Croatia Maps 208 Defense-Capable Firms as Contracts Top €200M

Croatia has identified 208 domestic companies with capabilities relevant to defense production, while the Ministry of Defense says it signed contracts worth more than €200 million with Croatian suppliers over the past year. Defense Minister Ivan Anušić highlighted the figures at the Master Business Forum in Rovinj on October 9, outlining the government's efforts to expand domestic manufacturing and connect Croatian companies with the country's military modernization program.

Speaking at the conference, Anušić encouraged manufacturers, technology companies and startups to pursue European Union funding opportunities and develop partnerships within the defense sector. His remarks reflect Zagreb's ambition to strengthen its domestic industrial base while increasing the participation of Croatian suppliers in European defense programs.

Croatia's Defense Industry Expands Beyond Traditional Manufacturers

The figure of 208 companies comes from an industrial mapping initiative conducted by the Ministry of Defense and the Croatian Chamber of Economy. It covers businesses assessed as having capabilities relevant to defense production, rather than exclusively companies already manufacturing military equipment.

An earlier mapping exercise, presented in March 2026, provided a detailed assessment of 183 Croatian companies. The findings showed that 29% operated in advanced manufacturing, while another 14% specialized in engineering and research and development. Approximately 62% maintained internal product development departments, and 61% developed technologies with both civilian and military applications.

The newer figure of 208 should not be interpreted as evidence of 25 newly established defense manufacturers, since the two figures do not necessarily describe identical groups of companies.

The March assessment also found that 81% of the participating businesses already exported to NATO or European Union markets. While these figures indicate a substantial industrial base with international commercial experience, they also show that Croatia's potential defense supply chain extends well beyond traditional weapons manufacturers. Companies working in electronics, engineering, specialized machinery and dual-use technologies may have opportunities to supply equipment and components to larger defense contractors.

More Than €200 Million in Domestic Defense Contracts

According to Anušić, the Croatian Ministry of Defense signed equipment contracts exceeding €200 million with domestic companies during the preceding 12 months. The contracts form part of Croatia's ongoing effort to modernize its armed forces and incorporate locally developed equipment and technologies into military procurement.

The ministry did not provide a company-by-company breakdown of the €200 million figure in its October 9 announcement, nor did it identify how much of the contracted amount had already been disbursed. The reported total represents signed contract value rather than confirmed payments to suppliers.

Croatian officials have increasingly emphasized the importance of connecting smaller domestic manufacturers with major defense contractors responsible for larger modernization programs. This approach could allow companies that are not traditional military suppliers to enter defense production through components, engineering services, electronics and specialized manufacturing.

At the Rovinj forum, the defense industry panel included representatives of Rheinmetall Unmanned Vehicles, Croatian drone manufacturer Orqa, industrial group Đuro Đaković and NVL. Their participation highlighted the range of companies involved in discussions about Croatia's future defense manufacturing capacity.

European Defense Investment Creates Opportunities for Croatian Suppliers

Croatia's industrial development plans coincide with wider European efforts to increase defense production and reduce vulnerabilities in military supply chains. Anušić urged Croatian businesses to pursue available European Union funding opportunities, presenting defense manufacturing as a potential source of industrial growth and employment.

Croatian companies are already demonstrating international ambitions in emerging defense technologies. Osijek-based drone manufacturer Orqa, for example, has expanded its activities beyond Croatia through international partnerships and defense-related programs. As AdriaDefense previously reported, the company announced in August that its FPV drones had been selected by the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division following an evaluation.

However, converting existing industrial capabilities into sustained defense production remains a challenge. The Croatian Chamber of Economy's March assessment identified dependence on certain imported machinery and electronic components as a supply-chain vulnerability. Companies entering the sector must also meet the technical, production and compliance requirements associated with defense procurement.

The government's next challenge is therefore not simply identifying additional companies with relevant capabilities, but helping them secure contracts, establish reliable supply chains and participate in larger European defense manufacturing programs. The €200 million in domestic contracts provides a measure of current procurement activity, although the available figures do not yet establish how that spending is distributed across Croatia's wider industrial base.

Croatia's Defense Industry: Key Figures

How many Croatian companies have defense production capabilities?

The Ministry of Defense identified 208 companies with capabilities relevant to defense production in October 2026. A separate detailed assessment published in March covered 183 companies.

How much has Croatia contracted with domestic defense suppliers?

According to Defense Minister Ivan Anušić, the ministry signed contracts worth more than €200 million with Croatian companies over the preceding 12 months. The reported amount refers to contract value, not necessarily payments already made.