Croatia to reintroduce compulsory military draft

Croatia will reinstate a two-month compulsory military service beginning January 1 next year, as announced by Defence Minister Ivan Anusic on August 15.

This decision comes in response to increasing tensions in Europe due to Russia's aggression in Ukraine and a notable arms race and military buildup in the Balkans — a region that endured a devastating conflict in the 1990s.

The reintroduction of conscription marks a shift from the volunteer-based system that replaced mandatory service in 2008, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

In his announcement, Minister Anusic highlighted recent improvements in the military's compensation structure, stating, “We have increased the salaries of soldiers, non-commissioned officers, and officers, enhancing their material rights through both personal income and daily wages.”

He also emphasized that the modernization and equipping of Croatia’s Armed Forces are proceeding as planned, with no budget cuts in this area, aligning with agreements with NATO and other allies.

Other European nations are also reevaluating their military service requirements in light of regional tensions. For instance, Latvia reinstated conscription last year due to concerns about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Serbia, Croatia’s major rival, is considering reactivating its own conscription system.