Increased military spending, mandatory military service, and national defense scenarios are once again emerging as major topics in the Balkans. Croatia and Serbia are set to join the ranks of European nations that mandate their citizens to serve in their armed forces for a specified duration. While the people of the former Yugoslav republics are no strangers to compulsory military service, the current wave of remilitarization appears to be motivated by profit and governmental control. Croatia seeks to attract NATO investments, while Serbia aims to divert attention from its political scandals and declining political capital through rearmament. As a result, the lines between practicality and ideology are becoming increasingly blurred as the Balkans witness a resurgence of military activity, with Croatia and Serbia leading the way.
Croatia — A Key NATO Investment
Croatia’s Defense Minister, Ivan Anušić, has outlined the specifics of Croatia’s renewed mandatory military service policy, which will entail a two-month service commitment and increased compensation for soldiers and officers, commencing on January 1, 2025. In 2008, Croatia transitioned to a voluntary military system, allowing both men and women to serve in the armed forces willingly; however, amidst escalating tensions, particularly following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Croatia, and its Western allies are pursuing a path of rearmament and heightened military preparedness. Leveraging the fact that 17,000 to 18,000 boys reach adulthood in Croatia annually, the Croatian Ministry of Defense has seized the opportunity to bolster the country’s military capabilities, both as a NATO ally and as a regional power in the Balkans.
The Croatian government has unanimously endorsed this decision. Anušić asserts, “We are enhancing and modernizing our armed forces, aligning them with the expectations outlined in our agreements with NATO and its leadership. I am confident that our armed forces will be stronger and better equipped than ever before. Together with the Finance Minister, we have determined that no expense can be spared in the modernization and equipping of our armed forces.”
This renewed collaboration between the Ministries of Finance and Defense is poised to yield a range of enhancements for the Croatian army. The Ministry of Defense has announced plans to procure 62 vehicles, including the US Bradley M2A2 infantry fighting vehicle, the Finnish Patria AMV armored personnel carrier, and the German Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzer. Unverified reports also suggest plans to acquire various types of armed drones and US HIMARS mobile rocket launchers.
Serbia — A Red Spot in a Sea of Blue
In contrast, Serbia appears significantly underprepared in comparison to Croatia’s reintroduction of mandatory military service. Analysts have highlighted the abrupt and impromptu nature of Serbia’s military policy shift. This decision represents a dual response to Croatia’s reinstated military policy and several political scandals in Serbia, notably the public’s vehement opposition to the Rio Tinto lithium mining deal.
Serbia aims to reintroduce mandatory military service for the first time in 13 years, anticipated to take effect sometime in 2025. President Aleksandar Vučić has been using the reintroduction of compulsory military service in the country as a political move since as early as 2018. It has always depended on Serbia’s political and financial conditions. In the present context, this action directly addresses Croatia’s revived military policy.
Anton Tunja, a retired Slovenian military officer and member of the Balkan Security Network, has analyzed the position in which Serbia finds itself. He emphasizes the political pressure facing Serbia as a nation surrounded by NATO countries on all sides, with the exception of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, which host NATO personnel within their borders. Tunja suggests that Serbia has never been a military target for NATO, rendering such fears unfounded. He contends that, apart from ideological motivations, there are also financial downsides to this decision. “Based on my experience in the Slovenian army, the amount of money invested does not accurately reflect the returns. It is more advantageous to have a compact, yet highly trained and well-equipped army than a large contingent of recruits,” Tunja claims.
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