President Milanović Monitors Naval Surveillance of Croatian Waters from aboard Missile Gunboat Dubrovnik

The President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović visited the Croatian Navy today, where he was briefed on naval activities and the current level of readiness for maritime surveillance operations in the Republic of Croatia’s territorial waters. As part of the visit, a patrol was conducted aboard the missile gunboat RTOP-42 Dubrovnik in the central Adriatic sector.

The Commander of the Croatian Navy, Commodore Damir Dojkić, also briefed the President on the Croatian Navy’s participation in NATO’s maritime surveillance operation Sea Guardian in the Mediterranean. The Croatian Navy took part in the operation with the missile gunboat Vukovar, which returned from the mission today to its home port of Lora in Split. During the patrol of the gunboat Dubrovnik, north of the Split Gates, a naval rendezvous was executed between the two warships, allowing the Commander in Chief to salute the crew of Vukovar as they returned from Operation Sea Guardian.

The Croatian Navy continues to develop its combat capabilities to safeguard the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia at sea and along the coast. In peacetime, it monitors and protects Croatia’s maritime domain through the deployment of its vessels, radar stations, and other assets, in cooperation with the Croatian Air Force, relevant state authorities, and allied forces. Croatian Navy personnel are regularly deployed in NATO and European Union missions and operations. In addition to Operation Sea Guardian, they are currently participating in NATO’s mine countermeasures operation and in two EU missions: Operation Atalanta and Operation IRINI.

While aboard the missile gunboat Dubrovnik, the President was briefed on the activities and tasks of Croatian Navy personnel by the Commander of the Surface Action Division, Stipe Mornar.

President Milanović was accompanied by the Head of the Office of the President of the Republic, Orsat Miljenić, and the Adviser to the President of the Republic for Defense, Ivica Olujić.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan