The “Tigers” Battalion of the Croatian Mechanized Guard Brigade has successfully completed a 72-hour final assessment at the “Eugen Kvaternik” training ground near Slunj, confirming a high level of readiness for deployment to NATO’s KFOR mission in Kosovo in mid-May.
The exercise, named “Tiger 26,” was the final and key step before the battalion’s international peacekeeping mission. Over three days and two nights without pause, soldiers faced highly demanding scenarios simulating real-life threats in the field, according to the Croatian portal Narodno, as reported by Klankosova.tv.
The training tested responses to base attacks, improvised explosive devices, and complex security situations, including human, drug, and arms trafficking. Special emphasis was placed on crowd control and incident management, critical components of peacekeeping operations.
Major Niksha Bosančić, the training director, emphasized that the brigade has a complete training system and personnel capable of leading even the most complex operations. Experienced teams from previous international missions participated to ensure a realistic assessment of readiness.
The scenarios were intentionally more difficult than real conditions to prepare soldiers to react faster and more safely during actual operations. Both physical endurance and psychological resilience were tested, particularly through sleep deprivation and continuous pressure.
Lieutenant Adela Zhlićarić highlighted that the biggest challenge was fatigue, along with the additional responsibility of leading the team during the mission.
With the completion of this exercise, Narodno reports that the “Tigers” confirmed a high level of interoperability and readiness for action in an international environment.
“Exercises like this demonstrate that the Croatian Armed Forces maintain a high level of operational readiness and reliability within NATO. Participation in KFOR is not only a security obligation but also a political message about Croatia’s role in international missions. For Croatia, it signifies increased international credibility and continuous investment in the military as a key element of national security,” the Croatian portal added.
