Zagreb, 14 November 2025 — The Agency for Defense and Logistics Support (Agencija ALAN) of Croatia and the Italian Agenzia Industria Difesa (AID) have successfully concluded negotiations on a bilateral Cooperation Agreement aimed at strengthening ties between the defense industrial bases of both countries. The formal signing is expected to take place in the coming days, pending procedural finalization.
The agreement lays the foundation for joint participation in European funding mechanisms such as the European Defence Fund (EDF), coordinated efforts in selected third-country markets, the possibility of joint procurement, exchange of information on tenders of mutual interest, and cooperation on EU-funded projects between the two agencies. It also reinforces the role of the Croatian Defense Industry Competitiveness Cluster, represented by ALAN, as a platform for advancing national industrial capabilities through international partnerships.
In a public announcement, ALAN CEO Goran Basarac highlighted the significance of the agreement:
“This cooperation agreement aims to connect the industrial bases of both countries in support of joint EDF projects and other co-financing opportunities, coordinated market entry, joint procurement options, and tender information exchange. It represents a major step forward for both sides. Notably, this is also a direct result of the activities at DEFCROS 2, as well as the engagement of Mr. Kristijan Ilovača from Sky Fort Systems, who opened the door to this cooperation — for which I extend my sincere thanks.”
DEFCROS’ role as a neutral industry platform
DEFCROS is an independently organized public safety and defense expo by Sky Fort Systems, designed as a neutral platform for stakeholders from the public and private sectors. Agency ALAN participated as a partner and exhibitor during its 2024 and 2025 edition, where initial discussions between ALAN and AID took place.
The achievement of this cooperation agreement validates the mission of DEFCROS — to create a forum where industry leaders and institutions can meet, explore collaboration, and lay the groundwork for strategic outcomes.
Sky Fort Systems, as the organizer, acknowledged the milestone:
“We are honored that DEFCROS 2 provided the environment for these discussions to begin. It’s a real-world example of how open and neutral industry platforms can facilitate meaningful, long-term cooperation. We congratulate Agency ALAN and AID on achieving this outcome.”
What’s next
The agreement now moves to the signing phase, with the potential to be formalized during an upcoming visit of the Croatian Prime Minister to Italy. Meanwhile, ALAN continues its broader efforts toward strengthening the competitiveness of the Croatian defense industry on the international stage.
DEFCROS will continue to serve as a platform for fostering dialogue, building partnerships, and supporting the growth of the defense and public safety sector in Croatia and beyond.
