“I am proudly announcing that as of 2020  the Croatian Defence Academy will undergo the biggest transformation to date. In the year 2020, which coincides with 30th anniversary of the state of Croatian, the Ministry of Defence together with the academic community, the Ministry of Science and Education will establish a University of Defence and Security “Dr. Franjo Tuđman“, which will promote the existing study programmes and connect them with the civilian  sector“, announced Minister Damir Krstičević

The ceremony marking the 28^th anniversary of the Croatian Defence Academy featured the oath taking by the graduates of the Military Engineering and Military Management of the Croatian Defence Academy“Dr. Franjo Tuđman”, in Dom HV “Zvonimir“ in Zagreb on 16 December 2019.

The ceremony was attended by the Envoy of the President of the Republic and the Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces Zrinko Petener, by the Deputy Minister Damir Krstičević as  Envoy of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces General Mirko Šundov, by the Rector of the University of Zagreb Prof.  Damir Boras and other representatives of the academic community, by the members of the Parliament and other numerous visitors. In his message to the cadets the Envoy of the President of the Republic Zrinko Petener said the Croatian Defence Academy was making excellent progress  towards becoming the University of Defence and Security.

“We have high expectations from the Croatian Defence Academy and its study programmes; to educate the new actors of homeland security, which will change the overall paradigm of security“.

The Defence Minister Damir Krstičević congratulated the 12^th and 13^th generation of cadets and stated that their oath taking was important for the Croatian Armed Forces: “The Croatian Armed Forces have today commissioned 132 future commanders – strong, powerful and educated, who are a guarantee of a  great future of the Croatian Armed Forces. I wish to extend appreciation to your families for supporting you. Support is essential to build a strong and motivated soldiers, NCOs and officers.

“The Croatian Defence Academy continues to make a significant contribution to the development of the Croatian Armed Forces same as it did during the Homeland War, when the Croatian Army was developing from scratch. I am especially pleased that the memories of the victorious Homeland War continue to live in the Croatian Defence Academy  today – the halls and amphitheatres have been named after the guards brigades and the meritorious figures“. The Minister also congratulated the  students from NATO and partner countries, and extended appreciation to the universities of Zagreb and Split for the excellent co-operation. “Today, the Croatian Armed Forces have for the first time welcomed  57 masters and 75 bachelors, and the number will grow year by year, and it is of special importance for us today. These are important processes and days for our Armed Forces“, said the Minister, who also stressed that the young members had recognised the quality of the Croatian Defence Academy  study programmes.

“I am proudly announcing that as of 2020  the Croatian Defence Academy will undergo the biggest transformation to date. In the year 2020, which coincides with 30th anniversary of the state of Croatian, the Ministry of Defence together with the academic community, the Ministry of Science and Education will establish a University of Defence and Security “Dr. Franjo Tuđman“, which will promote the existing study programmes and connect them with the civilian  sector” The Minister also explained that the new study programme  – Homeland Security Studies – had been designed to generate the missing competencies within the homeland security system and that the University of Defence and Security “Dr. Franjo Tuđman ”would become to the main instution for the education of Croatian soldiers and other actors of the system. The construction and renovation of the  existing sports and accomodation facilities , and of a new conference centre, will promote the Croatian Defence Academy into one of the most modern campuses of the Republic of Croatia and of the region.

“The new generation of cadet graduates reward the focus placed on investments into knowledge, training and building of abilities of Croatian soldiers, which will be a priority as the human resources are the most important asset of the Croatian Armed Forces. The Ministry of Defence and the Croatian Armed Forces will always value knowledge and excellence,and will therefore do their best to provide you and the future generations the best conditions for learning and acquiring new knowledge and abilities ”said Minister Krstičević.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces stated the Croatian Defence Academy had over the past 28 years grown into a respectable education institution. “Our hopes are with the young, the foundation of the future Croatian Armed Forces and I have great belief in you. Some among you will be future chiefs of the General Staff and of its directorates, commanders of the services of the Croatian Armed Forces. I believe in you and your strength as future guards of peace and security of our people and homeland“, said  General Šundov. The Commander of the Croatian Defence Academy  “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” Major General Mate Pađen shared best wishes for the cadets’ future careers, guided by hard work, commitment, honesty and patriotism.

Hrvatska vojska bogatija za 132 novopromovirana diplomanta