During an official visit to NATO member Croatia, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, together with Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, reviewed newly inducted military aircraft in the inventory of the Croatian Air Force. Drawing attention to the Turkish defence industry product Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs, Rutte said, “Seeing the UAV technologies you purchased from Turkey this morning impressed me greatly.”
As part of his engagements in Zagreb, Rutte, together with Plenkovic, received briefings on the US-made Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 armed unmanned aerial vehicles, and French-made Rafale fighter jets that Croatia has recently added to its inventory to enhance its defence capacity.
Arctic Warning: “Russia and China Are Becoming More Active”
Speaking at a joint press conference held at the government building in Zagreb, Rutte drew attention to increasing military activity in the Arctic region. Emphasising that the opening of sea routes raises the risk of Russia and China becoming more active in the region, Rutte recalled that seven of the eight Arctic countries are NATO members.
“Russia is the only Arctic country outside NATO. However, China has almost become an Arctic country in terms of its activities, if not geographically,” Rutte said. Stating that Arctic security is a strategic priority for NATO, Rutte noted that since 2025 NATO has taken on a more active role in the High North.
“Croatia Is Protecting Not Only Its Own Airspace, but NATO as Well”
Responding to questions about Croatia’s air defence capacity following the crash of a Russian-made unmanned aerial vehicle near Zagreb in 2022, Rutte praised the country’s investments. “Croatia has successfully taken control of its airspace. Seeing on site the systems acquired from France, Turkey and the United States, and the personnel operating these systems, impressed me greatly,” Rutte said.
Rutte also referred to NATO’s “Eastern Sentry” initiative launched to counter UAVs and airspace violations, stating that the initiative aims to bring together the capabilities of all allies from the Black Sea to the High North.
Emphasis on Bayraktar TB2: Praise for the Turkish Defence Industry
Rutte drew particular attention to the importance of the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs for NATO allies, saying, “Seeing the UAV technologies you purchased from Turkey impressed me greatly. Croatia’s efforts to develop its domestic defence industry in this field are also highly commendable.”
Plenkovic: “All Allies in NATO Must Respect One Another”
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, responding to a question regarding statements by US President Donald Trump about Greenland, emphasised the importance of mutual respect within NATO. “All allies, including the United States, the largest country in NATO, must respect one another. I believe a solution will be found through dialogue that will ensure security while also guaranteeing that Greenland remains part of Denmark,” Plenkovic said.
