Croatia’s Defense Minister Ivan Anusic has announced that military conscription will resume next year, with draftees undergoing two-month training courses.
Croatia will reintroduce mandatory military service starting next year, as confirmed by Defense Minister Ivan Anusic. The country previously had obligatory conscription, which was suspended in 2008 when a volunteer-based system was implemented. Anusic clarified that conscripts will serve under the same conditions as volunteers.
”The term will last two months, it [conscription] will start on January 1, 2025,” the minister stated to broadcaster RTL, aligning with prior government announcements.
The Defense Ministry has increased salaries for military service members and is modernizing its weaponry, in accordance with NATO agreements, Anusic added. He emphasized the Finance Ministry’s agreement that there should be no attempts to reduce military spending.
According to Croatian media, the ministry anticipates recruiting between 4,000 and 4,500 conscripts annually. These individuals will be called up every few months in four or five waves and sent to boot camps at the Pozega, Sinj and Knin military bases. They will receive basic infantry training but not the more advanced specialized skills required within the military.
Men eligible for military service who wish to avoid it can obtain medical exemptions, a delay for academic reasons, or permission to serve in the civil service as conscientious objectors. The latter group will be assigned to civil defense jobs or contribute to various social services.
Conscientious objectors are expected to serve twice as long as their military counterparts and receive less compensation. Volunteers currently earn €900 ($990) per month. Conscripts will reportedly receive the same amount.
Croatian government statistics cited by the press indicate that a total of 10,327 people volunteered for military training between 2008 and the end of 2022.
Last year, NATO member Latvia reinstated military conscription, citing the need for increased manpower and trained reservists in light of a potential conflict with Russia.
Moscow has dismissed claims of an intended attack on the US-led military bloc as “ridiculous.” Washington has used this alleged threat to justify providing more military aid to Ukraine.