Croatian navy in 2030

This is my look on future Croatian navy, since its not real and probably will never be real it is alternative,

Croatia has long naval history since the 9th century. However it lose its power once it become part of Hungary in 1102. During the war of indenpendence Croatia secure two dozen ships that belong to previous Yugoslavian navy, most of wich are already been near end of their lifes. In beginning of 21th century croatia enters with Two King class Missile boats, one Končar class missle boats, four Mirna patrol boats, and two Support-Minelayer ships. Plus several other supporting ships like school ship Andrija Mohorovović(Moma class), Minehunter Korčula, salvage ship Faust Vrančić, plus few others mostly smaller landing crafts. And the only submarine that Croatia has at the time Velebit - una midget submarine was off the service.

Naval command and the government tried twice to modernize its fleet and possibly expand it. In 2008 it buys two Helsinki class missile boat from Finnish navy, although those ships were modernized by Finns, those ships were even older then Croatian missile boats (with exception of RTOP Šibenik, Končar class) and it was believed that those two ships will stay in service up to 2022 when they will together with Šibenik be retired from service. Second modernization was on much smaller scale, replacement engines for two King class, with two new engines of German origin, Končar class was scheduled to receive the same. Upgrades on its missile systems and radars systems are also authorized.

In 2009 global crisis strikes the world as flaming hurricane. Smaller countries as Croatia were badly hit, and lots of projects, especially those concerning the military were cancelled. Croatian military forces find itself with not enough budget to modernize all branches of military. By 2010, only RTOP Šibenik(Končar class) receive new engines and missile and radar upgrades as well as few other smaller upgrades on ships hull. King class received only missile and radar upgrades, engines were cancelled.

2012 - By the mid 2012 government mostly concentrate on ground forces, modernizing tanks, armored vehicles, buying new armored vehicles(Patria), and new military trucks. It was only investment for a few years that will come. Since the Croatia is part of Nato, it participate in Nato's mission mostly on middle east, however only older BOV armored vehicles, LVM, and Humwees were used in missions(Afganistan), MTB's and Patrias were to expensive to be used outside of its borders, although few patrias would be shipped to Afganistan to boost Croatian contigent there by 2015.

Air forces were in no better shape then navy. With crash of two Mig-21 by the 2010, Croatia was left with only 6 Migs that are still in flying condition. With probably few more existing as spares. Government was worried because the Migs that are in service were at the very end of their service life. Two options for this were maded, since there was no money for brand new planes, buying second hand planes or do the same thing like Slovenia, and giving Italian Air force premission to protect air space of Croatia(ocourse, each year of protection would be very expensive for croatian side). At the end, government decided to keep the air forces, upgrading the current planes, and buy the new ones when time comes and when there was resources for it.

2015 - 2017 Since the ground forces were partially modernized, Croatian government turn to the Air force, the only military branch that was in serious need of new equipment. It took two full years to finally decided to buy new planes. With budget that was saved for two years, several planes were offered like Gripen, Mig29, F-16, Mirage 2000, and Typhoon, however Typhoon, and Mig 29 were declined immediately, they were to big, and it would take lot of money just to reconfigure current runways for them, Mirage 2000 was also declined, because even with new package it was old, at the end of 2016 and in first months of 2017, only F-16 and Gripen remains. US offer squadron of 12 F-16C Block 25, however those planes were already old over 20 years, and refit of them was needed, even as they were seem to be cheaper then Gripen. Saab and Swedish government offer 12 JAS39C Gripens to Croatia, planes that were almost 20% more expensive then those F16 but they were newer and there was more options for them, and current runways and installations were adequate. By end of 2017 Croatia finally agree with the Swedish offer and buy's 12 new fighters that would be delivered by the end of 2018.Croatia payes 45million Dollars for each plane in total cost was 540milion dolars in total, plus ocourse for missiles, pilot training and everything that goes with it.

It was probably the most expensive equipment purchased by Croatia, since 1991. With new planes, Croatia was finally having real air fighting force. It retire remaining Migs as well as remaining three Mil-8 helicopters. Since there was around 12 Mil-17 all new, there was no need for new helicopters, and since Croatia ground its fleet of Mi-24 gunships, it doesn't operate attack helicopters, however some of Mi-17 carries missiles for ground assault.

By 2019 economy start slowly to rise again. Several new factories were open, NovaTech opens two of its own factories, mostly weapon factories, for modern missiles and point defense systems, giving over five thousand people jobs.

"NovaTech was formed by Darko Kadarovich who moved from Croatia to the states in 2008. Hi invent a new silicon crystal based chips, that spread around the world like a plaque. New chips allow faster computing, lesser energy to operate, and cannot be affected by EMP. From 2010 to 2020 NovaTech rise and become one of few mega companies of world, having over 200,000 workers in several countries. With several developing centers, each for specific technologies, propulsion,electric, weapons, genetic and even space technology, in only ten years NovaTech become prime on all the fields.

NovaTech will play large roll in modernization of Croatian navy, but not only the Croatian, few other countries as well.

By 2022, economy was stable again, From 400,000 people that were unemployed in between 2009-2015, There was only 145,000 now. NovaTech was not only one who build factories in Croatia, several other like Samsung, Philips, even car manufactories like Audi, expand into small country. With such large boost of new jobs, and exports of its own products Croatia finally can finish all projects that it start before the crisis.

First of them was the navy, who for years needed new ships and refurbishment of existing ships. Since it was part of Nato and European Union, Croatia wants to expand itself, like the other countries doing. However to participate in anti-piracy missions, naval exercises it must have modern ships. Modernization start with retrofitting of four missile boats, in service, fifth the Šibenik was retired. New engines, new radars, missiles all of them were needed. Helsinki class missile boats service was expand up till 2030, while the King class was expected to be retired in 2037. All four missile boats were upgraded and re-activated into active service again(begninning of 2023). Two Cetina class minelayers were expanded for 15meters, giving them total length now around 65m. Two new AK-630M replaced the old CIWS system. All four Mirna class patrol ships were retired, One was given to naval police squadron, and one remains in costal guard, remaining two were stored.

Five new patrol boats of the new Hvar class enters the service. Hvar, Brač, Vis, Šolta and Brijuni, all entering the service betwewen 2023-2025. These new offshore patrol boats, with length of 60m, armed with one 4,5inch gun, and one Ak-630M1-2 Duet CIWS.
New 90m Command ship was also builded called Dunav(Danube). Ship was specific for having ferry type gate on its aft section. Danube carriers limited weapons, with exception of one 4.5inch gun, two AK-630M1-2 Duet Ciws, plans to build four vertical launchers for RBS15 Mark V ship to ship missiles were cancelled.

Croatia also want to have between 2 or 3 larger vessels, in size of frigate, US offers four Perry class frigates, but with funds NOva Tech invest Croatia wants something better, After almost two months of negotiations, US Congress approve construction and sale of two Arleigh Burke class destroyers to Croatia, half of total amount that will be financed by NovaTech. Two destroyers were to be build by Bath Iron Works. By the mid of 2027 both ships were completed they were named after two biggest cities in Croatia, Split and Zagreb. CNS Split DDG-01 and CNS-Zagreb DDG-02. During their construction, around 420(210 for each ship) members come to United States to commence training and to introduce themself with Burke class destroyers. At the time when both ships were builded, crews are been ready. Both ships set sail for home in early 2028, with at least dozen US navy officers to guide the crew. With this Croatia become only other country together with US to operate Arleigh Burke destroyers, although Saudi Arabia also has plans to buy two or three. Croatian Burkes often called Split class (since CNS Split was first of its class) were infact the same as Block IIA Burkes, with few smaller diffrences, two 20mm Phalanx Block 1B CiWS were added instead of one, and instead of Tomahawks there were four vertical launchers for RBS15 Mark V ship to ship-ground missiles. Instead of two there was only one MH-60 helicopter(although Croatia buys six of them). In Croatia tradition ship also have its name ion top of bridge balcony added as well as ship(City) crest on the bridge wall. Thrid ship was in option but was cancelled by Croatian side. Instead one of Perry class frigates was chosen. US navy retired FFG-50 USS Taylor, and start to retrofit the ship for Croatian navy. Ship was overhauled, repainted, most of its systems was replaced with new ones. Additional 140 of Croatian sailors goes to the states to introduce itself with Perry class.

At the same time last of the new ships was added to the fleet, it was a new fleet oiler that replace the old one(almost 34 years old). This new ship was called Paklenica.

By the 2030 Croatia has around 20+ ships in service, around 2500 personal in total(1022 goes to the main fleet)

Composition of the fleet:

1x Danube class Command and untility ship(also the flagship): CNS Dunav(Danube) (Crew: 75)
2x Arleigh Burke(Split) class destroyers: CNS Split and CNS Zagreb (Crew: 2x 210 - total 420)
1x Perry class frigate: CNS Osijek (Crew: 140)
2x kralj(King) class missile boats: CNS Kralj Petar Krešimir IV and CNS Kralj Dmitar Zvonimir (Crew: 2x 35 - total 70)
2x Helsinki class missile boats: CNS Vukovar and CNS Dubrovnik (Crew 2x 35 - total 70)
5x Hvar class offshore patrol boats: CNS Hvar, CNS Vis, CNS Brač, CNS Šolta and CNS Brijuni (Crew 5x 30 - total 150)
2x Cetina class Utility- Minelayers: CNS Cetina and CNS Krka (Crew: 2x 12 - total 24)
1x Spasilac class salvage ship - CNS Faust Vrančić (part of costal guard) (Crew: 12)
1x Korčula class Minehunter - CNS Korčula (part of costal guard) (Crew: 7-12)
2x Mirna class patrol ship(one part of costal guard) (Crew: 2x10 - total 20)
1x Paklenica class Oiler - CNS Paklenica (Crew: 35)
+ half dozen other suport ships like landing ships,

From 2030- Croatia start to participating in NATO missions, with CNS Zagreb been deployed on six month long operation with Nato forces against piracy in gulf of Aden,
Croatia was observer on 2032 Rimpac naval exercise, on Rimpac 2034 it participate with two ships CNS Split and CNS Dunav

Two of Helsinki class missile boats were scheduled to be retired in late 2035, while two King class are to be retired in 2037, all four ships would probably be replaced 4-5 new missile boats, or a single frigate, or two Corvettes,
i hope its good for start, i plan to add pictures of ships to,

Shipbucket

Croatian navy in 2030

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