Croatia celebrates 30 years since significant war victory with military parade

On July 31, 2025, Croatia held a military parade in Zagreb to commemorate 30 years since a significant war victory, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history. The event saw thousands of onlookers gather to witness the display of military strength, featuring 3,400 army personnel, police units, emergency service teams, and war veterans. A notable highlight was the flyover by French-made Rafale jets, showcasing Croatia's modernization of military capabilities. Concurrently, naval ships paraded by the Adriatic Sea port of Split, symbolizing the nation's naval strength and readiness. Croatia's military parade is set against the backdrop of ongoing security concerns in Europe, particularly in light of Russia's military actions in Ukraine. Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic emphasized the importance of Croatia's modernization efforts, stating that the country aims to enhance its military technology to align with allied forces. Since becoming an EU member in 2013 and joining NATO, Croatia has actively sought to integrate Western military technology and practices into its defense strategy. Despite the celebration, the relations between Croatia and Serbia remain tense, rooted in historical conflicts during the Yugoslav Wars. Serbia plans to commemorate the victims of the 1995 Operation Storm, which led to the exodus of ethnic Serbs from Croatia. This lingering tension illustrates the complex historical context surrounding the military parade and highlights the ongoing challenges faced by both countries in reconciling their pasts. The military parade also serves a dual purpose of garnering popular support for increased defense spending as the country considers applying for loans from a European Union defense fund. Croatia has expressed potential interest in obtaining 1.8 billion euros from the EU's program, which aims to bolster regional security in response to perceived threats. Analysts suggest that the parade and defense spending intention are part of a broader trend of militarization across Europe as nations adapt to a more precarious geopolitical landscape.