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HKKOI Presents Awards for Outstanding Achievements in Defence and Security
12 awards recognizing excellence, innovation and contribution to Croatia’s defence and security industry
Knowledge, innovation, excellence and commitment to the development of Croatia’s defence and security sector received special recognition this year. The Croatian Defence Industry Competitiveness Cluster (HKKOI) presented 12 Defence and Security Awards for 2025 to companies, institutions and individuals whose work and achievements have made a significant contribution to the sector.
The awards ceremony followed the Public Call for the 2025 Defence and Security Awards, launched with the aim of recognizing and highlighting outstanding achievements, innovations, international successes, and contributions to the development of the defence, security and dual-use industries.
The Public Call was open from 2 to 24 September 2026. Candidates could apply independently or be nominated by a third party. This year’s 12 awards recognize outstanding examples of expertise, excellence and achievement within Croatia’s defence and security sector.
This year’s award recipients are:
- HS Produkt – Defence and Security Innovation of the Year, for the KUNA submachine gun
- 855th Firefighting Squadron of the 93rd Wing of the Croatian Air Force – International Cooperation of the Year
- University of Defence and Security “Dr. Franjo Tuđman” – Contribution to Sector Development
- Ericsson Nikola Tesla – Technological Development and Digital Transformation, for the XR4 project
- ATIR d.o.o. – Longstanding Contribution to the Defence Industry Sector
- Ericsson Nikola Tesla – Dual-Use and Applied Technologies, for the development of a private 5G portable network
Individual awards were presented to:
- Ivan Jelušić – Young Defence Professional of the Year
- Mladen Boričević – Excellence in Procurement Processes and Capability Development
- Cvjetko Obradović – Contribution to Institutional Development and Support to the Defence Industry Sector
- Alojzije Šestan – Leadership in the Defence Sector
- Marko Vuković – Leadership in Defence Innovation
- Vjekoslav Majetić – Lifetime Achievement in the Defence Industry
Twelve awards, twelve different stories, but one common message – the defence and security industry advances thanks to people who possess the knowledge, ideas and vision, and the determination to turn them into tangible results.
From innovation and new technologies, through international cooperation and institutional development, to experience and long-standing professional contribution, each of the award recipients has made an important contribution to strengthening Croatia’s capabilities.
HKKOI extends its sincere congratulations to all award recipients and thanks everyone whose work contributes to the development of a competitive, innovative and internationally recognized Croatian defence industry.
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Recipients of the 2025 Defence and Security Awards
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Lifetime Achievement Award in the Defence Industry recipient Vjekoslav Majetić, founder of DOK-ING, receiving the award from Minister Ivan Anušić.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Leadership in the Defence Sector Award recipient Alojzije Šestan, Director of Šestan-Busch, presenting the award to Ron Nuke, Chair of NATO’s Industrial Advisory Group.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: International Cooperation of the Year Award recipients – the 855th Firefighting Squadron’s international mission, the Croatian “Sky Firefighters”, receiving the award from Minister Ivan Anušić.
Photo:Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Goran Basarac, President of the Management Board, and Cvjetko Obradović, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Agencija Alan, recipients of the award for Contribution to Institutional Development and Support for the Defence Industry Sector.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Giorgio Trichilo, representative of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS), presenting the award in the category “Dual-Use and Applied Technologies” to Ericsson Nikola Tesla for the development of a private 5G portable network, received by Siniša Krajnović, President of the Management Board.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Goran Basarac, President of the Croatian Defence Industry Competitiveness Cluster, presenting the Longstanding Contribution to the Defence Industry Sector Award to ATIR d.o.o. – Agency for Technical and Technological Research and Development.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Defence and Security Innovation of the Year Award recipient HS Produkt d.o.o. for its KUNA submachine gun, presented by Minister Ivan Anušić.
Photo:Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Ante-Janko Bobetko, Deputy President of the Management Board of HAMAG-BICRO, presenting the Young Professional of the Year in the Defence Sector Award to Ivan Jelušić.
Photo:Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Ranko Krivokapić presenting the Excellence in Procurement Processes and Capability Development Award to Mladen Boričević, Head of the Civil Protection Logistics Service.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
SCeremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Goran Ogurlić, Editor-in-Chief of Jutarnji list, presenting the Technological Development and Digital Transformation Award to Ericsson Nikola Tesla for the XR4R – Extended Reality for Responders project, received by Siniša Krajnović, President of the Management Board.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Goran Basarac, President of the Croatian Defence Industry Competitiveness Cluster, presenting the Contribution to the Development of the Sector Award to the University of Defence and Security “Dr. Franjo Tuđman.”
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Heiko Borchert, Co-Director of the Defense AI Observatory, presenting the Leadership in Defence Innovation Award to Marko Vuković, inventor, designer and co-owner of HS Produkt.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Klapa “Sveti Juraj” of the Croatian Navy.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Ejup Maqedonci and Ivan Anušić.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.
On photo: Mladen Boricevic.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Klapa “Sveti Juraj” of the Croatian Navy.
Photo:Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Ivan Anušić and Vjekoslav Majetić.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Ivan Anušić.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX
Hyatt Regency Zadar.
Ceremonial Award Ceremony for Achievements in Defence and Security for 2025 at the International Defence Industry Conference “EU 4 Defence Readiness – Road Map to Future.”
Pictured: Siniša Krajnović, Ericsson Nikola Tesla.
Photo: Nikolina Vukovic Stipanicev / CROPIX