- by croatiaweek
- October 1, 2025
-
in
News
(Photo: MORH)
Excellent cooperation between the Croatian and British armed forces was showcased today at the international military exercise Sava Star 25, held at the “Gašinci” training ground in Gašinci.
During the exercise, Croatian and British troops carried out a coordinated operation to take enemy positions, highlighting joint capability and interoperability.
The demonstration was attended by Croatia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Ivan Anušić, Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, General Tihomir Kundid, and the UK Ambassador to Croatia, Javed Patel.
(Photo: MORH)
Minister Anušić stressed the importance of the drill for strengthening bilateral defence relations.
(Photo: MORH)
“By participating in the international military exercise Sava Star, the armed forces of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Croatia are showing their knowledge and capabilities. I want to emphasise that Croatia, especially the Ministry of Defence, wants to strengthen and reinforce ties and cooperation with the United Kingdom. In today’s global situation, the UK clearly supports Croatia’s policy, and Croatia supports the policy of the United Kingdom,” he said.
(Photo: MORH)
He added that discussions with Ambassador Patel focused on the need to enhance communication, projects and cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces.
(Photo: MORH)
General Kundid explained that the exercise saw the formation of a joint multinational battalion-level unit with a multinational command.
(Photo: MORH)
“This exercise demonstrated the unified action of the Croatian and British armed forces. The aim of such drills is to harmonise procedures so that forces can carry out joint manoeuvre operations,” said General Kundid.
(Photo: MORH)
Ambassador Patel praised the cooperation and the significance of the exercise in today’s security environment.
“Strengthening the partnership between the United Kingdom and Croatia in defence is one of my key priorities. This exercise is an important part of our cooperation, and I believe that such drills, given the challenging security situation, are extremely important for timely responses to potential threats,” he said.
(Photo: MORH)
UK Defence Attaché in Croatia, Andrew Higgs, also expressed satisfaction with the joint work demonstrated during the exercise.
Sava Star 25 has been taking place at the Gašinci training ground from 18 September to 5 October 2025. A total of 120 members of the Croatian Armed Forces and 80 members of the UK Armed Forces are participating.
(Photo: MORH)
(Photo: MORH)
The international exercise, first held in 2013, is part of the ongoing bilateral military cooperation between Croatia and the United Kingdom. Its primary goal is to improve interoperability, both technical and procedural, with a focus on testing and standardising tactics against modern threats.
(Photo: MORH)
