U.S. Navy ships frequently stop in Croatia for maintenance and mutual security operations. Over the past decade, U.S. Navy-contracted services at Victor Lenac Shipyard in Rijeka have totaled approximately $138 million, or 930 million kuna, which has directly benefited the port city and strengthened U.S.-Croatia defense cooperation. The U.S.-Croatia partnership at sea is essential to our two countries’ NATO military cooperation and shared security.
Defense cooperation between the United States and Croatia is a cornerstone of our bilateral relationship. U.S. military assistance projects directly help local communities throughout Croatia, with 4.5 billion kuna (over $700 million) in U.S. support invested in Croatia over the last decade for both civilian and military projects including joint exercises and professional education. Since Croatia joined the NATO Alliance, our soldiers have served shoulder-to-shoulder from Afghanistan to Poland to Kosovo. Croatia is a substantive contributor to regional stability and international security.