Croatia considering reintroducing compulsory military service

Croatian army soldier (Photo credit: U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Elizabeth O. Bryson | Credit: Battle Group Poland/ Public domain)

The Croatian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that it will soon propose mandatory basic military training to be conducted after high school. 

The training is expected to last for a month, but the practical implementation date remains uncertain.

Taking into account the demographic aspect in Croatia is crucial, with the number of newborns drastically falling over the last 50 years. 

During the commemoration of the 31st anniversary of Operation Maslenica today, Defence Minister Ivan Anušić addressed the introduction of military training in Croatia, reported N1.

“Maslenica was one of the larger and more significant actions in the Homeland War, connecting the south with the rest of Croatia,” Minister Anušić said about the Maslenica action, before touching upon the reintroduction of compulsory military service.

“When we talk about military service, it was suspended in 2008. After so many years without continuity in military service, this is not a question that can be answered off the cuff. It is a very serious topic that requires operational, financial, infrastructural, and political consensus. We are moving in that direction. When the experts decide on the best way to reintroduce military training, we will present it to the public,” he stated.

In conclusion, he emphasised, “When discussing military training, it should never become a political issue. In the sense that political parties introduce or do not introduce military service from one election to another. The geopolitical situation around Croatia and worldwide requires political consensus on this issue.”

This proposed mandatory military training initiative reflects not only the need for national security but also a careful consideration of Croatia’s demographic challenges and the ever-evolving global geopolitical landscape.