ZAGREB, November 15, 2019 – The “Croatian War Veterans of Istria” military barracks was inaugurated in Pula on Friday, with President and Armed Forces Supreme Commander Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović saying it marked the end of the army’s return to the cities with special significance in Croatia’s military tradition, notably the Homeland War.
It was a strategic mistake in terms of security, development and politics to remove the army from Vukovar, Sinj, Varaždin, Ploče and Pula, Grabar-Kitarović said, adding that she had pushed for a balanced deployment of the army around the country from the beginning of her term.
The army’s return to Pula will not mean only greater security for the city, Istria County and Croatia but also stimulate the economy and other aspects of life, she said, adding that the people trusted the army because it came from the people, living with and serving it.
During the Homeland War, the people of Istria joined the Croatian army in the highest number, which is the best evidence of their patriotism, cultivated for centuries by the Croatian people of Istria, Grabar-Kitarović said.
Returning to Istria, the Croatian army is bringing its most advanced technology, she said.
By establishing the Unmanned Aircraft System Headquarters and basing it in Pula, we continue to modernise our defence capabilities and give highly educated persons the possibility of a military career, she added.
That confirms that the outlays for the modernisation of the army are not just a state budget expenditure but a very profitable investment in Croatia’s security, which is why Croatia will continue to work on modernisation projects and gradually increase the defence budget, Grabar-Kitarović said.
Defence Minister Damir Krstičević said the army’s return to Pula and the establishment of the Unmanned Aircraft System Headquarters was of strategic importance for Istria’s security and defence, and that it enabled servicemen in the county to find employment.
He said the return of the army to cities was part of a new deployment concept aimed at increasing the security of every part of Croatia.
The Unmanned Aircraft System Headquarters will employ about 100 servicemen and operate the Orbiter 3B unmanned aerial vehicle for the ministries of defence and agriculture as fishing surveillance and as support in sea protection and rescue operations as well as wildfire protection.
More Pula news can be found in the Lifestyle section.
