Spain’s state enterprise Navantia has signed agreements with Croatian firms AITAC and Iskra Shipyard to explore joint engineering, shipbuilding, and lifecycle support for the Croatian Navy’s Multi-Role Corvette program.
Signed at a defense and public security convention in Šibenik, the deals establish a framework for potential in-country manufacturing, vessel integration, digital design, and long-term fleet sustainment.
The move compounds Zagreb’s national strategy to involve domestic industry as it seeks to acquire two modern surface combatants valued at up to 1.6 billion euros ($1.7 billion).
Navantia specified that AITAC will contribute digital engineering and logistics expertise, while Iskra will leverage its capacity and recent acquisition of 3. Maj Shipyard in Rijeka for local assembly and testing.
The Spanish company faces global competition for the proposed warship construction deal, with France’s Naval Group, Italy’s Fincantieri, and South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries also signing teaming agreements with Croatian partners.
“These [memoranda of understanding] represent the commitment to Croatia,” said Alfonso Valea, commercial director for Europe at Navantia.
“We are a reliable partner and we offer our experience and know-how to strengthen the Croatian industry and to support the Croatian Navy.”
Bolstering Regional Security
Earlier reports suggest that the Baltic state’s planned corvettes will be adopted to increase lethality against underwater and aerial threats.
Among the fleet’s possible weapons are medium-caliber guns, close-in heavy machine guns, autocannons, anti-submarine torpedoes, anti-ship missiles, and multi-range air defense missiles.
It is also expected to carry advanced stealth capabilities and support solutions for a rotary-wing aircraft.
Once commissioned, the vessels will be primarily deployed to the Adriatic Sea located between the Balkan Peninsula and Italy, which serves as a southern European logistics route and strategic corridor for NATO.
