Croatia strengthens Rafale-based defence partnership with France

Croatia formalized a landmark defence agreement with France, signing contracts in Paris to acquire 18 CAESAR 6x6 MkII self-propelled howitzers and 15 VBMR-L Serval armored vehicles from KNDS France.

The ceremony, split between the Satory site and the Élysée Palace, was attended by Croatian Defence Minister Ivan Anušić, French Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin, President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, and KNDS CEO Jean Paul Alary, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“This partnership strengthens Croatia’s Rafale-based defence cooperation with France and accelerates the modernization of our land forces,” Minister Anušić said.

The CAESAR 6x6 MkII retains its 155 mm/52-caliber gun compliant with NATO standards, firing up to six rounds per minute with a range of 42 km, extendable to 50 km with rocket-assisted projectiles. The vehicle’s 6x6 chassis allows speeds of up to 100 km/h and a range of 600 km, while improvements to the cab, engine, and digital integration enable rapid deployment and shoot-and-scoot operations.

Alongside the artillery, the VBMR-L Serval 4x4 provides protected mobility for infantry and forward observers, featuring a Hornet remote turret capable of mounting weapons from 7.62 mm machine guns to Akeron MP or Mistral 3 missiles. “The Serval ensures the continuity of digital command links and tactical flexibility on the battlefield,” the French and Croatian officials noted.

This acquisition complements Croatia’s broader modernization program, which includes Leopard 2A8 tanks, HIMARS systems, Bradley M2A2 ODS vehicles, Black Hawk helicopters, and Bayraktar TB2 drones. The deal is supported by the European SAFE instrument, aimed at reinforcing the continent’s defense industrial base.

By integrating CAESAR and Serval systems, Croatia not only enhances operational capabilities but also aligns more closely with NATO and European defense architectures. As Minister Anušić highlighted, the signing marks “a strategic convergence that strengthens the Paris–Zagreb axis and reinforces interoperability, modernization, and Europe’s collective defence posture.”

By Vafa Guliyeva