ZAGREB, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Croatian Parliament's Defense Committee on Thursday approved the procurement of anti-drone protection system, Caesar howitzers, Leopard 2A8 tanks and TATRA off-road trucks worth a total of 1.945 billion euros (2.2562 billion U.S. dollars).
In addition to an anti-drone protection system, the military procurement includes 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks, 18 Caesar MK2 self-propelled howitzers and 420 TATRA T-815-7 heavy off-road trucks, said Croatian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ivan Anusic.
With the largest ever military procurement since the independence of Croatia in 1991, Anusic voiced belief that the move will exceed the 2 percent of Croatia's gross domestic product (GDP) and will see the Croatian Army undergo significant modernization in the coming years.
The delivery of the procurement will begin later this year and is expected to be finished in 2030.
Anusic has said that Croatia will increase its defense spending to 2.5 percent of its GDP by 2027, and to 3 percent by 2030, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen national security and promote self-sufficiency. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar) ■
