In late March 2018 the  members of the Croatian Army hosted 30 members of the Royal Marines of the United Kingdom for a joint training event titled “Croatian Dagger 2018“. The British troops have been welcome to Knin for years already, but “Croatian Dagger“ was a novel event, as it featured the first visit of the UK Royal Marines. The training range “Crvena zemlja“ near Knin has been an important training location for the Croatian soldiers for years. Every now and then they are joined by foreign troops; in late March 2018 it was the UK Royal Marines;  who practiced the convoy support tactics, techniqes and procedures – patrols, control posts  and urban operations alongside the host forces in a training event titled “Croatian Dagger 2018“; it should be noted that both sides were equipped with protective vests and helmets made in Croatia and fired the Croatia-made VHS rifles with live ammunition. The participants gladly exchanged their knowledge and experience,. THe Croatian Army appreciatedthe opportunity to adopt training and tactical elements from their British colleagues.  Who for their part praised the compared tactics and operation of vehicles.  The practice was concluded with a demonstration exercise titled “Demonstration of complex ambush  tactics, techniques and procedures“, that was attended by many VIP visitors from both Croatia and the UK. The setting of the Exercise resembled much the conditions found in the Middle East, where the scenario was based. Everywhere around us a plenty of pervasive dust, and miles of red soil, which gave the training range the name It was only a strong wind blowing from Dinara Mountain  that reminded us we were in the Dalmatian hinterland.  In the middle of the karst the trainees built an object which served to simulate the search of an enemy facility. The simulated operation being set in the Middle East, due consideration was given to the cultural differences and the rules of conduct (banned contact of men with women others than their wives and the female soldier  conducting  search of women). In the isolation phase all the individuals encountered in the object were taken for further investigation to establish their identity (whether a civilian or a terrorist). The participants were assigned to four categories composed of an equal number of Croatian and British soldiers. Each team had a task of its own. The commanding team issued the orders and the support team was stand-by in the event of need. The security team formed “rings“ around the facility to prevent any  entry or exit while the assault team made entry into the object and searched it. The demonstrated exercise operation comprised six phases.; the first two phases completed beforehand  (the planning and reconnaissance) the third phase initiating the exercise itself involved the approaching  the target object. After the establishment of an outer ring by the  vehicles to prevent anyone exit the object; and of an internal ring by the iinfantry protecting the assault team the search phase kicked  Using the intelligence gathered in the recce phase the assault team entered the object and searched it. The soldiers simulated firing and other procedures. The simulated operation being set in the Middle East, due consideration was given to the cultural differences and the rules of conduct (banned contact of men with women others than their wives and the female soldier  conducting  search of women). In the isolation phase all the individuals encountered in the object were taken for further investigation to establish their identity (whether a civilian or a terrorist).

Enhancing defence co-operation

The demonstration exercise was conducted in control conditions; everything went according to the plan. The Exercise was an opportunity for the less experienced persons to gain insight into the phases of a complex ambush and the respective rules to abide by (the international war rules, the law and the custorms of the host country and the like). THe successful conduct of the demonstration exercise proved the two armed forces to be ready  to engage in urban warfare in international operations and peace support operations.The representatives of the two sides commended the displayed readiness of the armed forces both to take part in international operations and to co-operate . “I am glad to see the United Kingdom and Croatia strengthening their defence co-operation; our ambition is to be a strong strategic partner and I believe we have  a common interest in the stability of southeast Europe and the engagement within NATO. I am sure this training event will open a new period of our friendship“, said the Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Damir Krstičević. The British side welcomes the co-operation with Croatia too. ” We have today is an excellent example of security co-operation of the  two countries“, said the Head oif the country’s security co-operation,” said Head European BIlateral Relations and EU Exit Linda Dann of the UK Defence Ministry; her view was shared by the UK Deputy Ambassador Peter Clements. “While both Croatia and the UK are NATO member nations, our co-operation can only have real effects if our troops train together“. The joint training in the “Croatian Dagger 2018“ ushers in new bilateral events between the United Kinghdom and Croatia; July will see the arrival of the members of the Royal Air Force  to Croatia to attend training, and September will feature the “Sava Star 18“ traditional exercise, The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces is visiting London in late April to sign agreement on  the future co-operation. The most important outcome of the newly completed training will be the founding of the first Croatian naval-diving infantry unit. “The co-working wiht the Royal Marines  has brought us in contact with their  experiences , and enabled a quick, efficient and operational establishment of the marine commando unit“, said Minister Krstičević. If the plans go well, the Croatian and British marine units might conduct joint exercises in the years ahead.