further strengthened.
EDF Info Days once again confirmed the importance of continuous dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the connection of industry, the scientific community, and institutions. This approach, combined with concrete projects such as the signed agreement, enables Croatia to fully exploit the opportunities offered by the European Defence Fund and further strengthen its competitiveness at the European level.