Croatian Defence Minister Anušić reports 260 trainees staying amid reserve force shortage

Defense Minister Ivan Anušić said that after the first cycle of basic military training, about 260 of the roughly 800 young conscripts expressed a desire to remain in the Armed Forces of Croatia, a boost for the understaffed reserve component. He noted that the two‑month intensive programme, which included skills such as first aid, automatic weapons handling and FPV drone operation, proved that young people can be rapidly prepared for basic combat and crisis tasks.

Anušić warned that the reserve force faces a chronic shortfall because since the 2008 pause in basic training only a small number of volunteers have qualified as reservists. He said all operational needs can still be met with professionals and existing reserves, and announced plans to raise the training cohort to 900 and eventually 1,000 by August. He also highlighted strong interest from domestic shipyards in building two new corvettes for the Croatian Navy, with many proposals already received and a goal to keep construction local.