Croatia’s Defense Minister Ivan Anušić said on Monday that Serbia’s recent reinstatement of compulsory military service and acquisition of advanced weaponry pose potential security concerns for the region.
Speaking at a conference on European defense industry developments in Zagreb, Anušić described the rhetoric and military developments of neighboring countries outside the European Union and NATO as “worrying.” He highlighted Serbia as possessing “serious offensive systems” that have been procured over the past several years.
“The ongoing rhetoric from these countries is concerning. According to the information available to us, Serbia currently has complex and expensive systems acquired over four to six years,” Anušić said. He did not speculate on Serbia’s motivations for the military buildup but stressed that Croatia must prepare to defend its borders.
Croatia shares borders with two countries outside the EU and NATO: Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Anušić said that regional security in Europe must be treated collectively, particularly along eastern borders, citing the Baltic states, Finland, Romania, and Croatia itself.
“The situation in Ukraine has been a lesson for Europe,” he added, referencing Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and its challenges to European security. “Europe has been protected not solely through its own capacity but largely due to Ukraine’s resistance.”
Serbia’s president, Aleksandar Vučić, announced the return of military conscription in late January, citing concerns over alleged military alliances targeting Serbia, apparently referencing cooperation among Croatia, Albania, and Kosovo.
Anušić also called for Europe to revise defense strategies and investment priorities, which he said have traditionally emphasized civil infrastructure over military preparedness.