On March 16, 2023, the Croatian parliamentary Defense Committee gave a positive opinion on projects to procure SPIKE anti-tank guided missiles, Patria APCs Armored Personnel Carriers and rigid inflatable boats (RIB) and to modernize the radar system and upgrade the combat communications system of the Croatian Air Force (HRZ).
Croatian Defense Minister Mario Banožić said that the value of the project to procure SPIKE missiles was slightly more than €11 million, that Patria vehicles would cost slightly more than €158 million, and that rigid inflatable boats were a donation from the US worth €5 million.
Patria vehicles will be procured by 2028 and the procurement period for RIBs will be shorter, added Croatian Defence Minister Mario Banožić. The SPIKE long-range missiles would be integrated with the Patria armored personnel carriers. The plan is to procure an additional 30 Patria vehicles of different versions. According to our source, The Patria vehicle that will be purchased by Croatia will be the AMV model.
The Patria AMV (Armored Modular Vehicle) is a Finnish-made, multirole armored vehicle designed for a variety of missions, including reconnaissance, infantry support, and transport. It is highly mobile, with a high power-to-weight ratio and a high level of protection, making it well-suited for operations in challenging environments.
