From Professional Army to Citizen Reserves: Croatia’s Conscription Comeback Amid Europe’s Security Reassessment
Croatia’s reinstatement of conscription marks a significant shift in its defense policy, nearly two decades after abolishing mandatory military service in 2008 to adopt… 
Croatia’s reinstatement of conscription marks a significant shift in its defense policy, nearly two decades after abolishing mandatory military service in 2008 to adopt a professional army. On March 9, 2026, the first cohort of around 800 recruits – primarily young men – reported to barracks in Knin, Slunj, and Požega for two months of basic training. This program, now active, includes fundamentals like weapon handling, first aid, survival skills, self-defense, and modern elements such as drone operation. The Croatian Ministry of Defense emphasizes that the goal is to instill basic military proficiency for crisis response, not to create a standing army…
