Croatia Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 67th
MPR SCORE: 502
MPR Index: 0.1963 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.7617 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +0.138 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Croatia ranks 67th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR). As a NATO and EU member situated at the crossroads of Central Europe and the Balkans, Croatia maintains a small but capable force focused on national defense, territorial integrity, and regional stability. Its modernization efforts prioritize interoperability, air defense, and coastal protection, aligning with NATO standards while supporting security operations in southeastern Europe.
Strengths: Strategic Coastal Force with NATO Integration
Naval and Coastal Defense: Croatia’s position along the Adriatic Sea makes its naval fleet, including missile boats and coastal surveillance systems, a critical pillar of national defense.
NATO Interoperability: Croatian forces regularly participate in joint NATO exercises, maintain deployable infantry units, and host multinational training events, reinforcing alliance cohesion in the Balkans.
Air Defense Modernization: Croatia is in the process of acquiring Rafale multirole fighter jets, replacing outdated MiG-21s, while investing in modern radar and short-range air defense systems.
Professionalization and Reserve Structure: The Croatian Armed Forces maintain a well-trained core supported by a structured active reserve system, enabling flexible mobilization in crises.
Why Croatia Is Still Ranked Just 67th
1. Small Force Size and Limited Power Projection
Croatia’s military is compact and lacks large-scale operational depth.
Fewer than 18,000 active personnel, with limited heavy armor
No strategic lift, expeditionary logistics, or long-range strike assets
Ground forces centered on light mechanized and infantry battalions
2. Transitional Modernization Status
Key modernization programs are ongoing but incomplete.
Air force still transitioning from legacy MiG-21s to Rafales
Armored and artillery systems are a mix of NATO-standard and older domestic or ex-Yugoslav models
Defense spending remains below 2% of GDP, slowing procurement timelines
3. Limited Strategic Autonomy
Croatia’s military doctrine is dependent on allied support.
No nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, or satellite capabilities
Reliant on NATO frameworks for strategic intelligence and extended deterrence
Minimal indigenous defense industry, leading to external equipment reliance
Conclusion
Croatia fields a professional, regionally focused military with growing maritime and air capabilities. It plays a vital role in Adriatic security and NATO integration efforts in southeastern Europe. However, within the MPR—which emphasizes autonomous warfighting capability, strategic mobility, and depth—Croatia ranks 67th due to its small size, transitional force modernization, and dependency on alliance structures.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 15,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 19,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 10,000 (Croatian National Guard)
Army Personnel: 12,000
Air Force Personnel: 2,000
Navy Personnel: 1,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 60+ (M-84A)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 300+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 200+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 20+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 40+
Transport Aircraft: 10+
Aircraft Breakdown:
F-16 Fighter Jets: 12 (on order, deliveries expected by 2025)
MiG-21 Fighter Jets: 10 (to be retired)
OH-58D Kiowa Warrior Helicopters: 16 (reconnaissance and attack)
Naval Forces
Submarines: None
Frigates: None
Corvettes: None
Patrol Vessels: 5
Mine Countermeasure Vessels: 3
Missile Capabilities
Croatia does not have advanced missile systems such as ballistic missiles or hypersonic capabilities. The country’s air defense is mainly supported by short- and medium-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), with ongoing modernization efforts.
Strategic Partnerships
As a member of NATO, Croatia has strong defense partnerships with other NATO members, especially the United States. Croatia is involved in joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and defense technology transfers. Croatia also works closely with its regional neighbors, particularly Slovenia, Italy, and Hungary, on Adriatic security and Balkan defense issues.
Military History & Combat Experience
Croatia’s military history is deeply shaped by the breakup of Yugoslavia, a defining period that forged a modern defense force through intense combat and national struggle. Since independence, Croatia has participated in NATO missions and peacekeeping operations while transitioning to a professional, alliance-integrated military.
Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995): Following its declaration of independence from Yugoslavia, Croatia engaged in a multi-year war against the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) and Serb paramilitary forces. The conflict saw heavy fighting across Slavonia, Dalmatia, and Krajina. The military conducted major operations such as Operation Flash and Operation Storm, which regained occupied territory and demonstrated a capacity for large-scale combined-arms warfare.
Post-War Stabilization and NATO Integration (1995–2009): After the war, Croatia restructured its armed forces under Western standards, demobilizing irregular units and adopting NATO-compatible command, control, and logistics systems. It officially joined NATO in 2009, marking a shift toward international cooperation and expeditionary readiness.
Peacekeeping and Overseas Deployments (2000s–Present): Croatia has contributed troops to ISAF in Afghanistan, KFOR in Kosovo, and EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatian forces have deployed infantry contingents, military police, and staff officers, gaining operational experience in joint NATO environments.
Adriatic Maritime Security (2000s–Present): Croatia continues to prioritize its naval patrols, coastal surveillance, and counter-smuggling operations in the Adriatic. Its navy, though small, plays an active role in NATO maritime exercises, securing sea lanes and deterring illicit activity.
Croatia’s military experience is anchored in its formative war for independence, followed by two decades of NATO alignment, peacekeeping, and regional defense leadership. While limited in global reach, its armed forces are battle-tested, strategically positioned, and progressively modernizing within the NATO framework.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~3.8 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~1.4 million
Geographic Area: 56,594 km²
Land Boundaries: 2,237 km
Bordering Countries: Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro
Coastline: 5,835 km (mainland and islands)
Climate: Mediterranean and continental; mild winters, hot summers
Terrain: Low mountains and highlands near Adriatic; flat plains inland
Natural Resources: Oil, bauxite, hydropower, timber, arable land
Proven Oil Reserves: ~80 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~1.1 trillion cubic feet
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$1.4 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.7%
GDP (PPP): ~$170 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$45,000
External Debt: ~$50 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Gradual rise to meet NATO obligations
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary; conscription suspended in 2008
Primary Defense Focus: Homeland defense, NATO readiness, peacekeeping
Military Industry Base: Limited; some naval and munitions capacity
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Developing; NATO cooperative structures
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Croatian Armed Forces General Staff controls all service branches
Missile Inventory Highlights: RBS-15, Mistral, Igla, NATO-standard artillery systems
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate readiness; within 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~20,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Participates in ESA; no independent launch capacity
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: Security and Intelligence Agency (SOA), Military Security and Intelligence Agency (VSOA)
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: NATO, EU, bilateral pacts
Airports (Total): ~68
Major Military Airports: Zagreb, Zadar, Pleso AB
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~85 vessels
Major Ports: Rijeka, Split, Ploče
Naval Infrastructure: Moderate; includes missile boats, patrol vessels, training ships
Naval Replenishment Capability: Coastal capability; limited blue-water logistics
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~2,600 km
Roadways: ~72,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~20,000 barrels per day
Energy Imports: Moderate dependence on imports; domestic gas helps offset
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains reserves under EU/IEA rules
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: HS Produkt (small arms), naval repair, munitions
Military Installations (Domestic): Key bases in Zagreb, Knin, Split
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: NATO missions and advisers
Defense Alliances: NATO member, EU CSDP
Strategic Airlift Capability: Moderate; relies on C-27J Spartan and NATO SAC program
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Limited
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Modest; small arms and military engineering
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: INA (energy), Croatian Railways, Brodosplit (shipbuilding)
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Zagreb
Founding Date: June 25, 1991 (independence from Yugoslavia)
System of Government: Unitary parliamentary republic
