NATO chief Rutte praises Türkiye’s Bayraktar TB2 drones in Croatia

During an official visit to Croatia, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte inspected the country's new air assets, expressing strong admiration for Türkiye's Bayraktar TB2 drones. He highlighted the role of such investments in strengthening the alliance's collective defense capabilities.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, during an official visit to Croatia, publicly praised Türkiye's defense technology, specifically highlighting the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) recently acquired by Zagreb. Rutte made the comments on Monday after reviewing Croatia's modernized air force inventory alongside Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic.
Inspection of Modern Air Assets
The NATO chief was shown new additions to the Croatian Air Force, including US-made Black Hawk helicopters, French Rafale fighter jets, and the Turkish-produced Bayraktar TB2 drones. Rutte expressed particular admiration for the drone technology during a subsequent press conference in Zagreb. "This morning, I was very impressed to see the UAV technologies you have acquired from Türkiye," Rutte stated, acknowledging the strategic value of these assets for both national and alliance security.
Strengthening NATO’s Collective Defense
Rutte connected Croatia's military modernization to broader NATO defense initiatives. He noted that following past airspace violations, the alliance launched the "Eastern Centry" initiative to better protect allied territory from drone incursions. Croatia's enhanced capabilities, he said, allow it not only to control its own airspace but also to provide support to other NATO allies when needed, showcasing interoperability within the alliance.
Context of Arctic Security and Alliance Unity
The visit and Rutte's praise for Türkiye's defense industry came amidst discussions on other NATO priorities, including Arctic security. Rutte addressed questions about Greenland and regional tensions, firmly denying any crisis within the alliance. He emphasized that NATO members, including the United States and European partners, are collaboratively working on strategies to ensure security in the High North, with members like Denmark making significant investments in capabilities relevant to the region.
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