Rheinmetall and Iskra Target Croatian Naval Projects Under New Shipbuilding Agreement
Croatia's Iskra Shipyard and Rheinmetall Naval Systems have signed a memorandum of understanding focused on naval defense projects. The agreement could support Croatian Navy programs and open international opportunities for Croatian shipbuilding.
Croatian shipbuilder Iskra Shipyard has signed a memorandum of understanding with Rheinmetall Naval Systems to explore cooperation on naval defense projects for the Croatian Navy and potential export markets.
The agreement provides a framework for future collaboration between Iskra and the German defense group's maritime division. According to Iskra, the partnership is intended to strengthen Croatia's shipbuilding base and increase the role of domestic industry in future naval programs.
The memorandum follows Iskra Shipyard's recent acquisition of the 3. Maj shipyard, a move that expands its industrial footprint in Croatia's maritime sector. The company indicated that the cooperation with Rheinmetall fits into a broader plan to develop Croatian naval shipbuilding capacity and support defense-sector projects.
Rheinmetall Naval Systems operates as Rheinmetall's maritime business focused on surface shipbuilding and naval solutions. Through the agreement, Iskra could gain access to Rheinmetall's international sales network, while Rheinmetall gains a regional industrial partner in Southeast Europe.
The deal comes as Croatia continues to assess its long-term naval requirements in the Adriatic and wider NATO maritime environment. For Zagreb, cooperation with a major European defense group may support local industrial participation in future fleet modernization or maintenance programs.
Rheinmetall has also recently expanded its presence in Croatia through the acquisition of a majority stake in DOK-ING, a Croatian company specializing in unmanned ground systems. Together, the developments point to a broader increase in German defense-industrial activity in the Croatian market.
