CROATIA’S DEFENCE INDUSTRIAL BASE – AN ECONOMIC POLICY PERSPECTIVE

This paper evaluates the developments in Croatia’s defence industrial base (DIB) from an economic policy perspective. By reviewing existing strategic and policy documents, this evaluation analyses the potentials and obstacles of Croatia’s DIB to become beneficial to the overall Croatian economy and a relevant supplier for the national defence. The result shows that the DIB in the Republic of Croatia is neither being developed nor sustained under a formal defence industrial policy/strategy framework. However, a systematic approach based on the Smart Specialisation Strategy provides a broad framework for initiatives and practices aiming to ensure viability and growth of the firms comprising Croatia’s DIB.