ZAGREB, April 8 (Xinhua) -- The Adriatic Sea Defense and Aerospace (ASDA) exhibition, an international exhibition of weaponry and military equipment hosted by the Croatian Ministry of Defense, opened here on Tuesday.

A total of 235 companies from 27 countries present their weapons, equipment and technologies at the exhibition, which will last until Thursday, according to organizers.

At the opening ceremony, Croatian Minister of Defense Ivan Anusic announced that Croatia plans to increase defense spending to 2.5 percent of its GDP by 2027, and to 3 percent by 2030, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen national security and promote self-sufficiency.

Croatia is working intensively on developing its own defense industry, and is cooperating intensively with its allies. The military exhibition is an opportunity for bilateral talks and the realization of cooperation, Anusic noted.

"Our strategy is to support our companies that develop new technologies and new knowledge. We also want to become self-sustainable in some or most of the equipment and weapons that our army will use," he said.

This was the eighth time that the ASDA exhibition was held in Croatia but the first time in Zagreb, as it has become one of the most important defense, aerospace and security exhibitions in Europe. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)