Another step in military cooperation between Croatia and the United States.
The United States has donated to the Croatian Army a state of the art simulation system for infantry training. The ceremonial handover at the “Colonel Predrag Matanović” barracks in Petrinja was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević and US Ambassador to Croatia Julieta Valls Noyes, reports Index.hr on March 27, 2017.
The system in question is the virtual shooting range SATT (Small Arm Tactical Training System), with 10 positions for training and shooting indoors without live ammunition, which is used for individual and group training.
Minister Krstičević stressed that the United States is the most important strategic partner of Croatia in the fields of defence and security. “The value of this donation substantially exceeds its price. This is another confirmation of the excellent friendly and allied relations between the United States and Croatia. The United States is our key ally and with them we participate in joint exercises, training and peace-building operations abroad, in the fight against ISIL and the growing radicalism. I believe this is the right path and that there will be many more such examples. This means a lot to the Croatian Army because the virtual shooting range helps us simulate real life situations and rehearse all possible scenarios in order to strengthen the Croatian Army”, said Minister Krstičević.
US Ambassador Julieta Valls Noyes expressed her satisfaction that she was able to deliver this donation, noting that Croatia is a significant security factor in the region of Southeast Europe. She recalled that the United States and Croatia have successfully worked together in the interest of peace in Afghanistan and in Kosovo, adding that she believed in the successful continuation of this cooperation.
The new SATT tactical training system is a virtual centre with ten position for shooting, which can be used for individual and group training. The environment in which the training is conducted can be manipulated via computer and projected onto screens, simulating different scenarios and conditions, such as desert, mountains or urban areas.
The donation of the simulation system is one of the examples of American assistance in building and improving defence capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces. The total value of this donation, together with spare parts and training, is about one million US dollars.
