Introduction
Croatia and Israel maintain military and security cooperation that includes Croatian procurement of Israeli systems such as unmanned turrets for armoured vehicles, drones, thermal imaging and night-vision equipment, counter-drone systems, and anti-tank missile technologies. Israeli companies have also supplied public-security and surveillance tools, including Cellebrite digital forensics software. Despite political efforts in 2025 to suspend military cooperation, Israeli technologies remain embedded in Croatia’s defence and internal security systems, including a major purchase of tanks equipped with Israeli technology.
General Relations
Diplomatic relations between Israel and Croatia were established in September 1997, with the opening of Croatia’s embassy in Israel. Relations have since been maintained through bilateral visits by high-ranking officials.[1]Embassy of Israel in Zagreb, Bilateral relations, 06.06.2024
In July 2010, Israeli President Shimon Peres paid an official visit to Croatia focused on security and political issues.[2]The Jerusalem Post, Peres reaches out to Slovenia and Croatia, 22.07.2010
In May 2016, Croatian Foreign Minister Miro Kovač visited Israel. In an interview during the visit he stated that there is “already excellent cooperation in areas of defense, security and intelligence” and expressed the Croatian government’s intentions to deepen the cooperation in the cyber area alongside agriculture, water management, tourism and high tech areas.[3]The Jerusalem Post, Croatian FM to ‘Post’: No anti-Semitism, racism, extremism in my country, 30.05.2016
In July 2019, Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović visited Israel and met with Israel Katz, who was serving as Israel’s foreign minister at the time,[4]Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Israel Katz met with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, 29.07.2019 and with Israel’s president Reuven Rivlin.[5]Israel National News Arutz Sheva,”Hundreds of years of history have become a mass grave”, 29.07.2019 During the visit she also attended an event to mark the signing of a cooperation agreement between the port of Rijeka and Haifa.[6]Port2port, Haifa Port: Twin Ports Alliance Signed with Rijeka Port in the Presence of the President of Croatia, 30.07.2019
In September 2025, amid the genocide in Gaza, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar visited Croatia.[7]Balkan Insight, Israeli Minister’s Visit Amid Gaza War Sparks Dispute in Croatia, 09.09.2025
Military Relations Between Croatia and Israel
Efforts to export Israeli military technology to Croatia began shortly after the establishment of diplomatic relations. In February 1999, Croatia and Israel signed a military cooperation agreement that included the modernization of Croatian MiG-21 fighter aircraft by the Israeli companies Elbit Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).[8]Hina, Croatia and Israel Sign Agreement on Military Cooperation, 15.02.1999 The deal, estimated at between $80 million and $120 million,[9]Radio Free Europe, Israel Croatia Sign $80 million Arms Deal, 15.02.1999[10]Aviation Week, Croatia has selected Elbit Systems Ltd. and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), 22.02.1999 was later suspended, along with several other defense projects between Israel and Croatia that were also delayed. The overall volume of these projects was estimated at $300 million.[11]Globes, Croatia Suspends Elbit IAI Warplane Upgrading Project, 02.08.2020
In 2007, the Croatian Army acquired four Skylark unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Elbit Systems.[12]The Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College, The Drone Databook, 2019
In March 2017, Croatia and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defense, establishing a framework to enhance cooperation in military technical cooperation, education and training, cyber capabilities, cooperation in equipment and modernisation and joint research. The MoU signing took place during a visit of the Croatian Minister of Defense Damir Krstičević to Israel. A month afterwards, Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman visited Croatia and participated in the Adriatic Sea Defense and Aerospace Exhibition.[13]Republic of Croatia Ministry of Defence, Minister Krstičević visits the State of Israel, 21.03.2017[14]Embassy of Israel in Zagreb, Bilateral relations, 06.06.2024 A key element of this agreement was the potential sale of Israeli fighter aircraft to Croatia.[15]Vecernji, Canadian diplomacy: Croatia and Israel become military allies, 17.03.2017
In August 2017 Elbit Systems won a $14.9 million contract by the Croatian Ministry of Defense to supply remote weapon stations for armoured vehicles. The UT30MK2 unmanned turrets are intended for 126 Patria eight-wheel drive armored modular vehicles. The turrets are fitted with a 30mm cannon and a 7.62x51mm gun, as well as Spike-LR missile systems made by Israel’s Rafael.[16]Defense News, Rafael to benefit from Elbit win in Croatia weapons tender, 25.08.2017[17]Israel Defense, Elbit to supply weapon stations for Croatia’s armored personnel carriers, 28.08.2017 In 2022 Croatia ordered additional turrets in a $1.8 million deal.[18]Shephard, Croatia orders additional remote weapon stations for armoured vehicles, 06.01.2022
In the beginning of 2018 a $500 million deal was signed for Croatia to procure 12 upgraded used F-16C/D Barak fighter jets from Israel.[19]Israel Defense, Croatia to Buy F-16 Jets from Israel in a $500M Deal, 29.03.2018 The deal was later blocked by the United States and ultimately cancelled.[20]Israel Defense, Report: US Blocks F-16 Deal between Israel, Croatia, 10.12.2018[21]Israel Defense, Israel’s F-16 Deal with Croatia Nixed over US Objections, 11.01.2019[22]The Times of Israel, Croatia formally nixes F-16 purchase from Israel after US objection, 14.01.2019 Before the deal’s cancellation and as part of the defense agreement between the Croatian and Israeli governments, a collaboration agreement was signed between IAI and the Croatian company DOK-ING for the manufacturing of robotic systems to be used in high risk areas.[23]IAI, IAI inks collaboration agreement with DOK-ING D.O.O ON manufacturing an autonomous robotic system for areas contaminated by chemical biological and radioactive agents without risking human … Continue reading Other opportunities that rose from the military agreement between the countries included Elbit’s interest in constructing a munitions factory in Croatia, and the possibility of establishing a regional cyber security center.[24]Total Croatia, Israel’s Elbit Wants to Build Ammunition Factory in Croatia, 11.04.2018
Another purchase from that time did come to fruition. In 2018 Croatian army acquired 6 Orbiter 3B from the Israeli firm Aeronautics in a €5 million deal.[25]The Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College, The Drone Databook, 2019[26]Israel Defense, Aeronautics in Talks with Croatia over UAV Deal, 13.05.2018 Funding for this military purchase allegedly came from EU fisheries funds.[27]Total Croatia, Milanović Calls to Prohibit Military Cooperation With Israel, 03.08.2025
Public security is another area in which relations have deepened. In 2019 a delegation of highly ranked Israeli police officers visited Croatia, followed by an official visit of the Israeli police attaché David Solomon to the Ministry of Interior of Croatia.[28]Embassy of Israel in Zagreb, Bilateral relations, 06.06.2024 In September 2019 the Croatian Minister of Interior Affairs Davor Bozinovic visited Israel and signed a cooperation agreement on public security with Israel’s Minister of Public Security, Strategic Affairs and Information Gilad Erdan.[29]Hina, Israel and Croatia ink agreement on cooperation in public security. 10.09.2019[30]Israeli Ministry of National Security, Expanding cooperation with Croatia, 09.09.2019[31]Republic of Croatia – Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Overview of Bilateral Treaties of the Republic of Croatia by Country
These diplomatic and security exchanges were accompanied by purchases of Israeli technology by the Croatian Ministry of the Interior. Cellebrite’s forensic tools have been purchased by Croatia since at least 2017, with recurring contracts in following years. The purchases and licence renewals were made through a local company named INsig2.[32]List of Contracts and Framework Agreement of the Ministry of the interior of the Republic of Croatia – headquarters 2017. Line 108[33]Croatian Ministry of Internal Affairs, CONTRACT REGISTER 2023[34]EOJN RH, contract number 48000000 – Software packages and information systems, 29.04.2024 In 2024, the Croatian Ministry of the Interior spent more than €300,000 on Cellebrite software licenses.[35]EOJN RH, contract number 48517000 – Information technology software package, 20.12.2024 A document published on the website of the Croatian Ministry of the Interior suggests that another contract, worth more than million euro, was signed in 2025 for 3 year usage of Cellebrite’s Inseyets online pro 3.[36]Croatian ministry of internal affairs, ISF21 PROCUREMENT PLAN 2025, twenty-second amendment
In 2021 the Croatian state-owned company Croatia Control responsible for air navigation services in Croatian airspace[37]CAPA- centre for Aviation, Croatia Control, announced using EnforceAir, a counter drones system by the Israeli company D-fend.[38]Control Croatia, Compatibility of AMC Portal System with EnforceAir Drone Detection System − Network Identification Function Implemented, 13.09.2021
In 2022 a delegation of the Israeli Ministry of Defense attended bilateral talks in Croatia. [39]Embassy of Israel in Zagreb, Bilateral relations, 06.06.2024
In September 2022 a cyber security center was opened in Zagreb in cooperation with Israeli company Cybergym. The center offers offer education, training and consulting services for the private and public sectors in Croatia.[40]bne intellinews, Croatia’s Span opens cyber security centre in Zagreb, 06.09.2022[41]Span, Span opened a Cyber Security Center in cooperation with the Israeli Cybergym – the first in this part of Europe, 05.09.2022
In January 2025 a Memorandum of Cooperation in the field of electronic communications and postal services was signed between the Israeli and Croatian governments. The Israeli Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi stated that the Memorandum paves the way for cooperation in cybersecurity and AI.[42]Total Croatia, Cooperation Memorandum Signed Between Croatia and Israel, 19.01.2025
In May 2025, President Zoran Milanović, as president and supreme commander of the Croatian Army, used his constitutional powers to order the Croatian Armed Forces to stop all forms of military cooperation with Israel. The order does not affect the procurement process of the Spike anti-tank missiles, which were developed by the Israeli state-owned company Rafael, but are purchased from the German joint venture Eurospike, which produces them under license from Rafael.[43]Total Croatia, Milanović Calls to Prohibit Military Cooperation With Israel, 03.08.2025[44]HRT, Government responds to Milanović: We do not purchase weapons from Israel, 03.08.2025
Despite this statement, a few months later, in December 2025, Croatia signed another agreement to acquire Israeli Military technology. Croatia signed a deal to purchase 44 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks, equipped with Israeli technology, using the EU’s SAFE financial instrument to support the acquisition. The 2A8 tanks are equipped with Trophy Active Protection System,[45]Croatia Week, Croatia signs deal to buy 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks from Germany, 10.12.2025[46]Overt Defense, Croatia Signs Deal with Germany for 44 Leopard 2A8 Main Battle Tanks, 19.12.2025 developed by Rafael, and manufactured by EuroTrophy, a joint venture established by Rafael to market the system to European clients.[47]Breaking Defense, First German Leopard 2 tank gets Israeli Trophy Active Protection System, 30.10.2024
In October 2025 A seminar on industrial cybersecurity organized by the Israeli Embassy was held in Zagreb with participation of six Israeli cybersecurity companies: Scadasudo, BouraCyber, Radiflow, cyolo.io, checkpoint and Sygnia.[48]Instagram, Israeli Embassy in Croatia, 31.10.2025
Use of Israeli arms and cyber technologies:
Unmanned Turrets by Elbit Systems: UT30MK2 unmanned turrets by Elbit Systems are installed on Patria eight-wheel drive armored modular vehicles used by the Croatian Army. The initial 2017 deal was for 126 remote weapon stations,[49]Defense News, Rafael to benefit from Elbit win in Croatia weapons tender, 25.08.2017[50]Israel Defense, Elbit to supply weapon stations for Croatia’s armored personnel carriers, 28.08.2017 and in 2022 Croatia ordered additional turrets.[51]Shephard, Croatia orders additional remote weapon stations for armoured vehicles, 06.01.2022
MARS-D thermal imaging cameras by Elbit Systems: These systems were reportedly used as part of border-control measures aimed at preventing the entry of migrants and asylum seekers.[52]Electronic Public Procurement Bulletin of the Republic of Croatia, tender number 2017/S 003-0010823, 01.06.2017[53]The Guardian, ‘They can see us in the dark’: migrants grapple with hi-tech fortress EU, 26.03.2021
FELIS night vision devices by OIP (subsidiary of Elbit): 22 devices were purchased between 2014-2017 for €130,240, awarded by the European Commission via the Schengen Facility instrument, and used for surveillance against migrants and asylum seekers[54]Border Violence Monitoring Network, The role of technology in illegal push-backs from Croatia to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia, 2019[55]Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Croatia, Night vision devices
Spike missiles by Rafael: Used on Patria armored modular vehicles 8x8s.[56]Defense News, Rafael to benefit from Elbit win in Croatia weapons tender, 25.08.2017[57]SIPRI
Orbiter 3B drone by Aeronautics (subsidiary of Rafael): Purchased by the Croatian army in 2018 and still in use in 2025.[58]Israel Defense, Aeronautics in Talks with Croatia over UAV Deal, 13.05.2018[59]Total Croatia, Milanović Calls to Prohibit Military Cooperation With Israel, 03.08.2025
UFED by Cellebrite: Cellebrite’s forensic tools have been purchased by Croatia since at least 2017, with recurring contracts in following years, through a local company named INsig2.[60]List of Contracts and Framework Agreement of the Ministry of the interior of the Republic of Croatia – headquarters 2017. Line 108[61]Croatian Ministry of Internal Affairs, CONTRACT REGISTER 2023[62]EOJN RH, contract number 48000000 – Software packages and information systems, 29.04.2024[63]EOJN RH, contract number 48517000 – Information technology software package, 20.12.2024 With the last purchase is likely a contract from 2025 for three year licence usage.[64]Croatian ministry of internal affairs, ISF21 PROCUREMENT PLAN 2025, twenty-second amendment
Pegasus by NSO: Pegasus infrastructure was linked to Croatian domains, and Croatian phone numbers were reportedly targeted. Investigations raised suspicions that Croatia was a customer of NSO group and purchased the spyware.[65]Telegram, The leaks details of the spying affair which also mentioned Croatia: how the software Pegasus eavesdropped on the world leaders, 10.02.2022[66]The Citizen Lab, HIDE AND SEEK Tracking NSO Group’s Pegasus Spyware to Operations in 45 Countries, 18.09.2018
Corsight‘s facial recognition technology: Facial recognition technology by Corsight is marketed in Croatia by the local company Alfa Razminiranje.[67]Alfa Razminiranje, Face Recognition System
Joint Drills
The International Air Force Commanders’ Conference, hosted by the Israeli Air Force in 2018, was attended by participants from Croatia, alongside participants from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Greece, Poland, Italy, Cyprus, Austria, Bulgaria, Brazil, France, the Czech Republic, Romania, the Netherlands, Finland, Belgium, Vietnam, and India.[68]Israel Defense, IAF Holds International Air Force Conference, 22.05.2018
Sky Angels 2018, an international Search and Rescue exercise held in Israel was attended by participants from Croatia, alongside other representatives from the United States, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, and the Czech Republic.[69]Israel Defense, Israel Hosts First International SAR Exercise, 20.11.2018
Iniochos exercise, Greece: Croatia sent observers to an international aerial exercise held in Greece with Israeli participation.[70]The Times of Israel, Israeli fighter jets touch down in Greece for major international aerial drills, 27.03.2022
Arms Exhibitions
The Adriatic Sea Defense & Aerospace (ASDA) Exhibition takes place bi-annually in Zagreb, with regular participation of Israeli companies.[71]Linkedin, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, April 2023 In April 2025, amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza, several Israeli companies continued to exhibit their products: D-fend solutions, IAI, Orbit Communication Systems, Rafael.[72]Adriatic Sea Defense & Aerospace (ASDA) Exhibition, Exhibitor Listing[73]Rafael, RAFAEL at ASDA 2025, 07.04.2025 IAI’s booth was even visited by Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić.[74]Linkedin, IAI – Israel Aerospace Industries, April 2025