Croatia Trains Slovenian Troops in First International FPV Drone Course
Croatia's Intelligence Regiment has completed its first international FPV drone operator course, training Slovenian military personnel in tactical operations and imagery intelligence.
The Croatian Armed Forces have completed their first international training course for first-person-view (FPV) drone operators, with Croatian military instructors training personnel from the Slovenian Armed Forces at military facilities in Pula and Udbina.
The program was organized by the Intelligence Regiment of the Croatian Armed Forces General Staff and took place throughout October and early November, according to a November 7 announcement by Croatia's Ministry of Defense.
Training was conducted at the Hrvatski branitelji Istre barracks in Pula and the Josip Jović barracks in Udbina, marking a new step in Croatia's efforts to develop and share military drone expertise with neighboring NATO allies.
Training Covers Tactical Operations and Imagery Intelligence
The course combined classroom instruction with practical exercises designed to prepare operators to employ FPV drones in modern military environments.
Participants received training in the technical and tactical characteristics of unmanned systems, aircraft preparation and operation, simulator-based flying, tactical employment, imagery intelligence (IMINT), and operational planning.
The inclusion of imagery intelligence reflects the growing role of small drones beyond their use as strike platforms. FPV systems can also provide frontline units with real-time visual information for reconnaissance, target observation and battlefield assessment.
The Croatian Intelligence Regiment's instructors monitored individual progress throughout the course, adjusting the training program to participants' capabilities.
Brigadier Željko Perić, commander of the Intelligence Regiment, and Warrant Officer Filip Tunjić, the Croatian Armed Forces' senior enlisted leader, attended the closing ceremony in Udbina. Both emphasized the operational importance of unmanned systems and military cooperation.
Croatia Expands Its Military Drone Expertise
The international course follows a series of Croatian military achievements in FPV drone operations.
In September, Croatian special forces personnel won the tactical category at an international military drone competition in the United Kingdom. A Croatian Intelligence Regiment operator subsequently won the individual category at a military drone competition in Ankara in October.
As AdriaDefense previously reported, the Ankara result highlighted the development of specialized drone-operating skills within Croatia's armed forces.
The country is also building a domestic FPV technology base. Croatian manufacturer Orqa has participated in separate military drone training initiatives and is expanding its presence in international defense markets.
The Ministry of Defense did not disclose the number of Slovenian personnel who completed the latest course or identify the specific drone models used.
For Croatia, the latest training program demonstrates a shift from developing domestic drone capabilities toward providing instruction to other allied armed forces.
