At a ceremony on Tuesday, January 14, at the 132nd Brigade’s Barracks in Našice, Croatia, that was also attended by Croatian Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, U.S. Ambassador Nathalie Rayes praised the arrival of Bradley Fighting Vehicles for the Croatian Armed Forces and mentioned the new $390 million acquisition of High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS).
Ambassador Rayes noted in her remarks in Našice: “The approval by the U.S. State Department of the HIMARS and GMLRS sale to Croatia and the arrival of Bradleys marks a new era in our strategic alliance with Croatia. It also underlines the Republic’s commitment in meeting its NATO defense investment pledge of 2% of GDP this year. This is a testament to Croatia’s resolve to stand as a trusted and capable NATO ally. This investment is not just about meeting a requirement, it is about ensuring the security of Croatia’s citizens, the strength of the transatlantic community, and the defense of the values we uphold: freedom, democracy, and peace.”
At this Našice event, Defense Minister Anušić emphasized that this year the Republic of Croatia will reach the amount of two percent of GDP allocation for defense, which is the obligation the Republic of Croatia assumed as a member of NATO. The Minister pointed out that the Government of the Republic of Croatia will continue to create better conditions for members of the Croatian Armed Forces (CAF) and the system as a whole. It was mentioned that the cooperation between the CAF and the Government of the Republic of Croatia with the U.S. Embassy is essential for the realization of the procurement of Bradley Fighting Vehicles, Black Hawk helicopters, and the HIMARS missile system.
The National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation’s (NFCACF) President Steve Rukavina also praised this notable progress in Croatia’s growing bilateral defensive relationship with the U.S. and the Republic’s enhanced multilateral commitments to the Western alliance’s protective and deterrent capabilities embodied and required overall within the NATO Alliance.
Mr. Rukavina commended Ambassador Rayes for her remarks in Našice and added: “This bilateral announcementis another sign of the unbreakable NATO bond between the Republic of Croatia and the United States. In addition, the NFCACFwishes to salute all the dedicated American and Croatian diplomats and military officials who were associated with all the projects in motion which constitute the growing developments of security and military equipment which further strengthens the Republic of Croatia and the NATO alliance.”
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